STEAM Program Overview (Areas of Focus)
The following is an overview of the guiding areas/components of the DHS STEAM program. It is applicable to both independent studies and classes.
* I recommend that the DHS STEAM program use the Iowa STEM Acclerator Map to have students address these areas before they begin their respective projects, pending approval by a teacher and/or STEAM committee
Research
*Article Review related to approved topic
*Lit Review related to approved topic
*Write/present original research paper/article or some facsimile of (Much of this can be modeled along the lines of the High School Journal Club at Van Andel Institute)
Applied Learning (includes materials such as technology and other resources needed to execute various projects)
*Number of hours of lab/fieldwork/manufacturing/chosen projects and/or topics related to STEAM (set a required amount)
*Certain number of fieldtrips (professional events; visits to businesses, universities, and career fairs). (set a required number)
*Other types of engagement activities such as Skype interviews with relevant career professionals or contacts with institutions, webinairs.
*Students will reflect upon what they learned as a result of these experiences (can be integrated as a part of a digital portfolio)
Design/Problem Solving Thinking
*Students will learn and apply problem solving method methodologies (TRIZ, Lean, Six Sigma, Art of Trouble Shooting, and Kata)
*Students will learn and apply design thinking such as: abstract design, backward thinking, contextual design, intuition, visual thinking, gamification, feedback loop, first principles etc.
*Students will reflect on the types of design thinking/problem methodologies they employed while working on their projects (again, this can be a part of a learning portfolio)
Entrepreneurship
* As part of their projects, students must research any relevant trademarks/copyright in order to understand how to apply for them and aviod infringement issues
*Students will learn how to apply for a patent and be encouraged to do so for promising inventions
*Students will learn about quality examples of grant writing, crowdfunding, and other means to raise money for promising efforts
* A SWOT analysis and marketing/branding concepts should be part of the entrepreneurship component of STEAM classes/independent studies
Final Note:
I would like for students to keep a digital portfolio that documents their work. This will allow them to not only collect artifacts related to their learning, but also to provide ample opportunities for reflection. Additionally, students can present their initiatives to a committee comprised of staff/students and potentially community members. Such a form of assessment lends itself well to mastery learning (going beyond traditional grading).