Unit Overview
Students read a story about a special person in STEM history, George Washington Carver. Carver was interested in almost everything that could use natural and agricultural materials. The STEM explorations selected help inform how Carver did his research and how he used materials that had been discarded by others. Students expand their understanding of some chemical processes. Students have an opportunity to explore the text type of biography.
Materials
All the materials in this unit can be obtained locally.
STEM Content
Science Topics: Colloids, proteins, fats, denaturing, saponification, polymers are topics used in food processing.
Technology Topics: Each of the explorations require using tools and adapting materials to solve problems.
Engineering Topics: A STEM challenge allows students to use their knowledge and skills to "invent" a new application for peanuts or sweet potatoes.
Literacy: Biography is a text type that allows for learning from a life story and examining character traits.
Assessments
Assessment of student progress in this unit depends on the nature of goals and objectives set. Given below are suggestions for assessing students for any work in this unit:
Process Skills: The STEM Notebook can be examined to determine if students are properly making observations of their work. Follow a rubric to determine if all aspects of journal writing meets what STEM professional would require.
Science Content: A simple content quiz can check students knowledge on important science concepts such as the nature of magnets. Students could report in any open-ended way by asking questions such as: "How do you make a protein into smaller chains? What happens when you add borax? How is paper made?"
Mathematics Applications: Can students take data and make a graph? Can they interpret the graph? Is the Graph properly labeled? Giving students a data chart and graph paper is a good way to determine if they have the skill to build a proper graph."
STEM Habits of Mind: One characteristic of STEM professional is a series of habits of the mind. Is the student asking questions? Reading about the topic? Following directions? Using tools and materials carefully? Trying different combinations of materials? Recording observations and actions properly? Working with others collaboratively? Teacher/Parent observation and feedback can work to hone these skills. See: https://sites.google.com/a/eou.edu/ventures/how-engineers-think. and a scoring guide at: https://sites.google.com/a/eou.edu/ventures/templates/scoring-guide-step-1-template