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STEM Education

A common Definition

The FrAY Ecosystem adheres to the PA definition of STEM:

"The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) defines STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as an integrated, interdisciplinary, and student-centered approach to learning that encourages curiosity, creativity, artistic expression, collaboration, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and design thinking.

STEM learning in Pennsylvania is built on the following foundational beliefs:

All students are capable of STEM literacy;
Iteration and reflection are an important part of the STEM learning process;
STEM education transcends the classroom walls, integrating into the community;
STEM education success depends upon the partnership between educators, students, families, postsecondary providers, local officials, business and industry."

The 4 Strands

Our model of STEM can be broken down into 4 Strands: Code, Build, Design, and Create. The 4 Strands of STEM represent the actions, practices, and habits of mind students will utilize in order to grow the characteristics and skills listed in the PA definition of STEM.

Problem Solving

Critical Thinking

Creativity

Artistic Expression

Problem Solving

Critical Thinking

Collaboration

Design Thinking

Creativity

Collaboration

Communication

Problem Solving

Curiosity

Creativity

Collaboration

Communication

Artistic Expression

Culture & Climate

We believe STEM is a culture that requires an accommodating climate. STEM educators must ask themselves: How we can create the conditions for the culture and climate of STEM to endure?

A teacher hands a student the dry erase marker at the white board.

Culture Considerations

What do we aspire for students to be?

Whose questions are being asked?

Who is answering?

Are students engaged or invested?

Who is driving student learning?

How can we encourage students to be interdependent?

Students are seated at a table and working as a group while another student takes notes on the blackboard behind them.

Climate Considerations

Do students want to be in these spaces? Are they comfortable?

What kinds of spaces are we providing for students?

How much control do students have over their physical space?

How can we promote autonomous use of spaces that suit students' learning?

STEM Integration

We believe in a transdisciplinary model of STEM integration wherein STEM is fused with subject area content, learning practices, and authentic questions and experiences. The key result of this approach is that students are engaging in STEM activities that are deeply connected to the community and global issues that affect their lives and they are exposed to the STEM careers that will offer them a successful future.

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