C-STEM

C-STEM

Sacred Heart Catholic School is a C-STEM School!

Catholic     Science    Technology     Engineering     Mathematics

C-STEM_Logo (2).

We are committed to the following areas:

1.  Incorporate Science/Engineering notebooks in 5-8. What is a scientific notebook?  Students will record their observations, drawings, and activities in a notebook.

Why science notebooks?

  • Notebooks are thinking tools.
  • Notebooks guide teacher instruction.
  • Notebooks enhance literacy skills.
  • Notebooks support differentiated learning.
  • Notebooks support collaboration.

2.  Our C-STEM program will be evident throughout the building.

  • Partner with area Catholic high schools for engineering lessons for our middle school.
  • Loan engineering materials from the  STEM library at the University of St. Thomas.
  • Scientists teach lessons to our students through a program called Science with Scientists to grades 3-8.
  • Experience field trips that promote STEM:   8th graders built a canoe, coding, planetarium, scientists visit the classrooms, etc.
  • Weekly hands-on lessons, K-8, using the STEMscopes curriculum.

3.  Teachers will incorporate the Inquiry method in our C-STEM activities in K – 8th grade. We want our students to learn 21st century skills, called the 4 C’s:  collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and communication.  This will be done through mini lessons in the classroom along with teaching units that integrate subjects such as language arts, math, art and music with the science unit.

Today’s students are moving beyond the basics and embracing the 4C’s. What does that mean?

  • Communication—Sharing thoughts, questions, ideas, and solutions.
  • Collaboration—-Working together to reach a goal-putting talent, expertise, and smarts to work.
  • Critical Thinking—Looking at problems in a new way, linking learning across subjects & disciplines.
  • Creativity—Trying new approaches to get things done equals innovation & invention.

View our video of Sacred Heart’s First Annual Pumpkin Drop
Each class had to design a cradle for their pumpkin using recyclable and biodegradable materials to prevent it from breaking or cracking when tossed from the roof of the school.

http://www.p21.org/our-work/resources/for-educators/1007

 

Our 3rd and 4th graders attended the Creativity Festival sponsored by Metro ECSU.    Our students used their creativity in a variety of sessions offered.     What a great day!

                                            
Making a solar powered fountain              Looking inside a human heart
using virtual reality

                                            
Looking inside a human heart                    Learning how to sword fight
using an ultrasound                                        like in the opera

Bibliography of Resources for parents

Why STEM education? Easy resources for parents to read & learn about STEM

1.  Why STEM?
http://stemcareer.com/why-stem/

2.  7 Easy STEM activities you can do at home
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=34603810&nid=1012&title=7-easy-stem-activities-you-can-do-at-home

C-STEM Resources for Pre-K through Kindergarten

PBSKids.org – Students can try out engineering with Design Squad challenges, use math to save the world in Cyberchase, protect the planet with The Greens, and conduct science experiments.

BillNye.com – Watch amazing videos and print out educational resources for fun science experiments to do

BrainPOP.com – Educational animated movies to help explain concepts and to demystify math, science, technology.

Scholastic.com/magicschoolbus – Based on the popular book and TV series, includes games and activities.

FREE Apps:

  • A Bee Sees
  • Preschool Dino Does Math
  • LEGO Juniors Create & Cruise
  • Shout Science!
  • Color Uncovered
  • Dot for Tots
  • Preschool Games – Farm Animals by Photo Touch

C-STEM Resources for 1st-5th Grade

KineticCity.com – A collection of science games, activities, and challenges.

Spaceplace.nasa.gov – Build your own spacecraft, play space volcanoes or browse through a gallery of sun images.

PBSkids.org – The ultimate STEM website for kids. Students can try out engineering with Design Squad challenges, use math to save the world in Cyberchase, and conduct science experiments with Zoom.

Funology.com – Science is interactive!  Make a tornado with water.  Build a Jurassic Park terrarium. Or learn endless jokes about bugs and insects.

KidsNationalGeographic.com – Learn everything about the natural world.  Watch videos, play puzzles and learn amazing facts.

BrainPOP.com – Educational animated movies to help explain concepts.

ThinkFun.com – Ignite your child’s mind.  Play online games that uses critical thinking.

www.code.org – Students have the opportunity to learn computer science in a fun way.

https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments/freefall.html   –Design and test a parachute.

https://pbskids.org/designsquad/games/dont_flood/  —-Don’t flood the fidgets.

https://codecombat.com/play –Code Combat

http://www.physicsgames.net/game/Hold_Your_Ground.html  —Physics games.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/challenge/index.html —Skyscraper challenge.

FREE Apps:

  • Amazing Building Toys Inventions
  • Hopscotch
  • MathShaker
  • BrainPOP
  • Flow FreeKids Puzzles-African Plains
  • Rush Hour Free

C-STEM Resources for 6-8th Grade

Exploratorium.com – Explore hundreds of different topics with a collage of over 650 science, art, and exhibits.

Games.NationalGeographic.com – Journey deep into nano-world.  Build the greenest city in the universe.

Kidsahead.com – A STEM bonanza packed with resources,videos, games.

Code.org – Learn how to build an iPhonegame, write your first computer program, or draw in JavaScript.

HowStuffWorks.com – A source for clear, reliable explanations of how everything around us actually works.

ThinkFun.com – Ignite your child’s mind. Play online games that uses critical thinking.

FREE Apps:

  • Cargo-Bot
  • King of Math
  • Monster Physics Lite
  • Scratch
  • Sector 33
  • Science360
  • TinkerBox
  • Robots for iPads
  • NASA Visualization Explorer

Students engaged in C-STEM activities

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Teachers engaged in their first class SySTEMic Integration

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