Module 3

Module 3: Interdisciplinary STEM teaching with real-world problems

3.1 The value of an interdisciplinary approach to STEM

An interdisciplinary approach relates to more than one category of knowledge. In education, interdisciplinary teaching refers to teaching across different subjects. It is based on incorporating knowledge and skills from more than one subject in order to enrich the overall educational experience. 
    While the word STEM can be interpreted as the acronym of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, it can also be treated as a whole.

    ACTIVITY:

    WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE OF AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO STEM LESSONS? 

    My contribution:

    In my opinion, the most important advantage of interdisciplinarity in STEM lessons is the fact that the students connect the lesson to the real world and to problem-solving, where every challenge is a whole and not parts of a subject. For example, solving water pollution issues are linked to physics, chemistry, math, biology, sociology and many other sectors. This way, the students are more excited, more focused in learning and definitively more engaged.

    Interdisciplinary activities: Biology and Mathematics
    Biology and Mathematics have a lot in common. A deep knowledge of Mathematics is essential for biologists; it helps them perform their calculations easily and correctly. 
    One of the examples of such application of Mathematics is in the calculation of the nutritive values of food articles, which is the topic of our Healthy Breakfast Activity. You can download the Healthy Breakfast Activity here, and the PowerPoint Presentation to go along with your lesson here.
    The second activity explains the science behind one of the most popular sports in the world – basketball. You can download The Perfect Shot Activity here and please watch the video below to learn more about how to implement this activity in your classroom.

    Interdisciplinary activities: Chemistry and Physics
    1. Physics is nowadays very much used in all Science subjects. Both Physics and Chemistry are best understood through project-based experiments. 
    2. Project-based learning (PBL) is a student-centred pedagogical method that involves students receiving fact-based tasks, problems to solve and they work in groups. 
    3. This kind of learning usually transcends traditional subjects and requires a more dynamic classroom. Project-based experiments can illustrate the concepts covered in the classroom. 
    4. At the same time, learning in a laboratory is a great opportunity for students to learn to work cooperatively in groups and develop 21st-century skills. We have prepared two such activities for you.
    Download STEM'n eggs activity here, and watch the video below to get some tips on how to implement this activity with your students:



    If your students do not like eggs but enjoy something sweet, try the STEM Jam Activity. Download the activity here and please watch the video below where our STEM teachers share their experiences:


    Interdisciplinary activities: Primary Education

    1. Each subject in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are interconnected, so instead of teaching Mathematics as separate from Technology or Science, they can be taught together to resemble the use of knowledge in real life. 
    2. Most STEM teaching in primary education is already interdisciplinary. This is very important, because it fosters a lifelong love for learning and for science.
    3. Download Laundry Day Activity here, and String Phone Activity here. Watch the video below to learn more about the Laundry Day Activity.


    The Scientix resources repository! You can access this vast resource repository by clicking here. 



    ACTIVITY:


    Find two resources in the Scientix repository

    LOOK AROUND IN THE SCIENTIX REPOSITORY AND FIND TWO RESOURCES THAT YOU CAN USE IN YOUR TEACHING. POST THEM IN THIS PADLET

    My contribution:

    1. "ELECTROSTATIC JUMPS!" https://youtu.be/K74RoAvfhms

    2. MAGNETISM 

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     — Activity —

    Real-world problems you can implement in your STEM class

    In Module 3, we explored just a handful of interdisciplinary real-world STEM activities and now it is time for you to join forces with your peers and create more. Share a new idea of real-world problems that you can implement in your STEM class and explore the ideas of your peers to identify those you find especially relevant and offer further ideas by commenting.

    I would like to make my students explore why some people need glasses. This way we will use Physics and Biology and study the lenses.

    INSPIRATION:

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