We have taken a school-wide approach to our STEM instruction at Meridian, in that STEM is not something that is isolated within classrooms, we live it amongst all that we do. Our teachers are constantly integrating project-based instruction into their lessons in order to challenge students' critical thinking skills. In addition to the integrated classroom instruction the students receive, they also are provided with highly rigorous STEM instruction during their library time each week when Mandy Batchelor, our librarian and STEM Lead provides them with additional STEM content that extends what they do in their classrooms. Mandy is integral to our program and has worked over the course of the last 4-5 years to continuously refine her instruction and lessons, and has worked to organize all the STEM materials here at Meridian.Â
3.1 STEM Instructional Approach Training
Teachers at Meridian Elementary have enthusiastically engaged in STEM and Project-Based Learning (PBL) trainings, including the PBL Certification offered by Equitable Education Solutions. These transformative trainings equip teachers with the necessary tools and strategies to design authentic learning opportunities that challenge students to tackle real-world problems, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity while empowering them to become innovative problem solvers in their communities and beyond. By leveraging PBL methodologies, teachers at Meridian create dynamic learning environments where students actively engage in hands-on projects that address authentic challenges, preparing them for the complexities of the 21st-century workforce.
3.2 STEM Instructional Approach Implementation
Teachers at Meridian Elementary School are implementing a STEM instructional approach in their classrooms, where students are actively involved in solving a real-world problem. By engaging students in hands-on experiments, collaborative discussions, and design challenges, teachers facilitate an immersive learning experience that nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity, empowering students to apply their STEM knowledge to address authentic challenges and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
3.3 Student Instructional Work Groups
At Meridian Elementary, 100% of the teachers are committed to providing STEM-focused learning opportunities that foster collaboration among students. Through carefully designed STEM projects, students engage in purposeful collaboration, working together with their peers based on the intended outcomes of the project. They actively question, brainstorm ideas, and utilize the design process to make informed decisions, ensuring a deep understanding of the problem-solving process. Each group member is assigned a well-defined role critical to the successful completion of the project or goal, promoting individual responsibility and teamwork. To ensure accountability, teachers measure and record the progress of each individual as well as the overall performance of the group, creating a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
3.4 Technology in Instruction
Meridian Elementary School embraces the power of instructional technology to enrich STEM learning for 75% of its students. Through the use of advanced equipment, materials, processes, and tools, such as data collection and analysis software, design applications, virtual simulations, research databases, and communication platforms, students actively engage in hands-on experiences that enhance their understanding of STEM concepts, foster creativity, and empower them to explore and solve real-world problems in innovative ways.