A Path for STEM

"Due to the increase in STEM related jobs in today’s world, St. Paul's in New Ulm developed a scaffolded STEM program to enhance our K-8 curriculum. This program focuses on algorithmic thinking, coding, circuits and robotics, and has a goal of having our 8th grade students well-prepared to enroll in STEM related courses in high school.

As we walk through this program you will have an opportunity to use a STEM activity at each grade level, K-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. Through these activities you will use the 21st century skills of collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking as you integrate science, mathematics and engineering."

Michael Plocher, M.S.Ed. is a middle school STEM educator and director of technology at St. Paul Lutheran School in New Ulm. He also is an adjunct instructor at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, where he teaches the education course Teaching with Technology. Over the past 28 years he has promoted the inclusion of technology in instruction at the local, district, and synod levels and is a regular presenter of educational technology topics.