STEAM Makers: Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Elementary Classroom / Edition 1

by Jacie Maslyk

Overview

Build the essential 4—creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking!

Go beyond theory and learn how to systematically integrate STEAM and Maker spaces that prepare students for real-world experiences. This engaging resource outlines step-by-step processes to help anyone start their STEAM and Maker journey. Includes charts, checklists, web links, and profiles to help you make meaningful subject area connections and tap your students’ natural curiosity.

You’ll learn to:

• Integrate STEAM and Making into daily practice
• Differentiate instruction for all learners
• Align with core standards and The Next Generation Science Standards

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506311241
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/25/2016
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Jacie Maslyk, Ed D has served in public education over the last 19 years. During that time, she has served in many roles. As a classroom teacher and reading specialist, she worked in both inner-city and suburban school districts. She served as an elementary school principal and Director of Elementary Education for the last ten years, with extensive experience in curriculum, assessment, and instruction. A successful school leader, she was recognized as a National Distinguished Principal finalist in Pennsylvania in 2013 and 2014. Recently, Dr. Maslyk has been named the Assistant Superintendent of the Hopewell Area School District.

The author served as an Editorial Advisor for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Principal Magazine, contributing to several articles. In addition, she has published a number of articles on Response to Intervention and Instruction, school leadership, the Common Core, STEAM education, and the Maker Movement. In 2015, she was awarded the Frank S. Manchester Award for Excellence in Journalism from the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (PAESSP). She has made dozens of presentations at the local, state, and national level at various conferences and workshops. She presented on STEAM at the annual conference for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

The author is also involved in a variety of STEAM and Making initiatives in the field of education. She served on the Advisory Board for the Mobile MAKESHOP at the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum and led one of the first elementary schools serving as a mobile maker site. She is also on the Spark Advisory Committee for the Sprout Fund, a national organization that supports innovative ideas and provides funds for catalyzing change in the areas of creativity, innovation, and cultivating connected communities.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
Chapter 1. Learn
Chapter 2. Change
Chapter 3. Fail
Chapter 4. Connect
Chapter 5. Build
Chapter 6. Network
Chapter 7. Start
Appendices
References and Additional Resources
Index

Editorial Reviews

Maslyk’s book provides insight into several fascinatingly different ways that the STEAM Maker movement has manifested itself in schools in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. In addition, we learn the author's inside story about how the STEAM Maker movement has developed over time in her school. Each instantiation of the STEAM Maker movement described in this book represent a unique and creative way that schools are helping today's students learn and do math, science, engineering, art, and technology. For any one interested in this kind of education, this book is a must-read.

Barbara Levin & Lynne Schrum

If your school is at the entry point of knowing that you need to begin providing opportunities for STEM education, but are unsure of how to begin, STEAM Makers will quickly become your “go to” source. The author has done an amazing job of providing a mentor text that is written in a style that addresses the beginning questions of why to make time for this when faced with many demands for student improvement, as well as realistic step-by-step guidance on how to implement.

The reader begins to feel that he or she is in the room talking with the author about STEAM, and because of this, it is hard to put down. While this is essential, the author also provides numerous resource options to continue to pick the text up as you undergo the implementation of STEAM in your school or classroom. This will not be a book that just sits on your shelf.

You will feel empowered and ready to provide these opportunities to your students after reading STEAM Makers.

Jason Thompson - Assistant Principal

STEAM Makers presents a crucial topic for educators who want to ensure that their students are prepared not to simply do well on tests, but to be active participants in our rapidly changing economy. This book is a must-read for those who believe STEAM and Making are important, but may be overwhelmed by how to infuse this focus into their school culture. Upon completing this book, teachers will be prepared to open the minds of their students, increase critical thinking and motivation with even their most challenging students, and increase parent and community involvement in schools in a spectacular way.

Nina Orellana - Title I / MTSS Coordinator

"More than ever before, schools are being called on to create cultures of innovation, moving from the industrial era one-size-fits-all, teacher-centric approach which remained prevalent in America’s schools for over a century, to learning that is personalized, relevant, and full of rigorous and authentic opportunities for all students. STEAM Makers provides invaluable insight into the necessary shifts in instructional pedagogy needed to create learning environments and opportunities that are future ready.”

Thomas C. Murray

STEAM Makers provides concrete evidence that the STEAM Maker movement will help our schools engage students in the lost art of learning through invention.

Catherine Hernandez - Trashy Treaures Teacher

"This book will make you want to be better for kids. With compelling examples, provocative questions, and a pragmatic roadmap, STEAM Makers cuts through the jargon and offers readers a vision of the future of education. Jacie Maslyk masterfully empowers readers to be dreamers and change-makers. "

Dr. Brad Gustafson

STEAM Makers connects the creativity of makers to the innovation of STEAM in the everyday classroom. This book is an excellent guide and resource for teachers and administrators to begin building making spaces in their own classrooms, school buildings, and school districts.

Hope Edlin - Teacher

STEAM Makers in the Elementary Classroom connects the creativity of Makers to the innovation of STEAM in the everyday classroom. This book is an excellent guide and resource for teachers and administrators to begin building making spaces in their own classrooms, school buildings, and school districts.

Hope Edin - Teacher