Teacher Experience: “Earth Scientist – Alternative Energy” Task for 6th Grade Engineering & STEM Students

A Defined STEM Learning Experience From:
Beth Harrison
6th Grade Engineering/ STEM teacher
Mount Lebanon Elementary (SC)

Performance Task:
Earth Scientist – Alternative Energy

Here’s What We Did:
Using my interactive whiteboard, I started the project by explaining the Defined STEM lesson and walked students through the task addressing the essential questions and big ideas. Students went onto Defined STEM using their 1:1 devices and watched the videos and read all research materials while taking detailed notes. They used their research to fill out a survey on Google Docs so I was able to measure their comprehension of the topic. Through their research students were able to connect the dots on why alternative energy is important and how it’s being used in their everyday lives. Using their research, they created individual detailed brochures then collaborated with a group to create a website.

Why Defined STEM Was the Perfect Fit:
Defined STEM works because as a classroom teacher, time is a limited resource. To have a site that has everything in one place, the ability to tweak the lessons if needed, and assign it to students all using our given technology makes good use of time and resources. The topics are relevant and standard based-can’t beat that. Students were highly motivated in using technology to research, create, and send their work to me virtually. Students enjoyed the lesson because they were responsible for their own learning and could go at their own pace. It was exciting as an educator to see students fully engaged in learning!