Integrated STEM, Integrated Expertise

STEM is, at its heart, a collaborative endeavor. In our Pennsylvania backyard, we see this in the design, building plan, and coordination required to test and fix many of our local bridges. Without the perspectives of the engineers, construction workers, government officials, or any other collaborators, a project couldn't make its way to completion.

This month's blog features testimonials from members of the 4th cohort of Trustey Family STEM Teaching Fellows. 

Ashley Costanza, Jenn Huerta, Kristine Kelly, Dawn Robertson, Alyssa Sturgeon, and Mark Westlake highlight different elements of their Trustey experience and how the fellowship has helped them to become better STEM educators.

At the beginning of each school year, I ask my students: “What is a scientist?” After jotting down their own individual ideas, students form groups to create a picture of a scientist and present it to the class. Then we collectively list the characteristics portrayed in their models. Crazy hair, chemical explosions, accidents, dead bodies... these are just a few of the characteristics that fifth-grade students often come up with. This leads us into a discussion about the origin of these popular misconceptions. As fifth graders, they will become scientists this year, and there is no bright purple hair in a Catholic School dress code.