Integrated Middle School STEM

Curriculum Addressing the Three

Dimensions of NGSS

Presenting Authors: Emily E. Gochis, Josh Davis, Ashley E. Miller, Stephanie Tubman
Michigan Science Teacher Association Annual Conference
THE HERBERT H.
AND GRACE A.
DOW FOUNDATION
Saturday, February 28, 2015 11:00 a.m.- 11:45 a.m.
Mi-STAR Goals:
• STEM literacy for
all citizens
• Improve STEM
Knowledge &
Skills
• Increase life-
long interest in
STEM
 Design an
integrated
STEM curriculum
for middle school.
Mi-STAR Team
• University Partners

• School Districts

• Individual Teachers

• Professional Societies
How can we improve knowledge
and interest in science?
 How can we improve knowledge
and interest in science?

Allow students to DO science, not just

learn about it.
 Through the vision of…
Next Generation Science Standards

“Designed to make science

education more closely resemble
the way scientists work & think … ”
2012: National Research Council
 Through the vision of…
Next Generation Science Standards

“Designed to make science

education more closely resemble
the way scientists work & think … ”
2012: National Research Council

Performance
Expectations
Translating NGSS into instruction through…

5 E Learning Cycle
Translating NGSS into instruction through…
Project Based Learning
How do we really get students to
care about STEM?
How do we really get students to
care about STEM?

Focus on relevant issues.

Importance of ‘MI’ Place
Write – Pair – Share

What topics are important in your

community and/or to your students?

 Write at least three examples.

Write – Pair – Share

What topics are important in your

community and/or to your students?

 Pair with a neighbor and discuss your answers.

Are your partners’ issues similar to those in your
community?
Write – Pair – Share

What topics are important in your

community and/or to your students?

 Share your thoughts with the whole group.

 21st Century Grand Challenges…
Relevant Topics According to STEM Professionals
Organized into…
Mi-STAR Themes
Organized into…
Mi-STAR Themes

Water
Resources
Organized into…
Mi-STAR Themes

Energy &
Water
Earth
Resources
Resources
Organized into…
Mi-STAR Themes

Energy &
Water Sustainable
Earth
Resources Environment
Resources
Organized into…
Mi-STAR Themes

Energy & Earth &

Water Sustainable
Earth Space
Resources Environment
Resources Systems
Organized into…
Mi-STAR Themes

Energy & Earth &

Water Sustainable
Earth Space
Resources Environment
Resources Systems

Food &
Agriculture
Organized into…
Mi-STAR Themes

Energy & Earth &

Water Sustainable
Earth Space
Resources Environment
Resources Systems

Food & Human &

Agriculture Public Health
Organized into…
Mi-STAR Themes

Energy & Earth &

Water Sustainable
Earth Space
Resources Environment
Resources Systems

Infrastructure
Food & Human &
& Built
Agriculture Public Health
Environment
 Do your local topics fit any of the
Mi-STAR Themes?
Earth &
Water Space Sustainable
Resources Systems Environment

Energy & Human &

Earth Public
Resources Health

Food &
Agriculture
? Infrastructure
& Built
Environment
 Theme-Based STEM Curriculum is Naturally
Integrated

Physical
Science

Earth Science Life Science Concepts from several STEM

disciplines are taught in one
Theme unit around a central theme.
Mathematics Engineering

Technology
Mi-STAR Units: Putting it all together

NGSS PEs

Themes
Mi-STAR Units: Putting it all together

NGSS PEs
Unit Topic

Themes
Mi-STAR Units: Putting it all together

NGSS PEs
Unit Topic Essential Question
Themes
 Mi-STAR Units: Putting it all together

NGSS PEs
Unit Topic Essential Question
Themes

Engagement
 Mi-STAR Units: Putting it all together

NGSS PEs
Unit Topic Essential Question
Themes

Engagement Exploration
 Mi-STAR Units: Putting it all together

NGSS PEs
Unit Topic Essential Question
Themes

Engagement Exploration Explanation

 Mi-STAR Units: Putting it all together

NGSS PEs
Unit Topic Essential Question
Themes

Engagement Exploration Explanation Extension

 Mi-STAR Units: Putting it all together

NGSS PEs
Unit Topic Essential Question
Themes

Engagement Exploration Explanation Extension Evaluation

 Mi-STAR Units: Putting it all together

NGSS PEs
Unit Topic Essential Question
Themes

Engagement Exploration Explanation Extension Evaluation

Unit Project
 Mi-STAR Unit Progression

6
I Cycling of
Earth in Dynamic Water Population
N Energy & R
Space Landscapes Cycles Dynamics
T Matter E
R F
O L

7
Cells, Growth, Energy from Patterns of
D Weather & E
Mutations, Genes, & Wind & Life &
U Climate C
& Diseases Groceries Water Extinctions
C T
T I

8
I O
Digital Natural Feeding the Energy Global
O Devices Hazards Climate N
World Resources
N
 Your Turn!
Brainstorm an Integrated STEM Unit Topic
LS 2-3 / Develop a model to describe the cycling of
matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving
parts of an ecosystem.
+
ESS 3-3 / Design a method for monitoring and
minimizing a human impact on the environment.

Unit
Sustainable Topic?
Environment
 Would you like to get involved?
Complete a Mi-STAR Teacher Interest Form

THE HERBERT H.
AND GRACE A.
DOW FOUNDATION
 Thank You!
SB-CEU # 3047
THE HERBERT H.
AND GRACE A.
DOW FOUNDATION
Support NGSS for All Michigan Students

@Sci4MIKids
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