Joyful STEM INTEGRATION
KIS Tree Research Center
The "KIS Tree Research Center" was a Reggio-inspired learning environment I designed to engage Kindergarten through Grade 5 scientists in joyful, authentic research within our on-campus forest and broader learning community. United by the central inquiry, "What is a tree?", students from all grades explored this question through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. This experience not only aligned with each grade level's Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Life Science Performance Expectations but also fostered the development of NGSS Science and Engineering Practices—the core work of scientists. Through joyful learning, students grew into confident scientists, researchers, communicators, and autonomous learners, empowered to lead their own investigations into the how the world works.
Sounds of Learning
It’s been said that sound defines a learning space. So turn up the volume and listen to the joyful sounds of elementary scientists in the "KIS Tree Research Center," immersed in their own inquiries, asking, "What is a tree?" These are the rhythms of learning—curiosity, collaboration, and discovery—echoing through hands-on research. As they explore the natural world, students express their understanding through their "100 languages," each voice contributing to a rich tapestry of joyful learning and scientific discovery.
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STEM Integrated into Units of Inquiry
This video showcases a Grade 1 transdisciplinary Unit of Inquiry I guided in designing, which was aligned with NGSS science standards and Common Core literacy and math standards. I am very proud of the impact this unit had in connecting our learning community through collaboration, co-creation and co-teaching with our school's chef, gardeners, parents, and first-grade teachers.
The unit authentically integrated science, math, reading, writing, social studies, and art. It was guided by key scientific principles and literacy skills, encouraging students to observe, inquire, and communicate their understanding. Through hands-on exploration, collaborative discussions, and reflective writing, students developed deeper connections across subject areas.
The final project, a design thinking challenge, allowed students to apply critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. This approach significantly increased academic rigor, creativity, student agency, and engagement through joyful, meaningful learning.
The unit authentically integrated science, math, reading, writing, social studies, and art. It was guided by key scientific principles and literacy skills, encouraging students to observe, inquire, and communicate their understanding. Through hands-on exploration, collaborative discussions, and reflective writing, students developed deeper connections across subject areas.
The final project, a design thinking challenge, allowed students to apply critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. This approach significantly increased academic rigor, creativity, student agency, and engagement through joyful, meaningful learning.
Grade Level Science Assemblies
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As "Dr. Cool," I bring the wonders of science to life for PreK through Grade 5 scientists with exciting assemblies that spark curiosity and inquiry. At the start of each unit, I lead these sessions to ignite student interest and get them thinking deeply about the topic. After the assembly, students capture their observations and thoughts using a "Visible Thinking" routine, like "See, Think, Wonder," in their science journals.
In this video, I’m delivering an assembly titled "What's the Matter?" where I introduce kindergarten scientists to the fascinating world of solids, liquids, and gases, inspiring their journey of discovery with hands-on exploration and big ideas. |
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This video captures the same young scientists later in the unit, actively experimenting with transforming solids into liquids and gases.
I believe that children should be fully immersed in the process of being scientists. This means giving them the opportunity to explore, experiment, and use the real tools of scientists, fostering their curiosity and empowering them to think and joyfully grow their identities as scientists who are capable in leading their own research into how the world works. |
ES Studio: Science
In ES Studio: Science, I bring together student agency, inquiry, science, math, literacy, and what Seymour Papert called "hard fun." Grades 3-5 students select a studio aligned with their personal interests, allowing them to take charge of their learning. Throughout our time in the lab, I incorporate literacy and math alongside science, ensuring students engage with the content across multiple disciplines.
This approach is deeply rooted in NGSS Science and Engineering Practices, as young chemists actively ask questions, plan and carry out investigations, analyze data, and construct explanations. In the video, you’ll see a six-week, multi-age Chemistry Studio I taught, where scientists applied these practices to explore chemical reactions through hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning, joyfully making meaningful connections to the world around them. |
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I co-authored a chapter of this book titled "Making and Tinkering in the PYP," where I detail a transdisciplinary Unit of Inquiry I designed and taught to Grade 5 scientists. The chapter delves into how we fostered authentic connections to STEM through flipped classrooms, blogging, project-based learning, and design thinking. It also features student self-assessment rubrics that align with Maker-centered approaches, empowering students to take ownership of their learning through hands-on making and tinkering experiences.
Click here to have a look.
Click here to have a look.