I-Corps: The PictureSTEM Project - Using Picture Books to Transform STEM Learning

有必要制定综合处理STEM标准的课程。下一代科学标准（NGSS）和共同核心州数学标准（CCSS-M）是基于研究的学术标准，是为了让美国各州能够选择为他们的学生采用高质量的标准而制定的。每个人都有目前大多数课程没有涉及的概念和技能。NGSS包括工程设计过程中需要的概念和技能，学生可以结合他们的科学内容学习。CCSS-M包括过程标准，例如用数学建模。英语语言艺术共同核心标准包括要求学生学习技术交流的标准，特别是与STEM科目的联系。每一种独立的标准都需要实际的环境来放置学习。教师和校长目前正在寻找满足这些需求的课程，但综合课程少之又少。这个I-Corps团队提出的课程（PictureSTEM）将所有这些想法整合到一个单元中。PictureSTEM项目的主要目标是为幼儿园到五年级的每个年级开发一个教学模块，该模块采用工程和识字背景，以有意义和有意义的方式整合科学、技术和数学内容教学。这些革命性的STEM学习新模式使用绘本和工程设计挑战，为学生提供真实的情境活动，使学习者参与特定的STEM内容，并整合传统学科界限的概念。PictureSTEM单元将侧重于基于标准的工程、数学和科学内容，这与目前可用的其他课程不同。如上所述，它们是基于研究的课程。这些模块有可能通过关注所有领域的学习目标来改变小学扫盲和STEM的教学方式，因此，为未来整个小学课程的发展提供了一个潜在的框架。

There is a need for curricula that address STEM standards in an integrated way. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSS-M) are research-based academic standards that were created so that U.S. states would have the option to adopt high-quality standards for their students. Each one has concepts and skills that most current curricula do not address. The NGSS include engineering design processes as required concepts and skills for students to learn in conjunction with their science content. The CCSS-M includes process standards such as modeling with mathematics. The Common Core Standards for English Language Arts include standards that ask students to learn technical communication, particularly with a connection to STEM subjects. Each of these separate standards requires realistic contexts for which to situate the learning. Teachers and principals are currently looking for curricula that meet these needs, but integrated curricula are few and far between. The curricula (PictureSTEM) proposed by this I-Corps team integrate all of these ideas into one unit.The main goal of the PictureSTEM project is to develop an instructional module at each grade level, kindergarten through fifth, which employs engineering and literacy contexts to integrate science, technology, and mathematics content instruction in meaningful and significant ways. These transformative new models for STEM learning use picture books and an engineering design challenge to provide students with authentic, contextual activities that engage learners in specific STEM content as well as integrate concepts across traditional disciplinary boundaries. PictureSTEM units will focus on standards-based engineering, mathematics, and science content, which is different than other curricula currently available. They are research based curricula as described above. These modules have the potential to transform the way literacy and STEM are taught at the elementary level by attending to the learning goals of all areas, therefore, providing a potential framework for the development of an entire elementary curricula in the future.