What is STEMSOS?

• What is STEM education?

STEM is based in teaching students four specific areas, which are: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Rather than teach the four areas or subjects separately, STEM integrates them into one subject and It is based in the real-world. STEM education challenges the student to create their own solutions to issues. This will bring a lot of students prepared for challenging projects that can be applied in real life.

• Why is STEM education important?

STEM education is important because it helps students connect with the real-world. It provides a large variety of challenging projects and experiments that can help students identify solutions for real-world problems or issues. Students that want a career that includes any branch of STEM, its education will support them when confronting real-world issues. STEM education will shape a student's path and mold their way of solving different issues.

• How can STEM education shape the future?

STEM education can shape the future because it will teach new generations about the evolution of technology and how to apply it. Students will have a sufficient amount of knowledge to make challenging projects by their own. Therefore, many generations will be prepared for future real-world issues.

STEMSOS Model:

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a constructivist instructional approach where students are engaged in meaningful inquiry of personal interest to them and where collaboration and personalized learning are emphasized. Research confirms that PBL is an effective and enjoyable way to learn and develop deeper learning competencies required for success in college, career and civic life. -Buck Institute of Education

STEMSOS is a rigorous, interdisciplinary, standards-focused, and engaging STEM teaching approach that is teacher-facilitated, student-centered and directed through sets of project- and inquiry-based (P&IBL) projects. STEMSOS PBL approach is to maintain the focus on standards-based teaching while enriching and extending the learning of students through PBL projects. The goal is to promote not only collaborative skills and student ownership of learning but also to promote student success in state and national standards.

STEMSOS PBL Showcase is designed to promote and share exemplary student work in PBL projects that can serve as valuable learning and teaching tools for students, parents, teachers, and other educators.