Designing Mathematics and Science Project-Based Environments: Spanning Astronomical and Atomic Spaces

This CPE proposal concerns a project-based environment created in a series of Professional Development workshops designed for 21st Century STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) educators. The modeled project-based environment is intentionally designed around the Common Core State Standards (CCSS, 2010) for Mathematics, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States, 2013) for Science, and the National Educational Technology Standards (ISTE, 2008). The primary purpose of this Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) proposal is to reveal how middle school science and mathematics courses can be purposefully designed for 21st Century STEM learners and provide evidence regarding how situated learning experiences will result in more advanced learning outcomes than a traditional or Business as Usual instructional format. The target population will be middle school inservice STEM teachers and the target science content for year 1 is Earth-Space Science and for year 2 is Chemical Reactions and Thermal Energy. NGSS practices addressed will include: Developing and Using Models, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, and Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions. The mathematics content for both years will span Ratio and Proportional Relationships, Mathematics of Scale and Numbers (expressions using Scientific Notation), Modeling with Mathematics, Reasoning Abstractly, and Constructing Viable Arguments. During year 1 the modeled environment will utilize the Realistic Explorations in Astronomical Learning (REAL) curriculum designed with a project-based framework aimed at allowing educators and their students the opportunity to experience the National Mathematics and Science Standards. During year 2, the Chemical Reactions Engineered to Address Thermal Energy Situations (CREATES) unit will be utilized where learners experience a project-based unit exploring chemical reactions and thermal energy. Through project work, learners formulate questions, engineer research methods and design solutions, collect and analyze data, and communicate their findings. Each June, an intense three-day workshop will be employed. During the months of July and August, inservice teachers will participate in a three-hour workshop that meets virtually. During the academic year, one Friday each month teachers will convene for additional PD with Project-based Instruction. Teachers will experience, create, implement, and evaluate STEM project-based units in multiple contexts. These units will be purposefully integrated and aligned with the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. NGSS Lead States. (2013). Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.