10 Performance-Based STEM Projects for Grades 6-8

by Todd Stanley

10 Performance-Based STEM Projects for Grades 6–8 provides 10 ready-made projects designed to help students achieve higher levels of thinking and develop 21st-century skills while learning about science, technology, engineering, and math. All projects are aligned to national standards, allowing students to explore and be creative as well as gain an enduring understanding. Each project is linked to national STEM education goals and represents one of a variety of performance assessments, including oral presentations, research papers, and exhibitions. Included for each project are a suggested calendar to allow teachers to easily plan a schedule, mini-lessons that allow students to build capacity and gain an understanding of what they are doing, as well as multiple rubrics that can be used to objectively assess the performance of students. The lessons are laid out in an easy-to-follow format that will allow teachers to implement the projects immediately.

Grades 6–8

175 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2018

Reviews

[Lewie Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Author, Todd Stanley has developed a series of works that show the reader who is wanting to teach Performance-Based Stem Projects. This work is the last of four in the series, divided into grade levels starting with grades K-1; 2-3; 4-5, this work covers grades 6-8. The work is set up to be used during an entire school year. It is based on the national STEM education goals. Stanley breaks the work into ten parts which build on the projects that come before every project. So that by the end of the school year, the student will have learned these skills: how to communicate effectively, how to focus on inquiry and collaboration, how to understand multiple content areas, how to explore contemporary issues, how to use technology, math, and reasoning, how to use and analyze models, then how to record and analyze data, while they investigate change over time and patterns, by use of computer models or simulations, all while learning how to construct and explain systems. This work is for use in the middle grades and if the school district or school system has adopted the Common Core and STEM programs, then this work will tie well with they already have in place also for those who do not use the Common Core or STEM programs, this work will supplement the lesson plans already being used. Each project is set up in a lesson plan and the whole as a bundle allows the educator to move their students toward a higher goal than not using the system. The work has all the handouts and references to do all ten projects. It is well laid out and offers plenty of instruction on how the educator can complete the entire work in just one school year. Well worth the suggested price of $39.95. Even if the educator does not choose to use the work, it even tells the educator how to develop their own projects.