Top 3 STEM Teacher Tips To Get Ready For Fall
Having extra time during the summer is a gift. I like to use some of this time to prepare for the new school year. It's essential for STEM teachers to take advantage of these months to prepare for a successful and engaging fall semester. Here are three key tips to help you get ready for the upcoming school year. When the beginning of the year rolls around, the more you have prepped the smoother your year will roll out. If you would like a checklist of these tips to help you prepare click here.
1. Plan Engaging Projects and Activities
One of the most important things you can do this summer is to brainstorm and plan out a variety of exciting STEM projects and activities. Think about the hands-on experiences that can captivate your students' imaginations and foster a love for STEM.
- Brainstorm and Research: Reflect on what worked well in the past and what could be improved. Research new trends and ideas in STEM education, such as coding, robotics, environmental science, and space exploration. Look for fresh ideas that can invigorate your curriculum.
- Develop Hands-On Learning: Focus on projects that emphasize hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Create opportunities for students to work with tangible materials and engage in experiments that require critical thinking and problem-solving. Consider activities like engineering challenges, science experiments, and technology projects. My favorite material in the classroom is cardboard, it’s free and the students can manipulate it in infinite ways!
- Integrate Real-World Problems: Make learning more meaningful by incorporating real-world problems and challenges into your STEM projects. Identify issues that resonate with your students' lives and communities, such as environmental sustainability, renewable energy, or health and wellness. Design projects that require students to apply their STEM knowledge to develop practical solutions.
2. Organize and Stock Up on Supplies
Having a well-organized and well-stocked classroom is crucial for a smooth and effective teaching experience. Use the summer to ensure you have everything you need to kick off the school year right. Being prepared when your kiddos walk through your door will set everyone off on the right foot.
- Inventory and List: Create an inventory of your existing classroom supplies. Take note of what you have and what you might need. Think of the materials you used a lot last year, my list includes: cereal boxes, pipe cleaners, corks, paper towel tubes, etc. Get a cardboard box and start collecting these at home, or ask friends and family to put them aside for you. Then make a list of additional materials required for the planned projects and activities.
- Organize Supplies: Organize your supplies into easily accessible areas. Consider creating specific stations or zones for different types of activities, such as a maker space, science lab, or robotics corner. This organization will save time and make it easier for students to find what they need.
- Stock Up: Ensure you are well-stocked with essential items like building materials, lab equipment, and tech tools. Start collecting the recyclable building materials. These are free and the students love building with them. These items include cardboard tubes, corks, boxes, tops of fruit pouches/soda plastic bottles, etc. Also, items from nature are great to build with. Look for pinecones, acorns, sticks, etc. these items are well loved by the students in my room. Also, look for back-to-school sales and bulk purchasing options to save on costs. Having everything ready and at hand will help you start the year off smoothly.
3. Enhance Professional Development
Summer is an excellent time to focus on your professional growth and development. Take advantage of workshops, online courses, and conferences to enhance your STEM teaching skills and stay updated on the latest trends.
- Enroll in Workshops and Courses: Look for summer workshops, online courses, conferences of my favorite…podcasts that focus on STEM education. These can provide valuable insights, new strategies, and innovative ideas that you can bring into your classroom. Learning from people who do what you do is the best way to gain ideas to implement in your classroom.
- Network with Other Educators: Connect with other STEM educators to exchange ideas and resources. Join online forums, join groups on Facebook or follow people on Instagram, attend networking events, and participate in professional learning communities. Collaborating with peers can inspire you and help you find new approaches to teaching. Be brave, share what you are doing in your classroom and others will respond!
- Reflect and Plan: Use this time to reflect on your past teaching experiences. Identify areas for improvement and set goals for the upcoming school year. Start by creating a list of the lessons you want to repeat. Consider how you can incorporate new technologies, strategies, and ideas into your teaching to make your STEM lessons even more impactful.
By following this checklist, you can ensure that you are well-prepared to provide an engaging and effective STEM learning environment for your students this fall. Taking the time to plan, organize, and enhance your skills over the summer will set the stage for a successful and rewarding school year. I hope this year is your best yet! Inspire your students and enjoy the daily grind!
Stay Curious,
Gillian
