Picture your last trip to the grocery store. The aisles are filled with options- too many really. For example, selecting a carton of eggs might take a little more time than it used to. You have cage-free, vegetarian, organic, pasture-raised, and even eggs enhanced with Omega-3 fatty acids. Scientists call this phenomenon “choice-overload,” and it can lead to us swearing off eggs forever. In my experience visiting hundreds of classrooms and thousands of students, many teachers are faced with a similar feeling when starting their instructional transformation with STEM or STEAM.
Related content: How STEM learning invigorates classrooms
As a teacher-leader and STEAM Innovator in Santa Rosa County, FL for the good part of the last decade, I have made some incredible observations that can undoubtedly help every teacher transform their instructional practice and better prepare their students from kindergarten to career.
Here are five ways to immediately integrate STEAM into classroom instruction:
1. Connect with an industry expert or professional.
Here’s some precious wisdom for students: “You can’t be what you can’t see.” One of the best ways to awaken a child’s future is to show them the possibilities. Don’t just say, “You can be anything.” Students need examples, interactions, and experiences that will provide context for future opportunities.
Related Content:
eSchool News STEM, STEAM, & Makerspaces Guide
The eSchool News STEM, STEAM, & Makerspaces Guide is here! It features strategies to help you integrate STEM, STEAM, and makerspace education into classrooms, and it offers a look at how these tools engage students and give them valuable skills. A new eSchool News Guide will launch each month–don’t miss a single one!
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