Full STEAM Ahead ICTM, ISTA, & IDEEA Annual Conference

Harnessing younger students’ innate curiosity about the natural world and desire to protect it can be done with hands-on classroom activities that build STEAM skills, increase environmental literacy and show sustainable paths forward. In this session, the presenter will facilitate a series of interdisciplinary lessons that involve collecting and analyzing data, creating 3D models and working collaboratively on solving authentic problems. In one activity, participants solve word problems and use packing peanuts to model CO2 production and absorption in carbon sinks. In another, they use engineering skills in experimenting ways to clean up a local river. In yet another activity, they explore the importance of green spaces on human well-being and design an imaginary city to meet the green space needs for its residents. Activities support Idaho State Content Standards in Science, especially ESS-3 (Earth and Human Activity) and Ecosystems (LS-2).