Teaching STEM Outdoors (eBook)

Introduction

Chapter 1 What is STEM?


a. Definition of STEM

b. Why Care?
i. Societal context
ii. Achievement Gap
iii. 21st Century/Social emotional development
iv. Cognitive processes that help self-regulation and executive function
c. Nature/STEM links…why do they complement each other?

Chapter 2 Kids need nature

d. Benefits of Play/Learning/outdoor time

e. Make it Real (Bringing nature in?)
i.
f. Attention Restoration Theory

g. BRIEF barriers acknowledgement

Chapter 3 What does High Quality STEM education look like?

h. Inclusion
i. Differentiation
j. Learning styles
k. A bit about planning
1. Safety concerns
2. Insects
3. Sunburn
4. Classroom dynamics

Chapter 4 Domains Overview

l. Science
i. Domains of science
ii. Where science happens in the EC classroom setting now
iii. Process skills
iv. Inquiry process
v. Crosscutting concepts
vi. Standards and recommendations
1. NSTA position statement
2. NGSS
m. Technology

1. Tools
2. Digital technology

n. Engineering

i. Why eng in early childhood
1. Standards
2. Important thinking skills

o. Math
i. Math in EC classroom
ii. Math standards and recommendations
iii. Take it to the next level

Chapter 5 How Can I?

p. Catalysts and what kids might do with them (DO)
q. Words (SAY)

r. Classroom Environments: Creating a STEM rich space (FEEL)

s. Community

Chapter 6 STEM Starts (Activities)

x. What is a STEM start?

y. Specific examples of them

Conclusion