As I think about moving Full STEAM ahead I am immediately drawn to ships. This may be due to reading my Great-Great Grandmothers' letters from ships while she traveled from the US to Europe, or is it because my cousin is currently volunteering on crew with the world's largest floating book fair currently docked in the UAE.
This led me to the "Ship the Changed the World" the SS Great Britain - the ship that is considered the first great Ocean Liner. Steam power bringing people from one side of the world to the other, making our world a little bit smaller, with just a little less risk, in a little less time. Enjoy a view into the world of getting ready to sail under "Steam Power".
STEAM has been powering the world since the 1800's - harnessing it into the world of Family & Consumer Science has been my goal with this research project. I think of how life has evolved for all us as technology has changed our lives in so many ways using science, engineering, art (design) and mathematics. Without the integration of all of these disciplines, our possibilities of travel, communication, relaxation, creation and economy would be limited. We can learn so much through the study of the integration of these disciplines. Even now, I learn about a ship I had heard of only fleetingly - and I can even play a game -
Where else can I learn how to build a ship? I hope it floats!
RESEARCH PROJECT
This past week was spent with little writing, but lots of ideas and implementation. Last week was a week off of teaching as I attending the NJEA Teacher Convention in Atlantic City. I had the opportunity to present 3 workshops; two in High Tech Hall and the third in a PD classroom. I enjoyed presenting a workshop -
To Market, To Market - a project based learning workshop focused on the creative energy and methods offered through Synectics. Having teachers help students develop their creative skills while "thinking outside the box" is a start towards the entrepreneurial mindset that current Fortune 500 CEO's are looking for.
I continue to work on revising my Literature Review - as I continue to reach out to other FCS professionals, I am coming in contact with others that are also trying to link CTE, FCS to the STEM and STEAM initiatives. Others seem to be focusing on the relationship the teachers have with integrating and incorporating STEM/STEAM initiatives. I seem to be a lone soul looking at it from the students learning.
Before leaving for break I had the opportunity to administer the first post-assessment - FACS to STEAM with my first group of students. I have not yet pulled the analysis, but that should be completed shortly. As I returned to school this week, I have administered the Pre-Assessment for the second marking period students. I continue to gather data, which is being collated and evaluated.
I have spent approximately 4 hours writing the Methods and Procedures. I am concerned that I do not have multiple assessments, but due to the short time period I have with the students, I am concerned that I will be too focused on gathering information while not having ample time for instructional intervention.
So like my ship building experience in the game, I am sure I will be able to build a "ship" (project) that floats.
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