S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Initiative
The goal of the WHD 147 STEM Program is to deliver a comprehensive, inquiry based educational program that will lead to measurable impacts on science and technology knowledge and skills among our students and teachers. Achieving this goal will require building over a three-year timeline, beginning in the 2016-2017 school year. The current school year will develop the STEM Program by providing extensive mathematics professional development for our teachers, creating the infrastructure to support the program with a STEM Coordinator and Design Team, and developing partnerships with universities and other organizations to launch and maintain specific programs and events.
2017-2018 S.T.E.M. Programs and Events
STEM and Media Arts Lab: Construction and development of a new STEM and Media Arts Lab will be transforming the library space at Rosa L Parks Middle School during the summer of 2017. The addition of two dedicated STEM Lab Instructors will provide an engaging program where students will explore STEM and Communications/Media through applied technology and project based learning.
S.T.E.M. Club: The STEM after-school clubs will give students the chance to explore aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math as part of an enrichment program that will run twice a week at the same time as after-school tutoring programs.
TECH 2018: This event strives to present classroom technology projects from across the state of Illinois. All schools and districts in Illinois are invited to apply to participate. Selected schools will send teams of up to four participants to TECH 2018, which will include two or three students accompanied by one teacher and/or administrator.
South Suburban Chicago Chapter - LINKS Inc. STEM Initiative: The South Suburban Chicago (IL) Chapter seeks to stimulate and expand the interest of the students of King Elementary School in grades 3-4, in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This is the seventh year that work with the students will be designed to increase exposure to, and understanding of, concepts and opportunities outside of the classroom through rigorous, hands-on experiences. For more information on SSCC visit ssclinks.org.
The Hour of Code is a global movement to reach students in 180+ countries through a one-hour introduction to computer science and computer programming. This is a district wide event that takes place during Computer Science Week. Students in every class will learn, practice, and experience computer coding with structured curriculum. STEM Club students will serve as “Tech Expert Assistants” as students take part in this global event.
Mathletes/2018 South Cook Regional Math Bowl
2016-2017 S.T.E.M. Programs and Events
E.S.P. (Energizing Student Potential) Program: This program begins with an energizing two-day workshop in October and culminates with a Celebration of Energy at which participating schools share the community education programs and the STEM projects they have completed throughout the year. The E.S.P. program will be a Rosa L. Parks Middle School endeavor and brings together a STEM focus on Energy and the technology of robotics in the classroom under the direction of science teacher Ms. LaShree Branch. For more information and to view a video from Rosa Parks visit: need.org/esp. 2017 South Cook Regional Math Bowl: May 11/12th, 2017 at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL. This competition is open to students in grades 1 – 8 who are selected from the After-school STEM Club recommendation process. The Math Bowl will be held over 2 days with Divisions A and B (1st through 4th grade) competing on Thursday, May 11th and Divisions C and D (5th through 8th grade) competing on Friday, May 12th. Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144 will be coordinating the event and will be sponsored by Crystal Financial and Mesirow Financial. S.T.E.M. Club: The STEM after-school clubs will give students the chance to explore aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math as part of an enrichment program that will run twice a week at the same time as after-school tutoring programs. Students will participate in this program through a recommendation process by the teacher, principal, and program coordinator. The students will experience hands on, inquiry and project based learning with two co-teachers. TECH 2017: This event strives to present classroom technology projects from across the state of Illinois. All schools and districts in Illinois are invited to apply to participate. Selected schools will send teams of up to four participants to TECH 2017, which will include two or three students accompanied by one teacher and/or administrator. School selections will be made on the basis of the location of the school within the state, grade level, type of demonstration proposed and diversity in student learning styles. Each participating school will be provided a table in the Capitol Building on which to showcase project information. All demonstrations will take place Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Funding for travel and other expenses incurred by participants will be the responsibility of each participating school. For more information visit: iceberg.org/tech. Career Cruising: The Career Cruising Program, serving Rosa L. Parks Middle School, provides a wealth of valuable content and tools. Students can match their interests and abilities with career paths and possibilities, investigate the specifics of different occupations, review college profiles that match their criteria, and find potential sources of financial assistance they might not have known existed. A personal portfolio allows students to record their progress through the system, document each stage of their career exploration and education planning efforts, create an education plan, and produce a resume. For more information visit: public.careercruising.com/en/. South Suburban Chicago Chapter - LINKS Inc. STEM Initiative: The South Suburban Chicago (IL) Chapter, through its S.T.E.M.ulation: Washington Eagles Soar and Explore Left Brain/Right Brain program, seeks to stimulate and expand the interest of the students of the Washington Elementary School in grades 4-5, in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This is the sixth year that work with the students will be designed to increase exposure to, and understanding of, concepts and opportunities outside of the classroom through rigorous, hands-on experiences. Last year the program expanded to include some lessons with third graders and incorporated the arts resulting in a STEAM Initiative. The chapter intends to build and sustain a strong, enriching and viable program that will stand as a model for other schools and districts in the South Suburban Chicago area. For more information on SSCC visit ssclinks.org. The Hour of Code is a global movement to reach students in 180+ countries through a one-hour introduction to computer science and computer programming. This is a district wide event that takes place during Computer Science Week, December 5-11, 2016. Students in every class will learn, practice, and experience computer coding with structured curriculum. STEM Club students will serve as “Tech Expert Assistants” as students take part in this global event. Teacher/Staff Professional Development: *Teachers will participate in a comprehensive mathematics professional development series in a variety of formats during the 2016-2017 school year. Workshops, grade level training, and in classroom modeling with district math consultant Sharon Rak will build teachers toolbox for math teaching strategies. *Summer “Boot Camp” Professional Development: Teachers participated in two weeks of PD on topics from technology and assessments, reading, and math. *The district will again offer a Saturday PD series over the course of 4 Saturdays on STEM topics including technology, maker spaces, and inquiry and project based learning.