INQUIRY & STEAM ED.2024/2025
Course Description:
Inquiry and STEAM Ed. A (1.0 Credit) , Inquiry and STEAM Ed. B (0.5 Credit)
Course Description:
Inquiry and STEAM Ed. is a course that empowers students to develop their own inquiries and investigations into compelling questions that they create with the assistance of the course instructors. Students will have choices in developing their own projects that are interdisciplinary in nature engaging with Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts and Math (STEAM) as well as the Humanities (English and Social Studies disciplines). The course instructors will guide students through the process of addressing questions that require critical thinking and analysis and provide instruction in areas to support student developed inquiries. Students will be required to complete presentations, research, and engage in discussions with their peers regarding their individual and group inquiries. Students will also be encouraged to connect their projects with local community resources, creating a hands-on student-centered approach to learning.
Student Learning Objectives and Course Competencies: Upon the successful completion of this course students will demonstrate proficiency in the competency areas listed below.
The competencies mastered through the student generated inquiries will determine the awarding of academic credit, and the course instructors will assist students in creating a plan to merit credit in the desired academic area(s) and will track student progress. Students must complete at least one collaborative inquiry per semester.
Inquiry and STEAM Ed. Course Competencies:
A. Developing Inquiries and Investigations (30 of Final Grade)
B. Content Area Specific Concepts and Knowledge (40% of Final Grade)
C. Communicating and Taking Informed Action (30% of Final Grade)
21st Century Learning Expectations:
Initiative and Productivity – The category represents students’ skills in time management, independence, production of high quality work, positive attitude, engagement, rigorous goal setting, and perseverance in learning.
Responsibility and Accountability – This category represents’ skills in promoting and exhibiting appropriate conduct as outlined in the student handbook and classroom policies, and demonstrating respect and involvement for school, local, national, and global community issues.
Collaboration – This category represents students’ skills in consistently and actively working towards group goals by contributing knowledge, opinions, skills and advocacy for self and others in a positive manner; it also reflects how students value and encourage the opinions and contributions of the other group members.
Inquiry and STEAM Ed. Portfolio:
Evidence of students meeting the above competencies will be assessed through class activities, student inquiries, projects, and a final portfolio that demonstrates their learning. Students will present their portfolios as part of their midterm and final exams to a panel that includes the course instructor and a representative of the discipline area in which the student is seeking credit. Inquiry design documents, weekly planning documents, inquiry tracking sheets, and student reflections on learning will all be part of the portfolio.
Textbook and Supplementary Resources: There are not assigned textbooks for this course. Resources will depend upon the inquiries, topics and projects that students develop for investigations.
Assessment Categories & Weights:
The final numeric grade in the course will be calculated from 90% Summative Assessments and 10% Formative Assessments and grades are rolling through the entire course.
Students must demonstrate Basic Proficiency in All Competencies in order to receive credit for the course and competency grades will be based upon the mean score for each course competency.
School Wide Learning Expectations will be assessed and reported out each semester.
Final Grade
The final grade in the course is calculated as a rolling grade for the entire course resulting from:
10% formative assessments
90% summative assessments with the following weights for the course competencies
Competency A. Developing Inquiries and Investigations 27%
Competency B. Content Area Specific Concepts and Knowledge 36%
Competency C. Communicating and Taking Informed Action 27%
Grading Scale: PD: Proficient with Distinction (90 - 100%), P: Proficient (75 – 89%), BP: Basic Proficiency (65 – 74%), I: In Progress (50 – 64%), N: Not Yet Proficient (0 – 49%)
Homework Policy: Homework will be posted on teacher website and updated during the week if necessary. Graded Homework will be part of the formative assessment category.
Late Work and Reassessment Policy for Summative Assessments: See Competency Based Education handbook.
Teacher Commitment: Dr. Geraghty will be on time and prepared for each class, prompt in the return of materials, and available outside of class for student assistance. Expectations will be made clear and in advance. Students and their ideas will be treated with respect.
Student Commitment: Students are to arrive at class on time and prepared (textbook, notebook, writing utensil, assignments). Students should schedule a meeting with Dr. Geraghty immediately following an absence of more than one day or if extra help is needed. All students should follow school rules and treat other persons and property with respect.
Rules & Consequences
Attendance / Tardy: Please refer to KRHS Student Handbook.
Food and Drink: Food and drinks that are not allowed may be confiscated. Bottled water is allowed.
Plagiarism: Please refer to KRHS Student Handbook.
Appropriate Behavior: Disrespect shown toward teacher, peers, or school property will not be tolerated.