Dear Stoddert Families,Hello, and I hope all is well. 3rd and 4th grade students are engaged in a STEM project during STEM class that incorporates their interests/passions with Stoddert core values. The process goes as follows:

1. choose a topic
   
   1. construct questions about topic (this guides research)
2. research for information
   1. use dcps.folletdestiny.com, library books, google (teacher’s permission), scholarly articles, dclibrary.org, and other forms of research. NO WIKIPEDIA
   2. students have to reference their “resources” to ensure that they are stating facts from a trusted resources especially websites (preferably – .org/.gov./.edu)
3. organize information (prepare for presentation)
   1. collaborate with peers and/or me to adequately prepare for their presentation (such as technology assistance or creating scripts, etc..)
4. present and share with the class (4min. presentations)
   

Each step has instruction (facilitated by me) that is inquiry based (posing questions to students) about the progress they are making towards their culminating activity, which is there presentation. Each presentation is assessed on a 4 point rubric that focuses on quality of work, time-management, focus on task, and completion of their project.

All research and other work is done in school during STEM class, but I find that students are so engaged that it spills over outside of school. Students culminating activities can be a wide-range of things such as:

• tri-fold poster
• regular poster
• poems-skits
• powerpoint presentation (which is taught in class via-office 365 on CLEVER)
• songs and etc…..

**students should be “thinking outside the box” when preparing for their presentation. Meaning that they are being creative and doing something they are comfortable presenting that demonstrates their identity as a learner..

Students are provided with all the materials and supplies needed in class to be successful. Parents should not have to buy anything to support this project unless they want too. This project should conclude around the week of 2/3, and students will present the week of 2/10. Please if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me via-email.Thank you and have a great day!

Respectfully,

Mark A. McCantsSTEM Enrichment/Math ResourceStoddert Elementary School | DCPS

4001 Calvert Street, NW | Washington, DC 20007

P:202-553-8180 | E:mark.mccants@dc.gov//www.stoddert.org

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To be a role model for academic excellence.

School Motto:

Today we learn, tomorrow we lead.