ST1.7
STEM educators collaborate as an interdisciplinary team to plan, implement, and improve integrated STEM learning experiences.
All LSHS teachers take part in at least one content specific Professional Learning Community (PLCs) that is guided by administration and/or their department chair. The purpose of these PLCs is to provide a common planning, wherein teachers use the Learning Focused Schools (LFS) Framework to increase student engagement and performance, to plan for instruction, to share and refine effective instructional strategies, and to facilitate the routine analysis of both formative and summative assessment data. LFS strategies are the instructional framework for the Douglas County School System and LSHS, and improve student achievement by focusing on the delivery and monitoring of instruction by utilizing higher-order thinking skills and/or differentiation.
STEM teachers are not only members of their content specific PLCs, but are also members of the STEM PLC. The STEM PLC meets several times each week, and focuses on interdisciplinary unit development, data collection, and student monitoring. Further, teachers work in grade-level cohorts to analyze data, adjust lessons to improve student engagement and learning, and to fully integrate STEM concepts into all content areas. Teachers provide on-going feedback pertaining to student performance, which is used in the development and implementation of strategies designed to enhance student engagement and achievement.
While the LSHS STEM Academy prides itself on including other disciplines outside the traditional scope of STEM in its planning, we would like to further improve our inclusion of these teachers and subjects in the planning process. Due to scheduling conflicts, English, Social Studies, and Foreign Language teachers are often unable to attend PLC meetings in person and instead collaborate almost exclusively via online platforms. As scheduling and other administrative decisions are made, it is the hope of the Academy to be able to offer more opportunities for these teachers to collaborate in real time with the rest of their STEM PLC members. In doing so, the Academy hopes to only further the scope and reach of our interdisciplinary planning and curriculum.
STEM teachers are not only members of their content specific PLCs, but are also members of the STEM PLC. The STEM PLC meets several times each week, and focuses on interdisciplinary unit development, data collection, and student monitoring. Further, teachers work in grade-level cohorts to analyze data, adjust lessons to improve student engagement and learning, and to fully integrate STEM concepts into all content areas. Teachers provide on-going feedback pertaining to student performance, which is used in the development and implementation of strategies designed to enhance student engagement and achievement.
While the LSHS STEM Academy prides itself on including other disciplines outside the traditional scope of STEM in its planning, we would like to further improve our inclusion of these teachers and subjects in the planning process. Due to scheduling conflicts, English, Social Studies, and Foreign Language teachers are often unable to attend PLC meetings in person and instead collaborate almost exclusively via online platforms. As scheduling and other administrative decisions are made, it is the hope of the Academy to be able to offer more opportunities for these teachers to collaborate in real time with the rest of their STEM PLC members. In doing so, the Academy hopes to only further the scope and reach of our interdisciplinary planning and curriculum.
Calendar of STEM Department Meetings: This slideshow includes 12 months of STEM PLC, Cross-Curricular Project (CCP), and Science Fair Planning meetings. This demonstrates the consistency and dedication of the STEM staff in collaboration with one another in achieving success for our student population. Using STEM meetings as a tool for continual growth and improvement, the STEM staff at our school are constantly adapting to provide our students authentic STEM experiences.
Minutes from PLC Meetings: The minutes taken at each meeting reflect our collaboration and planning that prioritizes lesson adjustment and provides each teacher with valuable data to revise and reteach. We also have a common planning period which allows for the in-depth planning we are able to conduct.
Review of Student Work: Reviewing student work is vital to allow for remediation or acceleration when needed. The samples provide the PLC with important data necessary for ensuring standard mastery of the standards. These are examples of student work featuring appropriate feedback.