Teach Every Subject Better: STEM Across the Curriculum
MICHAEL SOSKIL
QUEENS BEACH PRIMARY SCHOOL,
BOWEN, QLD, AUSTRALIA
Why did you choose to teach?
What is the purpose of education?
Decades of decline
For the past 2 decades, school has been increasingly driven by big data (standardized tests) and market forces
Focus on relationships, social-emotional skills, the arts, creativity, and critical thinking has declined
Education of the whole child (holistic education) has decreased
Language changes: "life-long learning," "personalized learning," "learning outcomes," "learners"
PROJECT LINC: HOW I FOUND MY WHY
UNDERSTANDING OUR SHARED HUMANITY
Gert Biesta:�Education Model for Healthy Democratic Society
The world is changing faster than ever.�Problem solving must be a focus in education.
Technology Advance 🡪
Societal Change 🡪
New Problems in Society
Design Thinking is how we solve problems.��How do we teach this skill to children? ��How do you want children using your subject content to solve problems in their lives?
Think of all the ways you have interacted with A.I. in the past week.
@msoskil
Artificial Intelligence
STEM (STEAM/STREAM)
Is NOT adding more Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Is a culture of problem solving in which all available resources and subjects are used to solve problems.
Involves design thinking
Requires creativity (and the arts are critical)
POP-UP CONCERTS BY THE FOX CHAPEL ORCHESTRA
Photo Credit: Teaching in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Chapter 1
SEL and the Design Process
Understand the lived experiences of those you are trying to help (Empathy)
Find value in those you are helping. Ask for something in return. (Shared Humanity)
What are the implications of how we collect and use data?
What are the unintended consequences?
MASLOW BEFORE BLOOM 🡪 BLOOM THROUGH MASLOW
Food bank video by kindergarteners in Cushing, ME
Global Vs. Local Focus
We are all connected. Helping others in your community is helping yourself.
Technology is closing the gaps between those communities – but also isolating people in ideological bubbles.
We are all a part of many communities.
School
Local
National
Global
My Students’ Global Connections 2014-20: �95 Countries+��
Virtual Field Trips
5 Clue Challenge
Start with the Experience, not the Curriculum
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
Global Competencies Resource Scaffold
How Do I Get Started? ��The PBL Progression
Doing ‘projects’ – NOT PBL
Learning happens before assignment
Little is learned while completing project
Learning is not relevant
Project Based Learning
Project is assigned before learning
More planning, less ‘instruction’
Learning is relevant if project is relevant
Problem Based Learning
Problem is identified before learning
Highest level of student autonomy/agency
Learning is highly relevant
What’s the difference between the design process and ”guess and check?”
Design process is informed by data
Planning should include information about how you will collect data to evaluate your design.
Qualitative data helps us understand the lived experiences of those we are trying to help.
How can the Design Process Help You as a Teacher?
“Growth Mindset”
Developing better lessons
Improving assessments
Classroom Culture
How can the Design Process Help Students?
Strategy for overcoming obstacles (in and out of school)
Develops critical thinking
Allows students to feel empowered
Sparks creativity
Students need the Arts, Reading, History, Math, Science, and the Humanities.��They also need to know how to apply what they’ve learned. ��They need relevance.
@msoskil
SAMR Updated for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Photo Credit: Teaching in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Chapter 1
How Do I Get Started? ��The PBL Progression
Doing ‘projects’ – NOT PBL
Project Based Learning
Problem Based Learning
PBL – Project or Problem Based Learning�What’s the difference?
Project Based Learning
Problem Based Learning
HIP Academy – Bungoma County Bridge Project
The Magic Words��“We should do something about that.”
Every problem in the world has a solution locked inside our students’ passions. ��Our job is to give them the keys.�
@msoskil @SPSEA #SPSEA22
Connect with Me
Email: mrsoskil@gmail.com
Twitter: @msoskil
Books, teacher training, resources, and more information: michaelsoskil.com
Get the slides and resources:
MichaelSoskil.com/Bowen