October 2016
Gretna Green STEM Exploratory Project Guideline
What does STEM stand for?
Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics
What is the purpose of the STEM exploratory?
Through this exploratory, students will have the opportunity to investigate and solve real world issues
related to science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics. The blended learning environment
used in this STEM exploratory shows students how the scientific method can be applied to everyday life,
as well as the real world applications of problem solving.
In this exploratory, students (as individuals or in groups) will identify a problem within their
environment and solve it using one or more of the disciplines contained within STEM. Students will
create a question to drive their learning, a list of needed materials, a model of their product (if
applicable), hypotheses, tests, evaluation of the results, suggestions for changes, and a conclusion of the
project.
TEN Steps to Creating a STEM Project
1. Brainstorm ideas of interest to you. Then conference with other students who have similar
interests. Decide whether you will work individually or within a small group.
2. Select a problem you wish to solve.
3. Create a question to drive your learning.
4. Prepare a list of materials required for your project.
5. Draft a diagram/proposal/model.
6. Hypothesize – what do you expect will happen?
7. Engage in the process (construct, create, program, etc.).
8. Test your hypothesis.
9. Suggestions for improvement.
10. Conclusion of project.
Although this exploratory is meant to augment middle school technology, students may find many
connections with middle school science and industrial technology (shop class).
If you have any questions or comments please direct them to [email protected]