Use storybook illustrations for ELA instruction . . . test scores soar with EiE . . . these stories and more in the Oct. EiE News!
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Welcome EiE Educators!
Our classroom here in Boston is always bustling, but we were especially excited to host two groups of educators recently: Massachusetts teachers selected for Oracle-supported professional development scholarships, and EiE PD collaborators from across the country attending a Raytheon-supported symposium. As you learn, we learn too! —Cynthia Berger, newsletter editor.
You’re Invited: Online Conference Puts the “E” Back in STEM

Are you integrating engineering into instruction at your school or district? Mark your calendar!

On Nov. 17 – 18, 2015, the National Center for Technological Literacy® (NCTL®) at the Museum of Science, Boston and Secor Strategies will host a live virtual conference for K - 12 teachers, STEM coordinators, and administrators nationwide on how to put the “E” back into STEM instruction.

Join Museum president and NCTL founder Ioannis Miaoulis along with EiE staff and engineering education experts from across the country for interactive sessions that show you how to

  • navigate the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and make them work for you
  • use best practices for teaching K – 12 engineering
  • advocate effectively for engineering curricula and professional development to parents, industry, and policymakers
  • win STEM grant funding for your engineering projects

This engaging event is designed to bring you all the benefits of attending a national conference  . . . without the hassle of travel. There’s even a virtual exhibit hall! REGISTER before Nov. 2 to get the early bird rate. See you at the conference.

Test Scores Soar with EiE

Tully STEM teacher Laura Keeling and student work on an audio engineering challenge.Kids learn science better when they learn with EiE. This is more than a research finding—it’s what’s happening in schools like Tully Elementary School in in Louisville, KY. 

Kentucky recently put programs in place to close the achievement gap for minority, low-income, and English Language Learner students. About a third of Tully's nearly 700 students fit into these categories. But before these programs were enacted, in the 2011- 2012 school year, the state legislature enacted a new assessment program, the Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress, or K-PREP tests.

 “When the first scores came back, one of the biggest ‘A-ha’s!’ was that students identified as 'gap' did much better in science compared to other schools in the district,” says Tully principal Linda Dauenhauer. About 55% scored “proficient” or “distinguished” in science, compared to 45% in the district as a whole. That trend has continued; in 2013-2014, 73% scored “proficient” or “distinguished” in science, compared to 54% in the district as a whole.

 Kentucky won’t do science testing again till 2017, but Dauenhauer expects the trend to continue. “I credit the way EiE engages students in higher-order learning,” she says. “Principals in the district and surrounding counties are reaching out to learn more about what we’re doing with EiE.”

Visit the EiE Blog to read more about Tully Elementary.

Raytheon - EiE Symposium Creates PD "Community of Practice"

A teacher educator tries out a new EiE activity, engineering model anti-virals.Nearly 30 professional development (PD) providers from across the country gathered in Boston September 15 and 16 for the semi-annual Raytheon-EiE Invited Symposium. The event aims to create a "community of practice" for our PD collaborators as they come together to learn about new EiE initiatives and resources, and more importantly, to share their own innovative strategies for helping teachers implement the EiE curriculum.

“Good ideas were flying at this event,” says Shannon McManus, EiE’s PD manager. “On-line professional development, effective ways to roll out the curriculum to an entire school or district, strategies for enhancing EiE’s connections to new academic standards . . . every educator brought great insights to the table, and left with new things to try back home.”

The symposium is just one element of a much larger initiative, supported through a $2 million award by Raytheon to the Museum of Science, Boston, to enhance STEM education nationwide by jumpstarting use of the EiE curriculum in high-needs schools and districts.

MA Teachers Selected for Oracle-supported Scholarships

Massachusetts teachers at the August 2015 workshop supported by Oracle.Twenty Massachusetts elementary teachers will implement Engineering is Elementary (EiE) in their classrooms this fall thanks a grant from the information technology company Oracle.

Selected through a competitive process, the teachers received a complete set of EiE curriculum materials and attended a professional development (PD) workshop on August 18.

“Teacher training in STEM fields is critical to the growth, creativity and professional trajectory of tomorrow’s leading minds,” said Colleen Cassity, executive director of Oracle Giving & Volunteers and the Oracle Education Foundation. “EiE and Oracle share a commitment to advancing engineering education to a diverse range of students across the country.”

This is the second year that Oracle has supported elementary engineering education with a grant to the Museum. For a complete list of 2015 Oracle-EiE PD scholarship recipients, click HERE

EiE Teacher Tip: Storybook Illustrations Support ELA Instruction

Every Engineering is Elementary unit starts with a storybook that sets the context for the hands-on engineering design challenge. And every storybook has 15 or more illustrations. Did you know these illustrations are available to download from our website? They’re a terrific teaching tool for the English Language Learners in your class.

Characters from the EiE storybook 'Saving Salia's Turtle"Here’s one idea: Instead of reading the storybook aloud, word for word, project the illustrations while you retell the story at a language level that’s appropriate for your students.

Here’s another idea: Print out the illustrations and use them in classroom activities. For example, help students understand plot and sequence by asking them to put 3 to 5 illustrations in order, then use them as prompts to tell the story on their own: "What happened first?" "What happened next?"

This could also be a writing activity, where you ask students to put the illustrations in order, then write a sentence about what’s happening in each illustration.

To get more EiE Teacher Tips like this every Thursday, subscribe to the EiE Blog!

Meet the EiE Team: Corey Niemann

Corey Niemann is EiE's PD coordinator.Have you called EiE to ask about a workshop? The friendly voice on the phone is Corey Niemann, our professional development (PD) coordinatoryour first point of contact for all PD needs.

Corey also prepares materials for onsite and offsite workshops. “Making sure the boxes get where they’re going, that supplies are organized and replenished, a lot goes into prepping a workshop!” he says.

A native of St. Louis, Corey has a degree in international studies and human rights. On a semester abroad in Egypt, experience with an afterschool program for latchkey kids sparked his interest in education. “I knew I didn’t want to be a teacher, but it got me thinking about support roles,” he says.

After college Corey did policy research for an education nonprofit in St. Louis. He came to Boston for love (his girlfriend is here) and looked for education support jobs. “I happened upon EiE at the perfect time,” he says.

Like everyone at EiE, Corey likes to learn new stuff and has been growing his design skills. Now, when he’s not wearing his “PD coordinator” hat, he’s our graphic designer. The banner on this newsletter, online toolkits, conference handouts—that’s all Corey’s work!

See You at the Conference!
Come say hi to EiE! We’ll be talking about our research on elementary engineering or leading workshops, and/or hosting a booth at these upcoming STEM events: CSTA Conference 2015 Logo

CLICK HERE for full details on where to find EiE presentations and workshops at each conference.

Grow With Us! PD Workshops, Your Site or Ours

EiE professional development workshops build your skills and confidence.We offer hands-on, highly engaging EiE Professional Development Workshops. Come to one of our sites, or request an EiE facilitator to come to your school or district.

Teacher Educator Institutes:  

These intensive three-day workshops certify EiE Professional Development educators. 

Everyone Engineers!

These two-day, hands-on workshops give you the skills to implement EiE in your classroom. Offered at MOS, Boston. 

Linking the E & M in STEM

Integrate EiE with Common Core math standards. Offered at MOS, Boston.

Improving Your EiE Practice

EiE’s newest workshop is for educators who want to take their EiE teaching to the next level.