Course Description
Explores problem-based learning and hands-on activities that support instruction in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) using a wide array of materials and processes. Participants will develop a portfolio of activities for use with students they teach. Creativity and innovation in product design and engineering are themes in the course.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate-level students will complete additional work to synthesize content presented in the course and adapt it to their own teaching environments.
Athena Title
Creative Act for STEM
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ETES 4025E or ETES 6025E
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to: 1. Approach problem solving through inquiry, persistence, locating and interpreting information, and collaborating with others. 2. Develop a portfolio of creative activities for use with relevant grade levels and courses. 3. Employ technology (tools and machines) to identify solutions for, design, and create problem-based products from a wide variety of materials. 4. Conduct research and employ technology that results in planning, developing, and constructing technology learning activities for relevant grade levels and courses. 5. Work as a member of a small group (2-4 persons) in problem-solving situations. 6. Develop a lesson plan that clearly addresses STEM content standards and integrates hands-on, problem-based learning activities for use with a K-12 class. 7. Introduce students to an engineering design process as applied to the solution of age-appropriate technological problems. 8. Equip their students with a foundational understanding of technological principles and knowledge of the designed world. 9. Design age-appropriate learning activities related to manufacturing, construction, energy and power, communication, transportation, and biotechnologies.
Topical Outline
Course content will be contextualized within the areas of manufacturing, construction, energy and power, communication, transportation, and biotechnologies. Module Topics and Learning Activities 1 Overview of course, introductions Module 1 – STEM and creativity for every student 2 Module 2 – Manufacturing 3 Module 3 – Construction 4 Module 4 – Energy, power, and transportation 5 Midterm Exam Module 5 – Communications 6 Module 6 – Bio-technologies 7 Module 7 – Energy, power, and robotics 8 Module 8 – Finding our way Final Exam