STEM in the classroom

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Cari Reid
School Site
Truckee Elementary
Grant Category
Misc.
Grant Date
2018-04-30T12:00:00
Description

The items listed to be granted are center activities that will be used everyday in the classroom using STEM education. STEM is Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering. The items and their descriptions are listed as follows:

Real-Working Cash Register

Kids can ring up the fun with our real-working cash register! The built-in calculator and digital display let kids add, subtract, multiply and divide as they ring up pretend purchases. The cash drawer even pops open so children can figure out the correct change! 10 1/2" cash register has a large, solar-powered digital display; includes a “credit card” and play money.
Develops skills in measurement & data, money, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

item# PP723

Design & Build Engineering Centers

What makes a bridge strong? How do vehicles roll, tow and carry things? Our engaging building centers teach kids to look closer at real-life designs—and make original structures that use the same important elements! Created to encourage open-ended building with minimal teacher involvement, each center includes 8 photo cards showing actual bridges, vehicles and buildings, plus tons of hands-on manipulatives that invite children to build, explore & engineer—again & again! For easy reference, the back of each photo card explains key elements for each design—so it’s easy to guide children’s learning. All 3 centers, each in an 11 1/2" plastic storage tub.

Topics include science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

item# PP750X

STEM Stories Paperback Library

Stories of problem solvers and inventors motivate children to get creative and think critically! Inside the pages of these books, children will find a colorful introduction to the world of STEM thinking. Inspiring characters will spark children’s curiosity…and get them excited to solve problems, too. You get 12 paperback books.
Topics include imagination, inventions, design and engineering.
Develops skills in STEM, critical thinking and problem solving.

item# RA226

Real-World STEM Challenges - K-Gr. 1

Kids construct a working parachute, design a leakproof roof and engineer a floating raft! Our kit was specially developed to help children think like real scientists and engineers as they explore the STEM design process and solve problems—students plan, build and test their designs, then improve them until they are successful. Kit comes packed with everything needed to work through 3 exciting challenges…plus detailed lesson plans that make it easy to focus students’ learning and explain the STEM concepts behind each challenge. You even get careers cards that apply what kids are learning to the real world! Kit includes everything shown. Cards measure 8 1/2" x 11". 

Develops skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, design, critical thinking, problem solving, mastering 21st-century skills, cooperative learning and perseverance.

Mobile STEM Station

Our cart isn’t just perfect for storage and organization—kids can even use it as an engineering activity center! The rolling cart features a giant 1" grid and rulers on top for building and measuring, plus a magnetic write & wipe board on each side where kids can experiment with magnets, plan their designs and more. We’ve even included 3 roomy cubbies and 2 wide, spacious shelves on the bottom for storing and organizing tons of STEM materials. Plus, with 4 locking casters, it’s a cinch to roll around the classroom—and the wipe-clean laminate surfaces make it a breeze to clean! Cart measures 38"w x 19"d x 24"h. GREENGUARD® Certified.

How Much Does It Weigh? Measurement Center

Students get an instant, visual grasp of measurement concepts like heavy, light, balance & more…as they conduct simple investigations with our hands-on center! It includes 24 activity cards with illustrated instructions that are just right for beginners…plus a balance scale to compare & contrast 40 manipulatives! Scale is 12 3/4"; with a 9" wooden card stand.

item# LL407

How Much Does It Hold? Measurement Center

Students get an instant, visual grasp of measurement concepts like capacity & volume…as they conduct simple investigations with our hands-on center! It includes 24 activity cards with illustrated instructions that are just right for beginners…plus 11 tools for pouring & filling—from measuring cups to a bucket! Tub is 13 1/2" long; with a 9" wooden card stand.

item# LL418

How Long Is It? Measurement Center

Students get an instant, visual grasp of measurement concepts like length & width…as they conduct simple investigations with our hands-on center! It includes 24 activity cards with illustrated instructions that are just right for beginners, plus 130 manipulatives to measure & compare! Measurement feet are 12" long; with a 9" wooden card stand.

item# LL443

Benefits of Program

In the kindergarten classroom, hands-on activities are crucial to student learning. With 21st century learning STEM activities can be played with in small groups where students are working together to collaborate, design, build and work together to create a project. I am always looking for ways to inspire and motivate my students, particularly when it comes to making “big changes” in our world.  So many of our students are constantly brainstorming, inventing, and problem solving in ways that have great potentials to make our world better. These classroom supplies will provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for our young inventors to see their original ideas become realities.

A quality STEM program provides the following benefits:

It is motivating, engaging, real-world inspired. Knowledge is taught the way it is used in the real world, with concepts and subjects interwoven seamlessly. Students integrate and apply meaningful and important content. There is purpose and reason behind everything taught and learned.

Success of Program

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Each subject or pillar is part of the greater whole of the lesson plan. So instead of teaching math as separate from technology or science, the concepts work together. Creating an interdisciplinary approach to instruction that resembles knowledge use in real life. Using these will let students work in small groups and lessons can be differentiated for students learning at various levels. 

Students are given success by engaging and apply concepts in a deeper, more thorough way, leading to a greater understanding of the concepts.

~STEM is creative and adapatble making it accessible to children of all levels of ability. Even within one team, various ability levels can work together and learn together.

~ The teaching methods are process-focused, and student-centered.

~ Lessons incorporate interest led investigations that provide students with ownership over their learning.

~ Teamwork, collaboration and communication is a major focus.

~ Students have the freedom to thinking critically, creatively and to innovative.

~ Opportunities are provided for students to fail and try again in a safe environment.

~ STEM embraces the 4 C's identified as key 21st century skills – Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Communication.

Implementation

This project will be implemented everyday in various ways. The math activities align with the Everyday Math Curriculum and they can be used in small groups. The Science and Engineering activities can be used during Science and play time in which the students are the use their creative design to be innovative. The plan for this is to be used in a small group center where students can choose various activities, (that are hopefully being granted!) to play with. 

Can you share this grant with your grade level or subject team?

Yes! The mobile stem unit is easy to move from classroom to classroom for our grade level to use. Kids can even use it as an engineering activity center! The rolling cart features a giant 1" grid and rulers on top for building and measuring, plus a magnetic write & wipe board on each side where kids can experiment with magnets and plan their designs.

Sustainability
This project is completely sustainable! All activities inside are to be left in the box when finished. This will be able to be used for years to follow as it aligns with the common core standards for Kindergarten.
Amount Funded
$1139.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$37 - Real-Working Cash Register
$149 - Real-World STEM Challenges Small-Group Kit - K-Gr. 1
$95 - STEM Stories Paperback Library
$399 - Mobile STEM Station
$40 - How Much Does It Weigh? Measurement Center
$40 - How Much Does It Hold? Measurement Center
$40 - How Long Is It? Measurement Center
$125 - Design & Build Engineering Centers
Budget Notes

I understand that my grant is over the $400 limit. I am a new staff member to TTUSD and my classroom is in need of anything that can help my students learn! I am very light on STEM materials and this will be a great jumpstart for the following year!

Shipping
$138.67
Taxes
$76.27
Other funding sources

I have used most of my class funds on various manipulatives this school year.

Supporting Links
https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/shopping_cart/shopping_cart.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C…
Notes

STEM is so engaging and fun for kids! I am so excited to get this going in my classroom and watch my students work together! Thank you !