g3443 - Rationale & Overview

Welcome to my STEM Rich Task portfolio, this is a collection of artifacts that resume my journey as a participant in Microcredential STEM Rich Task learning experiences. Through this portfolio, I aim to showcase my learning process and the implementation of STEM education in my classroom.

Throughout my teaching experiences, I have witnessed the impact of STEM Rich Task in enhancing student curiosity, nurturing critical thinking skills, and cultivating a deep understanding of STEM concepts. These open-ended, real-world problem-solving tasks provide a stimulating environment for students to develop essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication.

I believe that students learn best through active engagement, exploration, and discovery. STEM Rich Task provide an ideal paradigm for students to construct their own knowledge, make connections between concepts, and apply their understanding to solve real-world problems. STEM Rich Task characteristics and Habits of Mind guide me in arranging the lesson and implementing it in the classroom.

In creating this portfolio, I selected a collection of artifacts that provide a comprehensive overview of designing, implementing, and evaluating STEM Rich Task. I believe that by sharing my experiences and insights, we can elevate STEM education and empower future generations of innovators and problem-solvers.

STEM Rich Tasks: Engaging Primary School Students

STEM Rich Tasks conducted in an open-ended and inquiry-based activity that engages students in solving problems, exploring for the solution, and applying their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways. The activity integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in a meaningful and engaging way for primary school students. STEM Rich Tasks offer a lot of benefits for primary school students including :

Promoting deeper understanding for the students to explore concepts in depth and connect them to real-world applications.
Developing essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and creativity. These skills are needed to face 21st century.
Enhancing motivation by allowing students to explore in hands on activity and work on on authentic problems.
Accessible for all students because it can make all students participate in the learning process.

The characteristics of rich tasks:

Accessible to all students
Problem posing and conjecture
Multiple disciplinary connections
Application and extension of knowledge
Cognitive demand
Open ended exploration
Engaging context and promote creativity
Promote collaboration and discussion

STEM Habits of Mind

1. Inquirer:

Students are naturally curious and ask questions to explore and understand the world around them.
Example: A student asks, "Why does the sky change color at sunset?" This question sparks an investigation into the science of light and the Earth's rotation.

2. Observer:

Students pay close attention to details and collect information through their senses.
Example: Students observe the behavior of ants in their playground, noting their movements and interactions.

3. Describer:

Students communicate their observations and ideas clearly and accurately, using appropriate vocabulary.
Example: A student presents their findings about the ant behavior using drawings, diagrams, and descriptive language.

4. Encoder:

Students represent information in various formats, such as diagrams, graphs, and models.
Example: Students create a model of the solar system using recycled materials.

5. Decoder:

Students interpret information presented in various formats, such as maps, charts, and data tables.
Example: Students analyze a weather chart to predict the day's forecast.

6. Engineer:

Students design and build structures, machines, and other solutions to solve problems.
Example: Students design and build a bridge out of popsicle sticks and test its strength.

7. Pattern Sniffer:

Students identify patterns and relationships in data, observations, and experiences.
Example: Students analyze a plant growth chart and identify the pattern of growth over time.

8. Experimenter:

Students design and conduct investigations to test their ideas and predictions.
Example: Students set up an experiment to see how different materials affect the speed of a toy car.

9. Measurer:

Students use appropriate tools and methods to measure and quantify their observations.
Example: Students measure the length and width of leaves from different plants and compare the results.

10. Predictor:

Students use their knowledge and understanding to make predictions about future events or outcomes.
Example: Students predict the weather for the following day based on current observations and weather patterns.

Designing STEM Rich Task Activity

Designing a rich task activity for primary school students requires careful planning and consideration to ensure it meets the characteristics of rich tasks and could develop habits of mind.

1. Identify the Context:

Consider the developmental level and prior knowledge of the students.
Choose a STEM topic that aligns with the curriculum goals and learning objectives.
Allocate the time for the activity, considering the complexity of the task.

2. Formulate the Rich Task:

Open-ended Question: Design an open-ended question or challenge that increase curiosity and encourages exploration.
Real-world Connection: Integrate the task with real-world scenarios or problems to enhance relevance and engagement.
Multiple Solutions: Encourage diverse approaches and solutions to the task.

3. Plan the Activity Structure:

Divide the activity into phases, including introduction, exploration, collaboration, reflection, and presentation. Teacher also could use EDP (Engineering Design Process), The steps are ask, imagine, plan, create, improve.
Utilize a variety of instructional strategies, such as demonstrations, hands-on activities, group discussions, and individual reflection.

4. Materials and Resources:

Prepare all necessary materials and resources.
Ensure the materials are age-appropriate, safe, and accessible for all students.

5. Assessment and Differentiation:

Formative Assessment: Monitor student understanding and learning progress through observations, informal questioning, and ongoing feedback.
Summative Assessment: Consider using a variety of assessment methods, such as student presentations, portfolios, peer evaluations, and self-assessments.
Differentiated Assessment: Adapt assessment methods to accommodate different learning styles and levels of understanding.

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