The document provides an overview of STEM education approaches used in a first grade classroom in Thailand. It discusses moving away from a rigid timetable to allow more flexibility for project work. It emphasizes getting to know curriculum standards and categorizing them by knowledge and skills. The teacher prioritized asking questions to encourage inquiry-based learning and involved students in technology discussions. Hands-on activities like drawing scientists, schoolyard projects, and bugs for math engaged students. Community members and field trips provided real-world connections. Literacy was integrated to support all subjects. The key is bringing passion to teaching through flexibility, questioning, and involving students.

1. STEM Education
in a Thai First Grade Class
Rebecca Petersen, M.A.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction
University of Northern Iowa, USA
rebecca_petersen@rocketmail.com

2. Anubanchonburi Elementary
in Chon Buri Province
Mr. Sinchai Samphanphorn
Director

3. So, what is STEM?

4. Not quite.

5. Is it….?

7. Is it subject INTEGRATION
throughout the day?

8. We’re heading in
the right direction!

9. It’s an …
Interdisciplinary approach to
teaching higher order thinking skills
needed for real life problems in
today’s context.

10. Uh…what’s that
mean exactly?

11. Simply put…
Be a better teacher!
Some
Teachers
Expect
More

13. Well, then it’s time to take a back
seat and let your kids do the driving.
Wheeee ……
let’s go!

14. But come
with us, ok?

15. What you need to be willing to do …
Crash and burn.

16. Laugh at yourself and
My teacher doesn’t with your students
always know what’s
she’s doing…but she
sure has fun
learning with us.

17. Whoever says school
can’t be
exciting every day
lacks passion.

18. Accept that your students may have
better ideas and/or solutions.

19. Still interested in STEM Education?!
Here’s a look at the first steps
I took in my 1st Grade Classroom …..

20. With 37 students ...

21. Who don’t speak English …

22. In a very small room ….

23. Who don’t speak English …
With 1 Thai co-teacher

24. So if I can
YOU can, too!

25. Disclaimer:
Education
This is how I roll

26. Step 1: I burned my timetable
You might
have to be a
respectful and
quiet rebel

27. Before:
10:10 – 10:20
12:00 -12:50
8:00 – 8:30
2:30 – 2:40
8:30 9:20 10:20 11:10 12:50 1:40 2:40 3:30 4:00
to to to to to to to to to
9:20 10:10 11:10 12:00 1:40 2:30 3:30 4:00 5:00
SMALL
MATH ART SCIENCE THAI ENGLISH SCIENCE Club Extra Class
Monday GROUP
Khem Bird Becky Khem Becky Ao Thai Activity
Becky
READING/ Int’l
THAI MATH PHONICS SOCIAL HEALTH CT Extra Class
Tuesday WRITING Subjects
Khem Becky Becky Pom Rattana Becky Activity
Becky Bam
Flag Ceremony
Milk Break
Int’l Career /
Break
Lunch
THAI SOCIAL ENGLISH MATH MUSIC CT Extra Class
Wednesday Subjects Tech
Khem Pom Becky Becky Jaow Becky Khem
Bam Toy
Int’l SMALL
MATH SCOUTS Computer HISTORY PHONICS THAI Extra Class
Thursday Subjects GROUP
Becky Khem New Khem Becky Khem Khem
Bam Becky
PE SMALL
MATH SCIENCE THAI ENGLISH Chanting SPORTS
Friday Jan & GROUP
Khem Becky Khem Becky Khem Khem
Ought Becky

28. Timetable Issues:
• Life isn’t a stop-and-go institution
So why is learning?
• Not enough time to do project work, or
to go out into the community
• 1 period not worthwhile for parent
volunteers
• Creativity engineering is rushed / stifled
• Doesn’t allow for teachable moments
• That bell is an enthusiasm killer

29. After:
10:10 – 10:20
12:00 -12:50
8:00 – 8:30
2:30 – 2:40
8:30 9:20 10:20 11:10 12:50 1:40 2:40 3:30
to to to to to to to to
9:20 10:10 11:10 12:00 1:40 2:30 3:30 4:00
Thai Reading &
Math Grammar STEM Thai History Club Review
Monday Language Writing
Khemika Becky Becky Nam Various Khemika
Flag Ceremony – Teacher Becky Review
Khemika Becky
Thai
Phonics Health STEM Grammar Thai Social Convo Review
Tuesday Language
Becky Jonathon Becky Becky Jira Becky Khemika
Khemika
Milk Break
Thai
Break
Lunch
PE Thai Art STEM Grammar Thai Science Thai Music Review
Wednesday Language
Jonathon Bird Becky Becky Duan Malee Khemika
Khemika
Thai Thai
STEM STEM Thai Social Phonics Computer Review
Thursday Language Scouts
Khemika Becky Becky Jira Becky Betty Khemika
Khem/Bird
Sports
Review / Thai Intl Thai
Grammar Thai Language Chanting Khemika Review
Friday Assessment Subjects Language
Becky Khemika Khemika Khemika Meeting Khemika
Becky Goy
Becky

30. Step 2: I got to know my mandated
indicators for each
subject
intimately
Thailand’s Basic
Education Core
Curriculum
2008

31. What to do with your indicators:
Look at your indicators by subject matter
using a Know / Do / Be analysis
 What do we want our students to know?
 What do we want them to do?
 What attitudes and beliefs do we want them
to have: what kind of person do we want
them to become?
 How will we know? ASSESSMENT
That’s a
conversation
for another
day

32. Categorize by Knowledge and Skill
P1 Science Indicators
 1.1.1. Compare differences between living things and non-living things.
 1.1.2. Observe and explain characteristics and functions of external structures of plants and animals.
 1.1.3. Observe and explain characteristics, functions and importance of external human organs as
well as health care.
 1.2 1. Specify characteristics of living things in the local area, and categorize them by using external
characteristics as criteria.
 3.1.1. Observe and specify apparent characteristics or properties of materials utilized for making toys
or articles of everyday use.
 3.1.2. Classify the materials utilized for making toys or articles of everyday use as well as specify the
criteria for such classification.
 4.1 1. Experiment and explain the act of pulling or pushing objects.
 6.1.1. Explore, experiment and explain components and physical properties of soil in the local area.
 7.1.1. Specify that in the sky there are the sun, the moon and stars.
 8.1.1. Pose questions about the matters to be studied as prescribed or in accord with their interests.
 8.1.2. Plan for observation, exploration, verification, study and research by using their own ideas and
those of their teachers.
 8.1.3. Use materials and instruments for exploration and verification and record results using simple
methods.
 8.1.4. Arrange data obtained from exploration and verification into groups and present results.
 8.1.5. Express opinions in the course of exploration and verification.
 8.1.6. Make a record and explain results of the exploration and verification by drawing pictures or
writing short texts.
 8.1.7. Verbally present their work for others to understand.

33. Blah blah blah
blah blah ……

34. The Rice and Milk of Science
 Living and Non-Living Things
 Body
 Animals
 Plants
 Soil
 Materials
 Force
 Earth, Moon, Sun

35. Don’t forget
CONTEXT

36. Categorize by Knowledge and Skill
P1 Math Indicators
 1.1.1. Write and read Hindu- Arabic and Thai numerals showing quantity of objects or cardinal
numbers not exceeding 100, and 0.
 1.1.2. Compare and arrange sequence of cardinal numbers not exceeding 100, and 0.
 1.2.1. Add, subtract and mix addition and subtraction of cardinal numbers not exceeding 100,
and 0, as well as be aware of validity of the answers.
 1.2.2. Analyze and find answers to problems and mix problems of cardinal numbers not exceeding
100, and 0, as well as aware of validity of the answers.
 2.1.1. Tell length, weight, volume, and capacity by using nonstandard units of measure.
 2.1.2. Tell period of time, number and names of days of the week.
 3.1.1. Distinguish triangles, quadrilaterals, circles and ellipses.
 4.1.1. Tell the numbers and relations in patterns of numbers that increases by 1s and 2s, and
decreases by 1s.
 4.1.2. Identify the forms and relations in patterns in which forms are related in one of the following
respects: shape, size or color.
 6.1.1. Apply diverse methods for problem solving.
 6.1.2. Appropriately apply mathematical knowledge, skills and processes for problem solving
in various situations.
 6.1.3. Suitably provide reasoning for decision making and appropriately present the conclusions
reached.
 6.1.4. Accurately use mathematical language and symbols for communication of concepts and
presentation.
 6.1.5. Link various bodies of mathematical knowledge, and link mathematics with other disciplines.
 6.1.6. Attain ability for creative thinking.

37. The Rice and Milk of Math
 Write, read, compare, add and subtract numbers
0 to 100
 Nonstandard units of measure
 Day and time
 Shapes
 Number patterns increasing/decreasing by 1’s
and 2’s
 Shape, size and color patterns
 Problem solving

38. Categorize by Knowledge and Skill
P1 Career & Technology Indicators
 1.1.1. Tell methods of working for self-help.
 1.1.2. Use simple materials, instruments and equipment in working
safely.
 1.1.3. Work for self-help with enthusiasm and punctuality.
 3.1.1. Tell the data of interest and sources of data around them.
 3.1.2. Tell the benefits of information technology instruments.

39. This area has the greatest
possibilities and yet gets
the least attention

40. Step 3: I changed my lesson plan form

42. Step 4: I changed a fundamental
practice in my instruction
I started asking
LOTS more
questions

43. What’s so great about teaching via an
inquiry approach?
Rather, an emphasis on inquiry asks that
we think about what we know, why we
know, and how we have come to know.

44. Plus, you get asked the
funniest questions.

45. Step 5: I accepted I’m not a digital
native. But I listened to what they
had to say…..

46. Thoughts about technology:
Since about 1933 educators have been
claiming that we’re undergoing a technological
revolution, yet the only dramatic difference is
the rate of production of new technologies –
not their impact on education.
Don’t be
technocentric!

48. Step 6: I stopped teaching math and
started DOING math.

50. Step 7: I read…a lot…every day.
Look for current resources.

51. Project Examples:
Draw a
Scientist Test

52. School Yards, Gardens and Parks

53. Amazing how motivating
“big people” tools can be …

54. I the Design Process

55. Kids love to
critique as a group

57. Give them challenges

58. Bugs are great for Math

59. Use community members

60. Think Themes

61. Mini Field Trip

65. Design
Process

67. Ask the kids
for their ideas
on how they
can show what
they learned

68. Literacy Supports Everything

69. Last Bit of Advice
Love who you
are, what you
do and those
around you as
best you
can…every
minute.
Passion is the
secret.

70. Thank you! And
happy STEM-ing