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2011 Summer STEM Institutes
Core Element
held its annual Summer STEM Institutes focusing on
science concepts with strong math and literacy
components.
All content aligns with the Louisiana Comprehensive
Curriculum and is based on nationally recognized
curricula created at leading research universities.
Core Element’s STEM Institutes focus on core
content with 30-60 hours of hands-on training from
national presenters and master teachers.
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Middle School Summer STEM Institute
Exploring
Experimental Design in Physical, Life and Earth
Science
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Fourteen (14) teachers from grades 5-8 from
Orleans,
Jefferson, and area charter schools attended the
weeklong training.
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Teachers
learned creative techniques for designing
and implementing classroom investigations
incorporating science inquiry into physical,
life and earth science concepts.
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Introduction
of measuring techniques to help students
prepare for high school science and
effective lab safety was integrated into the
training.
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“I
was pleased that at the end of the week, I had
gained valuable knowledge on how to better
engage my students in the scientific inquiry
process.
I
discovered that experiments and investigations
can easily be altered to individualize the needs
of each student. “
“I will get my students more involved and not
rely so much on the textbook.”
“Thanks so much.
My comfort level for teaching these
topics increased as more and more content was
presented.”
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High School Summer STEM Institute
High school science content training was held in
biology, chemistry, physics and physical
science.
Thirty-two (32) teachers from
Orleans,
Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes participated
in the 60 hour institute at no cost to
participants. Teachers from
New Jersey,
Texas, Mississippi,
Alabama, and Missouri attended the Modeling Method of
Instruction with their costs being paid by their
schools, or districts.
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Modeling Method of Instruction for Physics,
Physical Science and Chemistry
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The
program facilitates the use of guided inquiry in
science teaching. The modeling approach
developed at the
University of Arizona emphasizes: 
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Engaging student in understanding the
physical world by constructing and using
specific science models to explain, predict
and control physical phenomena.
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Providing students with basic conceptual
tools for modeling physical objects and
processes, especially mathematical,
graphical and diagrammatic representations.
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Showing how scientific knowledge is
validated by engaging students in evaluating
scientific models through comparison with
empirical data.
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Hands-On Biology
The course goal is to meet the challenges of the
Biology-End-of-Course exam that students have to
pass to graduate with standard-based, hands-on
biology labs using the modeling method of
instruction.
Modeling maximizes student involvement
and higher order thinking
Teachers worked through labs that embed inquiry
within core biology and environmental science
content.
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“….hands
on learning is great.
Science is more fun to me and seems that
it will be more engaging and exciting to the
students.”
“Thanks so much.
My comfort level for teaching these
topics increased as more and more content was
presented.”
“I learned excellent ideas about activities to
do with my students.
This course taught me how to better
interact with my students in order that I can
compel them to identify cause and effect with
every activity.”
“My entire attitude changed with regards to
allowing my students take charge of their own
investigation.
It is GOOD to permit each student to
create their own investigation; each student
will learn and grow with this method.”
“ ….. it is important to strengthen inquiry in
the classroom.”
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Elementary Summer STEM Institute
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Forty (40) teachers in grades 3-6 from
Orleans,
Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes attended the weeklong
workshop.
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Teachers receive training in science content
and standards-based curricula material.
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Teacher attendees receive school-year access
to master teacher mentoring for classroom
implementation.
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Emphasis is placed on student use of
journaling to increase student achievement.
 
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“This workshop has opened my eyes about how to
better engage students in science.
I really like having access to science
kits like FOSS and ARIES.
My attitude changed about teaching
science to my students.”
“I
want more of these classes.
When is the next one offered?”
“….hands
on learning is great.
Science is more fun to me and seems that
it will be more engaging and exciting to the
students.”
“The Robotics session definitely taught me that
getting beyond my comfort level is a good thing
for my students.
I am excited about starting a robotics
team at school and now know that help will be
available through the Core Element program.”
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2011 Elementary Workshop Topics
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ARIES* Exploring ENERGY
Emphasis is on investigations of energy and
work, the effects of energy transfer and
harnessing the energy of flowing water, wind and
sunlight to do the work.
ARIES Earth in Motion
Importance is placed on how to explore shadows
and the changing relationship between the earth,
the Sun, the daily path of the Sun and the
rotation of the Earth
*Harvard-Smithsonian Center
for Astrophysics
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FOSS* Physics of Sound
Scholarly ideas are shared on investigations of
the properties of sound and sound waves.
FOSS Landforms
Investigations concentrate on variables that
influence erosion and deposition and the
subsequent creation of landforms.
Teachers are given instruction on
designing and creating topographic maps in the
classroom as a means to represent landforms.
*Lawrence
Hall of Science, University of Berkeley
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Elementary Robotics
Teachers were introduced to
FIRST
LEGO Robotics and LEGO WEDO robotics for early
learners. FIRST LEGO League competition involves
designing, building and programming a LEGO robot
in a high energy, sports-like event.
Each FLL challenge features two parts: a robot
game and a project. Teams an autonomous robot to
score points on a themed playing field in two
minutes and 30 seconds.
The stated goal is for the student teams to
apply math and science concepts to real-world
problems.
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