Engineering Design Challenges (STEM) in Social Studies

      Students were seeking solutions to historical issues that causes havoc throughout regions in Asia within the past five years.  Their task was to create an engineering design model that would solve problems that were identified throughout a particular region within Asia.  For example, the issue of a 'closed' society throughout North Korea, some teams of engineers designed creative solutions to offer wifi to the regions under the premise that information is power.  Also, as a result of the Tsunami that devastated the coast of Japan, students created Tsunami 'bunkers' in which families could be spared.  Click on the video and observe the innovation and creativity of STEM in the Social Studies classroom!

*Click on my You Tube Channel button for additional innovative, engaged, and creative uses of integrative  technologies in the classroom 

Newly Developed Course!

     The Wonders of Moonshot Thinking is a hands-on, innovated, and exploratory class that will engage students into real world applications of the STE(A)M Movement and innovative  thinking.   The term "moonshot" derives from the Apollo 11 spaceflight project, which landed the first human on the moon in 1969. "Moonshot" may also reference the earlier phrase "shoot for the moon" meaning aim for a lofty target.  Moonshot thinking challenges students to seek solutions to problems and/or be innovative in their thinking as they develop an engineering mind-set.  Students will seek solutions to design challenges, learn the art of coding, and experience how technology is evolving in our fast pace global marketplace.  In essence, students will seek a sense of MOONSHOT THINKING as they develop  answers to unknown problems.  Students will also explore career opportunities within the STEM (STEAM) field and how learning/innovation occurs outside of 'silos'; in isolation.
STEM Engineering Challenge: What Floats Your Boat?

STEM: Knock Down Silo's

MCC Middle Students 'Knocking down the Silo's' of Learning!
'Knocking down silo's' is a reference to learning and teaching in isolation in which needs to become more integrative, relevant, and engaging.  Integrative approach to learning fosters students growth as they begin to connect to the relevance of task.  Therefore, learning becomes meaningful and connections of concepts spark interest in with student learning!  Having STEM integrate throughout my social studies curriculum is one of many ways in which I've been seeking to 'Knocking down silo's'. 
2015 Summer PD: STEM Model: Arts in Engineering Workshop