In today’s world, students are constantly using different forms of technology in their daily lives and thrive off of hands-on learning. It is important as educators that we are utilizing the strengths of our students to better their learning of different skills and concepts. In this society, it is a continuing concern that students are lacking the necessary technological skills and knowledge to be successful in the future workforce. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education teaches important critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as content knowledge. For students to be more successful and prepared, they need to have deeper authentic learning experiences.
Research
My research focused mainly on the implementation of STEM instruction into a 4th grade electricity unit, in comparison to using a more traditional learning setting. I began my research by gathering pretest data to gather
a baseline of my students prior knowledge, then I taught my students about 4th grade basic concepts covering the electricity unit. All of my students participated in learning the same content, however, the instructional method and some activities were different
between the two groups. One group received STEM instruction that encouraged student exploration through scientific inquiry to learn about electricity, while the other group learned through more traditional instruction with guided lab work.
Ashley Adkins is a 2015 graduate of Bowling Green State University’s Middle Childhood Education Program. She returned to BGSU in Fall of 2016 to earn her Master of Education in Classroom Technology, which she will graduate from in December of 2018. She is currently a 6th grade science teacher at Maumee City Schools located in Maumee, Ohio. Ashley currently resides in Perrysburg, Ohio and loves going on nature walks and exploring new recipes in the kitchen.
STEM in the Classroom
About the Author
By Ashley Adkins