Summer is STEAMing
No matter what you call it, STEM/STEAM/STREAM is making its way through classrooms and changing the face of education. Teaching is not what it once was, as we are preparing students for jobs that don't even exist yet. The way we teach 21st century learners is to foster collaborative, student-driven learning that is based in critical thinking, problem solving, and innovation, where we believe in the power of yet and that process is more important than product.
I attended a Teacher STEAM Camp at Plum Borough School District in coordination with ABC Create where teachers were given the tools and time to explore various STEAM ideas. This was the perfect opportunity for me. Professional development sessions don't usually focus on the actual technology tools since those change so frequently. They usually focus on the ideas and theories behind changing education - student-driven, 21st century, using technology to create and not absorb. Before this conference I felt like I had all of that background knowledge of how to effectively incorporate technology into the classroom, but this camp gave me the tools (some familiar, some new to me) to do so.
Based on the camp, I compiled a list of tools that could be incorporated into a STEAM activity/lesson.
Virtual Reality - Oculus Rift, Google Expeditions, HP Reveal
3D printing - objects, pancakes
Laser Engraving
Vinyl cutting and heat pressing
360 degree cameras
Infographics using Canva and Piktochart
All of these ideas were engaging and could be applied to any classroom, any subject in a variety of ways. As educators, we had important discussions about the application and value of these tools, reminding each other that it's more about HOW you use the tool than it is about the tool itself.
Overall, the Teacher STEAM Camp left me with one main message.
Education is always changing. The world is always changing. What doesn't change is that teachers need to provide their students with learning experiences that help them succeed in life. STEAM is part of that.
