This document provides an overview of STEM education initiatives at Cloonan Middle School. It defines STEM as science, technology, engineering, and math and notes that almost all fast-growing jobs will require some STEM background. It describes how STEM is different by integrating the disciplines and using real-world problem solving. The document then outlines various STEM challenges, clubs, and projects taking place at Cloonan MS to engage students, including a STEM family night, challenges involving towers, boats, and fashion, and partnerships with outside organizations. It closes by noting the importance of support, partnerships, and grants to making these STEM learning opportunities possible.

1. Doug Degennaro – Cloonan MS
Jim Forde - Cloonan MS
James Forde - SPS grad/STEM major
A presentation to the SPS Board of Education March 23, 2015

2. What is STEM?
•S- cience
•T- echnology
•E- ngineering
•M- ath

3. Almost all of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade
will require at least some background in STEM.
http://www.changetheequation.org/why/why-stem/
It helps us make critical decisions about
our health care, our finances and our
retirement.
A literate nation not only reads. It computes,
investigates and innovates.
Why does STEM learning matter?
STEM jobs are the jobs of the future.

4. How is STEM different?
• A great STEM lesson, or unit, integrates all
of the disciplines together.
• In some cases S, T, E and M are utilized
simultaneously as student solve engaging
authentic real world problems.
• Problem solving, inventing, collaborating,
innovating

5. STEM= Failure and GRIT!
Failure is expected and embraced.

8. Engineering Design Cycle

9. What is happening with
STEM at Cloonan MS?

10. STE(A)M Family Night!

11. STEM challenges! (Spaghetti Tower )

12. STEM challenges!
(Balloon car)

13. STEM challenges (Bottle Lander)

14. Grade 7 - STEM challenges!
(Recycled Fashion Show)

15. Scratch
Club!

16. STE(A)M projects!

17. NSTA STEM Forum 2014 in NOLA

18. West Point STEM CFES program

19. STEMFEST 2015
May 16, 2015
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

20. What makes this happen?
• Supportive conditions- Building
Administrators, Central Office, Peers
• Partnerships- CFES, WEST POINT, NSTA,
GEF
• Grants- Awesome Grant, GEF
• Great students

22. Aluminum Foil Boat Challenge
• Goal: Design a boat that can hold the most
mass without sinking.
• Conditions: 2 minutes to plan
5 minutes to build
• Materials: Aluminum Foil,
pennies, water source
• Good Luck!

23. "You don't lead by pointing and telling people
some place to go. You lead by going to that
place and making a case." - Ken Kesey