STEM 40403/50203 Creativity and Innovation in STEM Education
This course in technology and engineering education focuses on the development and introduction of technology and engineering-based activities to support science and mathematics instruction in the elementary classroom. Through hands-on, problem based learning challenges, students will develop an understanding of the design process and the integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) often used to solve real-world problems.
STEM 40403-50203 – Spring 2025 Course Schedule – updated 2-17
STEM Content Standards
- Arkansas Science Standards
- Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL) – The Role of Technology and Engineering in STEM Education
- Arkansas Mathematics Standards
- Additional Arkansas Learning Standards
Course Resources
Writing a STEM Design Brief.doc – Writing a STEM Design Brief.pdf
Performance-Based-Assessment-Guide
Final Exam: Thursday, May 8 – 12:45 – 2:45pm
Week 16
Tuesday, April 29
- MagLev Initial Race
- Engineering a Play Presentation
Thursday, May 1
- MagLev Final Race and Awards Ceremony
- Engineering a Play (continued)
Week 15
Tuesday, April 22
- Reading Review – Guidance for Implementation – Remaking Literacy Resources
- MagLev Design Challenge Development
- Moving Along the Tracks PP
Thursday, April 24
- MagLev Design Challenge Development
- Moving Along the Tracks PP
Week 14
Tuesday, April 15
- MaKey MaKey Design Challenge Project Presentations
- Exploring the STEM Resource Dropbox
- Introduction to Magnetic Levitation Transportation – MagLev Design Challenge
- Reading: Remaking Literacy Chapter 6 – Guidance for Implementation – Maslyk provides strategies for how you can ensure that students are thinking, engaging, and creating in your (literacy) classroom. Reflect on these strategies by describing some of the various ways that you can make sure that this is happening and the various ways that you can celebrate your students’ success in your future classroom.
Thursday, April 17
- MagLev Design Challenge Development
- Moving Along the Tracks PP
April 17 – Vaughn Elementary STEM Night – Bentonville – 5-7pm
Week 13
Tuesday, April 8
- Reading Review –High Tech Remaking PP
- Introduction to Makey Makey and Scratch Programming
Thursday, April 10
- MaKey MaKey Design Challenge Project Development
Week 12
Tuesday, April 1
- My Geometric Creature – 2025
- Submit Final 3D Printed Design (Place your completed model in the box on our class shelf along with your ideation/sketches)
- Introduction to Makey Makey and Scratch Programming
Thursday, April 3
- We will not meet for class, as I will be presenting at the International Technology and Engineering Educator’s Conference.
- Reading Assignment: Remaking Literacy Chapter 5 – Remaking with Maker Tech – provide a brief summary and reflection from the reading and try out one of the ideas mentioned in the chapter (make sure it is one that you can access and doesn’t require any special equipment).
Week 10 – *Complete 3D Printing Projects before Spring Break
Tuesday, March 18
Thursday, March 20
- Introduction to the MicroBit – https://microbit.org/
Week 9 – Tuesday, March 11 – Southside Elementary School STEM Night – 5:00pm
Tuesday, March 11
Thursday, March 13
Week 8
Tuesday, March 4
- 2025 – Holcomb Elementary STEM Night Challenges – STEM Night Recap
- ArtBOT/VibroBOT Challenges
- Intro to the Frugal Teacher
- Homework: Brainstorm ideas for your Frugal Teacher Project – bring 3 ideas to share on Thursday – we will select teams and get started.
Thursday, March 6
- Frugal Teacher Assignment Development
Week 7
Tuesday, February 25
- STEAM kits (LittleBits)
- Intro to the Frugal Teacher
Thursday, February 27
- STEM Night Challenges
- ArtBOT/VibroBOT Challenges
Reminder – Monday, March 3 – Holcomb Elementary School STEM Night – 5:30pm – 7:00pm – please plan to arrive early to set up
Week 6
Tuesday, February 18
- STEAM kits (LittleBits)
- Reading Assignment – Remaking Literacy Chapter 4 – Low Tech Making and STEM Integration Through 3D Printing and Modeling
- Be prepared to discuss these ideas in class on Thursday
Thursday, February 20
- ArtBOT/VibroBOT Challenges
- Caine’s Arcade – Intro to the Frugal Teacher
Week 5 – ARRL School Club Roundup – Sonora Elementary School
Tuesday, February 11
- 3D Printing – Pens, TinkerCAD, STL files, Cura
Thursday, February 13
- Not a Box Design Challenge Presentations
- Reading: Remaking Literacy Chapter 4 – Low Tech Making
Week 4
Tuesday, February 4
- CO2 Laser -Putting it all together
- Homework: Complete your laser cut 3D creature design this week.
- Homework: Complete before class on Thursday – Tinker CAD Set-Up and Exercises
Thursday, February 6
- Introduction to TinkerCAD
- STL files, Cura, and 3D printing
- 3D Printing Technology Design Challenge – 2025
- Reading: Remaking Literacy – Chapter 3 – Recap the reading anyway that you choose – traditional summary and reflection, YouTube video, podcast, etc.
- Homework: Not a Box Design Challenge
Week 3
Tuesday, January 28
- Geometric Creature Due
- Introduction to the CO2 Laser
- Preparing for our trip to the Amazeum – https://www.amazeum.org/educators/
Thursday, January 30 – Unfieldtrip to the Amazeum
- Reading: Remaking Literacy – Chapter 3 – Recap the reading anyway that you choose – traditional summary and reflection, YouTube video, podcast, etc.
Week 2
Tuesday, January 21
- Complete Take-Apart Challenge (Pictures and sorting loose parts)
- Fostering Creativity in the Classroom
Thursday, January 23
- Reading: Remaking Literacy – Chapter 2 – Creative Pathways to Learning
- Paper Creatures – Geometric Creatures – Ready to present on Tuesday
Week 1
Tuesday, January 14
- Welcome to STEM 40403-50203 – UASTEM
- Introductions and Syllabus Review
- YouTube/Greenscreen Introduction Assignment – Due next Tuesday by noon.
- Reading: Remaking Literacy – Introduction and Chapter 1 – What the Research Says – Due before class on Thursday
January 16