STEM Ambassadors Year 1 Training

• introduced ourselves and talked a bit about why we it’s important to feel comfortable introducing ourselves and getting to know our students.
  • Hint: great learning can happen when you help to create safe relationships with your students
• We also talked about why you might be here and the expectations of the program
  • Be Brave, Be strong/resilient, Be wise/inclusive
• Lastly we talked a bit about the Pit of Success – understanding that in order for students to go into the unknown territory they first have to feel safe – however this territory leads to real learning.
  • We talked about a time in our lives when we really felt it was easy to learnguidelines for when we are in class
• introduced the structure of the class

• As a STEM ambassador it is our job to build a classroom that promotes a Culture of Learning
  • In this classroom students should feel comfortable to think about things different ways, try different methods, and know that they can share ideas
  • In this classroom we recognize that every student has unique gifts and talents and we bring our unique perspectives into the space
• To build that Culture of Learning we also need to each have a growth mindset and recognize that we are always growing and learning
  • Building life long learners is the goal!
  • As teachers we should try to recognize where students are and help lead and guide them towards new learning
• If we do this well we will hopefully help build our students STEM Identity
  • We want students to have a positive STEM Identity with traits such as
    • “I don’t know how to do that yet but I will figure it out”
    • “It’s ok to fail- I can just try again”
    • “I like learning new things”
    • “I’m a problem solver”
• These concepts are all in line with the engineering and design process – a key component for STEM/STEAM

• We talked about how each of us solves problem differently and as teachers we need to be prepared to adjust to different ways of thinking to help students solve problems. This means that when students are not connecting with one way of problem solving to try a different one or to present them with different options of how to get started.
• We spoke about Maker centered learning and how that journey can be messy. This messy process can help our learners create learner agency. This means that our students have some say in how they learn and what they learn. This helps create curious life long learners.
• In order to facilitate this type of classroom you as teachers should:
  • Create a safe framework for students – what are the boundaries? What is the structure for class (ie consistent beginning and end of classes)
  • Pace your class appropriately and give students warning about that pacing
  • Be the guide for your students instead of being the “doer” – ask questions, give them suggestions about how they might approach the problem

We discussed how teaching is a performance, and performances require a lot of practice and preparation, but you can't always predict what's going to happen on stage.  Being a STEM Ambassador will require the ability to think quickly on your feet and you all tested your improv skills by using "Pechaflikr".

• We can model the behaviors that we want to see including – problem solving methods, emotional and stress management practices, and the engineering and design methods
• We can be consistent in procedures and processes in our room – developing routine allows students to feel safe and keeping the pacing so that there is not a lot of downtime
• We can build connection with our students – helping them to feel seen and heard makes that want to engage in the materials
• We can lead with compassion because each of our students has their own things that they bring into the classroom – remember that behaviors should make us ask “what are they trying to tell me?”