services:
project snapshots: A sampling of Blue Heron STEM Education Projects
Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association
The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon
Middle School Module Development and Assessment
Project
Creating Content-Rich, Pedagogically Appropriate
Professional Development for
Teachers and College Faculty
Contributing to the Field of STEM Education
Creative Outreach through Author Visits
Cape Cod Cranberry
Growers’ Association ~ Interactive, On-Line Curriculum Outreach
In
2007, the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association (CCCGA) decided
to update its elementary school outreach offerings to include standards-based
educational experiences focused on cranberry agriculture and its
heritage. Without a dedicated education or IT staff, the organization
sought an engaging, attractive, low-tech resource. After listening
to CCCGA staff and growers, as well as poring over the association’s
photographic collections, Blue Heron was inspired not only to help
students appreciate the basics of cranberries and honor growers,
per se, but also to use cranberry culture as a dynamic context for
concepts students encounter in science, math, social studies, and
technology. We also saw the chance to engage students in multiple
opportunities for writing and nonfiction reading. Yet we knew that
not all teachers would be willing or able to devote time to using
this resource, even though it connects to educational standards.
The result: A flexible resource that allows for varying levels of
engagement and multiple uses, with lessons that help develop key
content and 21st century skills, described by CCCGA director Jeffrey
LaFleur as a “national model for our industry.”
More
information about this resource | Visit
Exploring Cranberries website
The
Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon ~ School Visits with
a STEM Focus
Who knew a football museum could be a place to explore STEM content?
With a staff dedicated to meaningful outreach to its region’s schools
and a high-tech industry partner, The Hall at Patriot Place decided
to increase its STEM offerings by providing school visit programs
that connect football to STEM fields. Working with staff, teacher
advisors, and and pilot school groups, Blue Heron developed programming
that has combined science and engineering/technology themes with
football and sports topics, creating lively experiences that appeal
to kids, whether or not they are true-blue sports fans.
Engaging Youth
through Engineering ~ Middle School Module Development and Assessment
Project
We are fully involved members of the writing and development team
for Engaging Youth through Engineering (EYE), an innovative and
exciting curriculum development and assessment project, funded by
a Discovery Research K-12 National Science Foundation grant. A project
of the Mobile (Alabama) Area Education Foundation, EYE received
a $3.6 million grant to develop and study the impact of incorporating
engineering modules into core math and science classrooms of middle
school students. This project is aimed not only at improving content
learning but also at inspiring students to choose to study these
subjects in high school. Designed for use with all classrooms and
all middle school students in the district, the modules are currently
implemented in two field test schools. Every module must tie into
grade-level science and math content that is keyed to the district’s
pacing guides for a particular time of the year, and introduces,
expands, or provides opportunities for students to apply relevant
content in the context of a design challenge. In addition, ties
to real-world and local industry contexts are emphasized in the
modules.
More
information about this resource | Visit
EYE website
Creating Content-Rich, Pedagogically Appropriate Professional Development for Teachers and College Faculty
With a past Professional Development Director for EiE as one of
Blue Heron’s leaders, it’s not surprising that Blue Heron is an
endorsed EiE professional development provider. We are referred
by EiE for high-profile work, including programs for the Arizona
Science Center and the Maryland Department of Education. We are
honored to be entrusted with these regional opportunities, but also
continue to find great reward in working on more local projects,
supporting school teachers in schools and districts that are beginning
or continuing their explorations and possible implementation of
EiE materials.
Contributing
to the Field of STEM Education
With our clients and independently, Blue Heron contributes to the
dialogue and growth of our profession by presenting at and participating
in numerous events. Examples include presentations and workshops
at the P-12 Summits on Engineering Design Research and Education,
National Science Teachers Association conferences, the National
Science Foundation’s DR K-12 annual meeting, and the Massachusetts
SE Region STEM Expo. Of course, we also find these events stimulating
and helpful to our own continued growth as educators .
Creative Outreach through
Author Visits
Blue
Heron is proud of its connection to acclaimed non-fiction books
for children; Blue Heron President Carolyn DeCristofano is also
the author of Leonardo’s ABC, Big Bang! The Tongue-Tickling
Tale of a Speck that Became Spectacular, and A Black Hole
is NOT a Hole. (The latter two books are recommended by the
National Science Teachers Association and have received recognition
from respected authorities in children’s publishing, such as the
American Library Association and the International Reading Association.)
Through imaginative workshops and presentations that tie to curriculum
standards, we provide engaging and creative opportunities in science
and ELA, in school and community settings.
