The students in my classroom are eager to learn using hands-on techniques and real-world situations to discover the importance of S.T.E.M. Without the proper materials to experience science, technology, engineering, and math, the students have a difficult time making these content areas relevant and real to them. Often, these areas of learning are not the focal points because of state testing, which leaves a majority of our students without a strong background to succeed in these fields in the future.
The goal of my classroom is to make science, technology, engineering, and math relevant and exciting for my students by giving them the opportunity to experience real-world, hands-on situations that encourage group collaboration and problem-solving.
These moments are critical to foster the understanding of these content-area subjects but to also encourage students to think outside of the box and find areas of interest that incorporate reading and math skills beyond those classes. The 21st-Century requires a sound knowledge of problem solving and collaboration, which can be applied and promoted in a STEM classroom program.
My Project
Without the proper materials to experience science, technology, engineering, and math within the classroom, the students have a difficult time making these content areas applicable and real to them. An effective STEM elective classroom needs the materials necessary for students to collaborate, problem solve, and to use their imaginations on a regular basis. Many materials are not ordinarily found within most classrooms because they involve learning that applies students' knowledge beyond that of the regular classroom setting.
The addition of an additional Breville Oven in the STEM classroom will allow all students to apply and integrate their learning from math and science to explore a new food sciences unit at the elementary level.
Students will be engaged in food preparation from making sandwiches, baking pizzas, and designing cookies and cakes (That will have a further collaborative investigation in art class too!) Food preparation is a basic life skill that many students need to have, especially when they are responsible for developing healthy eating habits. Because this oven will fit with many different topics, including food preparation, it can challenge students further to use their critical thinking and cooperative group skills to complete a task.
The food sciences unit is essential to students to explore many opportunities available to them in the future. The interest level in food preparation and science has grown considerably among elementary-aged kids in the past few years. To support and apply the learning of STEM and to also support the growing talents of my students, a further exploration in food sciences will be both beneficial for a healthy lifestyle and also untapped creativity.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Majewski and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
