Hands-On Learning Experience: STEM Classes at DAIS Elementary

At Dalian American International School, we aim to cultivate critical thinkers by focusing on the development of the "whole child." In our modern STEM classroom, Ms. Tafoya provides hands-on, collaborative, and investigative experiences that prepare students as 21st-century learners.

Let’s step into the world of STEM at DAIS Elementary, where curiosity leads the way, collaboration drives discovery, and every challenge is an opportunity to innovate.

What is STEM?

STEM education integrates four core disciplines - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - into a cohesive learning approach that emphasizes real-world applications and interdisciplinary problem-solving. It encourages students to think critically, work collaboratively, and apply their knowledge to solve complex challenges. By fostering innovation, creativity, and technical skills, STEM education prepares students for future careers and to navigate the rapidly changing world.

How does STEM fit into the Science curriculum?

While schools may prioritize one or more areas of STEM depending on their specific needs, DAIS-E's STEM program has a particular focus on Science, especially in alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS were created through a collaborative effort of leading science organizations, including the National Research Council (NRC), the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

At DAIS-E, our STEM program is designed to provide students with hands-on, real-world learning experiences that not only deepen their understanding of Science but also prepare them for success on the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test, which is aligned with NGSS standards.

How do you teach STEM at DAIS-E?

STEM education at DAIS-E is driven by inquiry, where students actively explore questions and solve real-world problems they encounter every day. This process often involves conducting experiments or investigations to deepen their understanding of the problem, then applying that knowledge to create projects or models that communicate their insights to new audiences.

^{Mechanical Hand}

In doing so, we aim to equip students with novel skills they may not typically gain in traditional education - such as coding, robotics, animation, circuitry, video production, 3D printing/design, digital design, and AR/VR development - that enhance their projects and presentations, enabling them to communicate their understanding in creative and impactful ways, while also preparing them for future careers that utilize these skills.

^{Solar Rover Robots}

What are the MIT challenges?

The MIT Challenges originate from Nord Anglia's collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a globally renowned institution recognized for its leadership in science and technology. The MIT/Nord collaboration issues 3 challenges per academic year. At DAIS-E, students are selected for challenges based on how the focus area will enhance their learning in science and deepen their understanding of the NGSS science standards.

MIT Challenges offer students the unique opportunity to engage with leading scientists at the forefront of cutting-edge research. The MIT Challenges consist of three main components:

1. A renowned scientist or expert introduces a challenge focused on a cutting-edge area of scientific research.
2. Students have the opportunity to submit questions related to the challenge or research topic. The expert and their team select a few questions from participating schools worldwide to answer.
3. Students then submit projects or presentations responding to the challenge. These are reviewed by the scientist and their team, who highlight exceptional submissions and offer constructive feedback.

^{Build Better Plants: #1 MIT Challenge 2023-24}

Both past and present MIT Challenges are open to all students for participation on Global Campus. Hundreds of Nord Anglia Schools from around the world participate, all vying for the chance to be selected. DAIS-E students have been honored to be highlighted multiple times!

^{Build Better Energy: #2 MIT Challenge 2023-24}

How do we integrate the MIT challenges and SWLOs into the program?

MIT Challenges bring together students from around the world, enabling them to share their research and projects on Nord Anglia's online platform, Global Campus.

Through their participation, students have the opportunity to demonstrate School Wide Learner Outcomes (SWLOs), such as showing Character through addressing problems with care and developing solutions for all. They also exhibit their Success Skills by applying creativity, curiosity, and a commitment to personal excellence to their projects. In tackling complex global challenges, students engage in Higher Order Thinking, addressing some of the world's most pressing issues. They further develop Intercultural Competence by considering the cultural impacts of their solutions. Finally, they exemplify Service by contributing their ideas and work to a broader global community.

In the latest challenge: Designing Solutions with AI, Professor Faez Ahmed from the MIT Mechanical Engineering department, tasked students with using AI to enhance products.

^{Ms. Tafoya (left) and Prof. Faez Ahmed}

Our Grade 4 students integrated this with the NGSS standard 4-ESS3-2, which focuses on generating and comparing multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans. Students applied AI to design, program, and test meters capable of detecting sounds that survivors trapped in landslides might make, drawing inspiration from recent global landslides that caused widespread devastation. The students took proactive steps to address this critical issue, showcasing their School Wide Learner Outcomes (SWLOs) through their innovative solution.

We can't wait to see the upcoming projects, experiments, and challenges DAIS Elementary students will take on in their STEM journey!