STEM Innovation and Design (STEM-ID) courses

This is a sample of the STEM-ID curriculum site.

To receive full access to the site, we must confirm that you have the required materials necessary for instruction and email us at ampitup@gatech.edu

Overview

The STEM-ID courses are 18-week integrated connections courses that can be taught alongside core math and science classes, either as Engineering and Technology classes or as general STEM classes. The curriculum requires that students use the engineering design process within a problem-based learning context, and that they actively practice foundational mathematics skills and NGSS-aligned scientific practices to solve engaging challenges.

Each course is divided into a series of four challenges entitled the Data Challenge, Systems Challenge, Visualization Challenge, and Design Challenge. The first three build different skills, and the fourth is a multi-week design challenge that pulls the experience together. All courses in the multi-year sequence follow a similar trajectory and incorporate many of the same skills, but within different contexts and with increasingly more challenging technological manipulatives. By the 8th grade, students are rendering designs in 3D modeling software, using a 3D printer to create prototypes, testing their product, and iterating on the design.

Links to STEM-ID Course Materials

STEM-ID Materials Master List with supplier links

This excel file contains all the materials that are needed to be ordered to conduct the courses. Each item has a link to the supplier that we used to acquire the items and the 2018 pricing. Click this link to view the file and download

Course Preparation Materials

There are a number of items that must be assembled or 3D printed before implementing the STEM-ID courses. Click this link to view and access the files.

Engineering Design Process Log (EDPL) - Web- based version

The creation of an EDPL account will require a few steps to set-up your classes before have the students creating their own accounts. Follow the instruction on this link to create your teacher account and to create your class groups. Once these are set up you will be ready for your students to create their accounts. Those instructions are part of each Data Challenge in Activity 0.1 Setting up digital resources.

Click here for edpl setup instructions

Click this link to go to the EDPL site

Click this link to access the pdf of the EDPL Evaluation Rubrics

Click here to download a pdf version of a completed example EDPL

Questions about and setup requests for the edpl can be submitted to edpl@gatech.edu

6th Grade STEM-ID: Carnival Tycoon

During this 18-week 6th grade course, students engage in four sequential challenges that guide them through an exploration of the engineering design process and entrepreneurial thinking in the context of a carnival. The course begins with students making a sales pitch for a new carnival food stand based on market research. Students then run experiments using a pneumatic catapult and design a new carnival game board with appropriate odds of winning. After developing skills in engineering drawing, students re-design the catapult cradle to change the performance characteristics of their carnival game. During Carnival Tycoon, students incorporate and practice multiple math and science skills, including data visualization, probability, experimental design, profit calculations, drawing, and measurement.

7th Grade STEM-ID: Flight of Fancy

During this 18-week 7th grade course, students pose as engineering consultants specializing in aircraft design. They have been hired by a new airline company to redesign airplanes to be more comfortable, profitable, and environmentally friendly. They will accomplish this through a series of challenges, starting with designing and testing different Styrofoam gliders. Students then examine the interior layout of airplanes, learn to use 3D modeling software, and finally, re-design a plane using a balsa glider as a model. During Flight of Fancy class students incorporate and practice multiple math and science skills, including measurement, experimental design, data analysis, and profit calculations.

8th Grade STEM-ID: Robot Rescue

During this 18-week 8^th grade course, students will focus on the engineering design process and entrepreneurship, while using science and mathematics concepts in the context of applied problems. The course begins with a short design challenge in which students design and 3D print a cell-phone holder. Students then conduct experiments using a bio-inspired walking robot. The course ends with an open-ended challenge to design a rescue robot capable of navigating variable terrain. During the Robot Rescue challenges, students learn to use 3D CAD modeling software and 3D printing technologies. In addition, they explore math and science content, including modeling, data analysis, scientific procedure, friction, and systems thinking.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (1238089). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.