ST1.5

Students demonstrate their learning through performance-based assessments and express their conclusions through elaborated explanations of their thinking.

No two people learn in the same way, so why would it make sense to assess all students in the same way? It doesn't which is why the students at University Place Elementary School are allowed to demonstrate their learning in a variety of manners. Alternative forms of assessment are critical to STEM learning at UPES because it is simply implausible to assess project-based, hands-on learning experiences with traditional paper and pencil methods. A few ways students at UPES demonstrate their learning is by building models, drawing plans or blueprints of a design, giving oral presentations and performances, or creating a technology presentation.

By changing the way teachers teach we are allowing students to take ownership in creating their own learning. Students are not only actively engaged in creating their own learning and assessment but also have increased pride in their work. By allowing students to express themselves in a variety of ways they are afforded the opportunity to make connections in their learning that were previously missing. Students are demonstrating deeper thinking skills and higher levels of mastery due to the paradigm shift in teaching and assessing at UPES.

STEM Presentations

Throughout the year students routinely build, create and design projects that allow for performance-based assessment and require them to demonstrate and explain their thought process and understanding of a concept. For example, fourth grade students built a fully functional robotic hand so they could explain the human skeletal and muscular system and how scientific advancements in prosthetic limbs have improved the quality of life for those who need them. In Pre-K and kindergarten students study transportation which then leads to STEM projects involving the design and construction of wheels, axles, and inclined planes. They are assessed in these projects by their ability to both demonstrate and explain how different heights of inclined planes effect the velocity and performance of a car. Another example is how we combine mathematics and Legos. As second graders begin to explore the concept of multiplication, specifically grouping and arrays, they build floor plans for Lego houses to represent parameters of given number combinations. They then use the blocks and grids to explain how their model fits the specifications just as an architect builds to spec. Other projects that utilize performance-based assessment and/or require an element of visible thinking are: creation of Rube Goldberg machines, solar system models, animal habitats and terrariums, hurricane-proof structures, 3D communities, Lego movies, and data collection through race track design.

STEM and Veteran's Day

This year University Place Elementary School and the Parent Teacher Association forwent the traditional Veteran's Day program, instead opting to host a STEM-centered tribute. The goal of this project was to create a school-wide event that would combine academic and cultural education. This was a truly collaborative event between all classroom teachers, special area teachers, administrators, students, and families. All students used the digital learning tool Nearpod to acquire background knowledge during their weekly library times leading up to the celebration. In addition, kindergarten and first grade students read the book The Wall by Eve Bunting and built their own walls. Second grade created personalized artwork tributes to give to specific veterans from our community. Third grade spent the week on their Chromebooks researching the different branches of the military. Fourth grade learned about different memorials around the world and then were able to design and create their own memorial model. Fifth grade students presented PowToons depicting famous veterans throughout history. In addition, the music teacher, Mrs. Shipley, taught the students Veteran's Day songs to share and sing with their families, teachers and classmates!

STEM NIGHT

Each spring our students hold a STEM Night. This is an opportunity for all students at University Place Elementary School to present their learning through their favorite projects to their family, peers, and the community. STEM Night is a student-led, interactive, hands-on learning experience for all UPES stakeholders. Over the past five years our students have presented their projects and experiments to hundreds of people from all over the community. On this special night they act as the instructors, leaders of their own learning. In the past they have given robotics demonstrations, taught chemical and physical reactions, explained Rube Goldberg machines, helped participants build famous landmarks from across the United States, taught their parents and peers how to code, provided cooking demonstrations with food from their own garden, and so much more.

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