Social Networking through STEM
Abstract: STEM Education has been at the forefront of educational planning in the US for several years. As mathematics and science teacher educators, it is our responsibility to engage and build confidence for preservice teachers to design and implement authentic standards-based STEM lessons, while ensuring age-appropriate technologies are used. Throughout the mathematics and science methods courses, K-6 Teacher Education students engaged in a STEM lessons. Using mobile devices, laptops, or iPads, the students “tweeted” their successes and challenges during the design process. Pictures and videos of their progress were also posted on their Twitter account. One of the same design projects was also implemented in a 5th grade classroom. The technologies were adapted to 5th graders which for one included using Instagram instead of Twitter. In this session we will share the success and challenges from both groups of students and our plans to implement in other grade levels.