The goals and objectives of the DIY kits are multifaceted. First, that teachers readily have materials at their fingertips to teach STEM through a thematic or holistic approach, incorporating all curricula throughout the day. Science and technology is often left as an, “If I have time and can squeeze it in” subject. However, science and technology are essential studies for the 21st century student. A.J. Juliani states, “Our job as teachers is not to ‘prepare’ our kids for something; our job is to help kids learn how to prepare themselves for anything.” Karl Fisch adds, “We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented, in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.” STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education builds more than just content knowledge in the classroom. Soft skills such as decision making, compromise, communication, initiative, curiosity, flexibility, problem solving, and leadership are also developed and strengthened. Finally, students gain content knowledge and see that all their learning is connected, by eliminating segmented portions throughout the day. In our ever changing world, technology and science need to become emphasized in the classroom along with the 3Rs - reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic. DIY kits (Discovery, Innovation and You) include all a teacher needs to bring a holistic approach to teaching, incorporating all branches of the curriculum.
Link to Virtual Poster:
http://bit.ly/21PostersLink to Presentation:
meet.google.com/nmb-oboa-eqn
