A Pathway Into STEM Careers

In high school, I loved chemistry class. Led by an inspiring teacher, I was curious about the experiments we did and enjoyed the hands-on nature of the class. Although I wasn’t the top student, I knew it was something that I was good at. I was […]

Bartlett City Schools Increases Access to STEM Experiences with Defined Learning

“Can I use this exclusively?!” When Katie MCain, the 6-12 instructional supervisor for Bartlett City Schools in Tennessee, heard this from one of her teachers, she knew the district’s plan for STEM and Project-Based Learning (PBL) was going better […]

Holiday STEM Activities

As we celebrate holidays, use the holiday theme to create STEM activities. For this week look for an experiment around your Elf on the Shelf. If you have upper elementary children, read the book by Larissa Juliano How to Build an Elf Trap. Help them […]

Preparing Learners For STEM Careers

Ask your students what they want to be when they grow up. What might they say? It will likely depend if you teach kindergarten, 7th grade, or 12th grade. Forty years ago, common answers might have included a nurse, a lawyer, a firefighter, or a […]

Tools for Promoting Social and Emotional Learning Through PBL and STEM

It has been an interesting start to the school year. We are all working in different learning environments, some of which may be changing each week. Unlike when schools closed in the spring, we now have more experience and ideas that we can have in […]

What is a Crosscutting Concept?

Crosscutting concepts are one of the three dimensions of science teaching and learning that are included in the performance expectations of the Next Generation Science Standards. In this post, I will explain crosscutting concepts and share ideas of […]

Integrating Math, Science, and Engineering in the Classroom

Looking to integrate math, science, and engineering in your classroom? Start with the science and math practices!

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is more than just a grouping of subject areas. It is a movement to develop a […]

Project-Based Learning in the Secondary Math Classroom? YES!

Districts and schools everywhere are seeing the value and benefits of using project-based learning in the classrooms. It may seem easy for science teachers because they are accustomed to inquiry-based teaching, and maybe even elementary teachers […]

11 Characteristics of an Engaging STEM Classroom

If you’re a new STEM teacher you may be wondering: “What should my STEM class look like? What should my students be doing?” If you’re a veteran STEM teacher perhaps you are asking yourself: “How are my STEM classes coming along? What does an […]

Professional Learning at PBL Champions Camp

Last week was a transformational experience for 26 educators at the inaugural Defined Learning PBL Champ Camp at LutheRanch in Tallapoosa GA. These dedicated and hard-working educators spent a week of their summer being immersed in inspirational […]