Research Question: What is STEM in our school?

Brookwood Pre-K STEM Scouts are learning the fundamentals of STEM, and how it relates to the world around them (namely the school community). After acclimating to school, students are learning what it means to be a Scientist. They are learning to observe the world and people around them; how to predict what will happen in an experiment or even in a story!

The use of Technology is integrated into our curriculum. We will teach our students how to record videos and post them on the Seesaw digital portfolio. The students will take a variety of pictures and videos to demonstrate their learning. For example, the students could video what seasonal changes are happening around them. These changes in weather and other events (such as visiting STEM students or other scientists in the community) will also be recorded in their STEM journals with drawings and writings (with dictations from teachers).

Engineering is incorporated into their learning as well. We will be teaching the children how to think like an Engineer and use the Engineering process in their constructing- 1. Think: What is the problem? 2. Create- build a plan and construct. 3. Share- share your results with others! Students may build an animal and its habitat out of blocks or other materials. After learning how to engineer, students could use their technology to record videos of students using the Engineering process, and what their results were.

Students are using Math concepts daily. They are counting the number of days in the month; counting to see how many students are here for the day; finding and identifying shapes in our environment; using tools of measurement to determine weight, length or height; or creating patterns with different objects in the classroom.

Pre-K STEM Scouts will utilize the Courtyard as an outdoor classroom and help with the upkeep. They may be raking leaves in the Fall, laying pine straw in the Winter, planting seeds in the Spring in the greenhouse to transition to the courtyard to grow over the Summer. They will use journals to record seasonal changes in the courtyard, as well as record data on what we learn from other grade levels. In the Spring, students will record a video of what they have learned about STEM. The video will be presented to rising Pre-K families at Pre-K Peek.

Use of Data Collection:

Students will record data in their STEM in journals:

· seasonal changes and weather patterns

· concepts they are learning throughout the classroom through themes- ex. The Five Senses,      How Things Move, Shadows and Reflections, etc.

· visits from K-5 students and community members

· blueprints of anything we can construct to help the courtyard and/ or school

Partners:

The K-5 Grade Levels will serve as the partners for Pre-K students. Students from upper grades will present their research to Pre-k classes. Many grades will provide opportunities for the Pre-K STEM Scouts to participate in their projects. For example, 3rd grade classes will help Pre-K students sort food items that will be composted.

We also rely on families to educate students about their careers and how they contribute to our community.

Civic Contributions to our Community:

Students and Teachers have been working together to better different parts of the school. The first project was the newly renovated courtyard. It is now usable for all students’ STEM research and study. Pre-K STEM Scouts will assist in keeping the courtyard clean and ensuring that bird seed is in the bird feeders.

Pre-K STEM Scouts will also learn as much as possible about the K-5 Grade Levels’ STEM Research. They will help fulfill their missions of becoming environmentally conscience.

Integration of Core Curriculum with Research:

Students transfer what they are learning from our We Can Curriculum as well as their observations inside and outside the classroom. The skills that they learn in Pre-K serve as a catalyst as they become Nature Protectors in Kindergarten.

Literacy:

· We read a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts throughout the year. Selected texts are relevant to what is happening outside in nature.

· Students are gaining content related vocabulary while integrating phonological awareness, letter recognition, and beginning writing skills.

Math:

· Students are learning numeracy skills.

· Students are classifying and comparing objects by different attributes.

· Students are learning how to use standard and non-standard units of measure.

· Authentic scenarios allow students to solve and create real-world addition and subtraction.

Social Studies:

· Students are realizing how technology affects the world in which they live.

· Students are learning about different occupations and the tools used in those occupations.

· Students are learning about their community and what it means to be a member of that            community.

Science:

· Students are using their senses to observe their environment.

· Students are learning about the characteristics of living and non-living things.

· Students are noticing weather and seasonal changes.

· Students are recording observations in STEM journals.