STEM Best Practices Conference

Mikaela Campbell

McKay Student Ambassador

Early Childhood Education

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Through nature, patterns, and innovation we can better understand and appreciate the beauty and order of the world God created. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) encourages curiosity, creativity, discovery, and problem-solving as we explore the world around us. STEM Best Practices is a conference for K-12 educators. The event begins with a keynote speaker followed by four breakout sessions and information booths designed to support educators in incorporating STEM in their classrooms.

The conference featured a variety of breakout sessions focused on topics such as nature, robotics, animals, and integrating STEM within different subjects. Sessions were led by teachers, instructional coaches, coordinators, specialists, and other education professionals. Representatives from the Zoo, Aquarium, and Natural History Museum also shared resources and opportunities available to support educators. The sessions offered insights into multiple grades, use of core standards, and how STEM could be integrated in a classroom.

What are the sessions like?

You get to choose! Each breakout session provided a brief description and identified the grade levels most closely aligned with its content. Here are the grade levels for each breakout session:

• PreK-2

• Grades 3-5

• Grades 6-8

• Grades 9-12

• Mixed Grades

  
  

For an inside look of the break out sessions I'll share which ones I participated in!

Integration IRL: This first session focused on integrating geometry and art through simple Zentangles. We played a dice game where each time we rolled the dice we'd either create a simple shape, use that same shape to make a new pattern, or create a background using the shape. An activity like this can help prepare students to create their own Zentangles by encouraging them to come up with their own patterns and designs. Zentangles are a way for students to practice geometry while also building their focus, patience, and creativity.

Tree Detectives: During the next session we used a kit you could use with your own students. This included a tree cookie (featured below), a ruler, a magnifying square, and a detective workbook. This lesson has students be tree detectives and find out why the trees are dying. They examine tree rings to determine the age of the tree, learn how water and sunlight impact tree growth, and develop their own questions and theories about what may have affected the trees. This lesson focused on scientific thinking and observation where students can better understand a part of nature they encounter everywhere.

Learning in Motion: The next session was focused on looking for patterns in nature. You could do this by exploring outside or going on nature walks. You can also bring nature into the classroom. During the session we went outside where we observed and looked for patterns we saw in nature. We then created our own patterns using materials from nature such as leaves, pinecones, and sticks. This is a great activity to help students make connections with nature and explore the environment.

Snail Science Across Grade Levels: I have never been into insects so this last session made me a little nervous. However, it ended up being a really interesting experience and can be a great way to engage students. There is a lot that students can learn through the observation and investigation of snails. We observed snails moving across a plastic tray and developed questions based on what we noticed. We learned about their mucus and how it helps them move and protect themselves, as well as the different purposes of their antennas. We took our observation a step further by placing the snails on different surfaces to see what would happen to their trail or how they would react. This activity can help students gain a higher understanding through scientific thinking and observation.

To learn more about STEM Best Practices click here.

And check out our blog on the Arts Express conference to learn more about arts integration

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