Introduction to STEM Education

STEM 40303/50303  Introduction to STEM Education

This course provides an introduction to the foundations of STEM education disciplines and the strategies used to deliver integrated STEM education in the elementary and secondary school setting. The nature of STEM education disciplines, STEM pedagogy, teaching strategies, integrated STEM learning, STEM careers, and project-based instruction are addressed.

STEM 40303 – 50303 Syllabus

STEM 40303 – Spring 2026 Tentative Course Schedule

Final Exam – Tuesday, May 5 – 3:00 – 5:00

STEM Content Standards

• Arkansas Science Standards
  • K-6 AR Science Standards
  • AR K-6 Science Performance Expectations
• Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL) – The Role of Technology and Engineering in STEM Education
  • STEL standards and benchmarks
  • STEL full document
• Arkansas Mathematics Standards
• Additional Arkansas Learning Standards

Course Resources

Writing a STEM Design Brief

Developing Big Ideas and Essential Questions

Potential-Materials-and-Tools List

Engineering-Design-Journal Example

Performance-Based-Assessment-Guide

Week 8

Tuesday, March 3  

• Construction Blocks (continued)
• In-class Construction Block Challenges
  • Crazy Forts
  • Keva Maze Design Challenge

Thursday, March 5

• Computational Thinking – Construction Block Extension Challenges PP
• Code & Go Robot Mice Challenges (in-class)
• Challenge (in-class) – HexBug Challenge – Part 1
• Reading Assignment: The Block Project: Creating a Block Set For Another Class

Week 7

Tuesday, February 24

• Literature-based Curriculum Peer Review
  • Peer Review Checklist
  • Final Submission Due – Thursday
• Using Blocks and Construction Toys for Teaching STEM – Tinkering-Making-Quick Challenges – Construction Blocks PP

Thursday, February 26

• Using Blocks and Construction Toys for Teaching STEM PP
• Keva Design Challenges (in class)
  • KEVA Educator Guide Lesson Plans Lesson Plans
• Weekly Reading Assignment – Using Block Play and Blocks As a Tool for Learning

Week 6 

Tuesday, February 17 

• Literature-based Design Challenge Development
  • Potential-Materials-and-Tools List
  • Engineering-Design-Journal Example
  • Performance-Based-Assessment-Guide
• Homework – Lit-based Curr. Rough Draft – Part 2 – and Engineering Design Journal Due Thursday by noon.

Thursday, February 19

• Literature-based Design Challenge Development
  • Major Assignment – Literature-Based Curriculum Project – ready for Peer Review on Tuesday
• Dogzilla Example PP

Week 5

Tuesday, February 10

• Reading Review
  • STEL standards and benchmarks
  • AR science and math standards
• The Literature-based STEM Curriculum
  • Writing a STEM Design Brief – Little Critter Example
• Weekly Reading Assignment – Integrating Literacy and Engineering Instruction for Young Learners and Reading Reflection

Thursday, February 12

• Literature-based Design Challenge Development
• Weekly Reading Assignment – Writing a STEM Design Brief and Developing Big Ideas and Essential Questions
  • Homework: Lit-based Curriculum Rough Draft – Part 1

If you have finished your rough draft Part 1 and would like to work ahead – Here is Lit-based Curr. Rough Draft – Part 2.  We will be completing this for class on Thursday along with starting our engineering design journal.

Week 4

Tuesday, February 3

• Reading Review
• Challenge (in-class) – Engineering Design Challenge – A Bridge to Nowhere
• Reminder – Major Assignment – Major Assignment – The Engineering Design Loop – Due Thursday by noon

Thursday, February 5

• Design Loop Presentations
• Weekly Reading Assignment – Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy and STEM Education and Reading Reflection – answering the questions –
  • If I was to tell another teacher about the STEL, what would I tell them?
  • Why would it be important to know about and understand the STEL?
  • How could I use these in my future classroom?

Week 3

Tuesday, January 27

• The Engineering Design Process
  • Major Assignment – Major Assignment – The Engineering Design Loop
    • Design Loop/Process Assignment PowerPoint Template

Thursday, January 29

• Complete Space Frame
• Tools, Materials, and Processes (cont.)
• Reading Review
• Weekly Reading Assignment – Connecting Compassion Empathy’s Role in STEM and Literacy Integration and Reading Reflection

Week 2

Tuesday, January 20

• Reading Review
• Measuring: Materials, Tools, and Processes PP
• Challenge (in-class) – Space Frame Building Challenge
• Weekly Reading Assignment – Enhancing the Technology and Engineering in Elementary Classrooms: Safer Tool Usage and Reading Reflection

Thursday, January 22

• Reading Review
  • Safety-Letter-to-Parents
• Space Frame Building Challenge (continued)
• Weekly Reading Assignment – A Framework for STEM Problem-Solving and Reading Reflection

Week 1

Tuesday, January 13

• Syllabus and Schedule Review
• Introduction to STEM Education PP
• Challenge (in-class) – Earth Ball Introductions
• Challenge (at-home) – YouTube Introduction Assignment – Due Friday.
• Weekly Reading Assignment – The Nature of Interdisciplinary STEM Education article and Reading Reflection.
  • In this course you will complete reading reflections in a variety of formats, including handwritten reading reflections.  Your reading reflection is a written analysis of a text, where you capture your thoughts, feelings, and understanding of the material in your own handwriting. It’s a way to engage with the text more deeply, making personal connections and fostering critical thinking.
    •  Due before class next Tuesday

Thursday, January 15

• Introduction to STEM Education (continued)
• Challenge (in-class) – Engineering Design Challenge