Welcome to Ms. Komm’s STEM Class
Grade 7 2023-2024 Syllabus
Contact Information - [email protected]
I look forward to being your STEM teacher within the 2023-2024 school year.
STEM develops a set of thinking, reasoning, teamwork, investigative, and creative skills that students can use in all areas of their lives. STEM is a flexible process that takes students from identifying a problem—or a design challenge—to creating and developing a solution. In this process, students define problems, conduct background research, develop multiple ideas for solutions, develop and create a prototype, and then test, evaluate, and redesign them. Teams of students try their own research-based ideas, take different approaches, make mistakes, accept and learn from them, and try again. Their focus is on developing solutions.
In order to create and maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning, I ask that you please review the syllabus for student performance expectations in our classroom and lab safety contract. Please sign and return the accompanying electronic form (found in OnCourse Classroom) to ensure that both student and parent/guardian have reviewed this information. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.Email is the best way to reach me.
UNITS AT A GLANCE
Introduction to STEM and the Engineer Design Process
Rapid Prototyping and 3D Design
Robotics
Project Management
A CLOSER LOOK AT STEM
STEM is very student driven, meaning students will be responsible to pace themselves through long term research, creations, group work and building projects. The teacher will be assisting and guiding students through the process; however, students will have to self monitor to complete work by deadlines. It is imperative that students understand their working time is just that, not time to surf the internet, do nothing, or socialize. There are projects students may need to bring supplies in for; students will be given ample notice about supplies that will be needed.
In STEM lessons, the path to learning is open ended, within constraints. (Constraints generally involve things like available materials.) The students’ work is hands-on and collaborative, and decisions about solutions are student-generated. Students communicate to share ideas and redesign their prototypes as needed. They control their own ideas and design their own investigations.
The STEM environment offers rich possibilities for creative solutions. When designing and testing prototypes, teams may flounder and fail to solve the problem. That’s okay, as long as each student put in true effort and consistent hard work. They are expected to learn from what went wrong, and try again. Failure is considered a positive step on the way to discovering and designing solutions. This class is meant to be fun, spark creativity and drive to solve some of the world’s smallest to largest problems while fostering a curiosity about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (edweek.org). We are looking forward to embarking on this journey together!
As projects are worked on, supplies and other belongings are often left around the room to store. This does NOT mean they are free to take or disrupt. Please be respectful of other people's work.
BE SUCCESSFUL IN CLASS - BRING THE REQUIRED MATERIALS
- Folder to store important documents and pencils and erasers for classwork.
- Student Issued Chromebook and charger.
- Student issued ID - to be worn throughout the day, and used to swipe in and out.
- Recommended: Agenda pad to record important dates.
GRADING POLICY
- Your grade will be based on academic achievement and comprised of assessments (95%) and homework (5%).
- Assessments include classwork, projects, tests and more.
- Late assignments Points will be deducted each day an assignment is late past the due date. After the fifth day, the assignment will earn a zero. Once an assignment is reviewed, it may not be made up.
- Assessments are based on achievement, as opposed to standards; therefore they are assigned points based on the rigor of the assignment. Example: 20/25 = .80 x 100 = 80% = B-
- Plagiarism, including AI responses, is an academic infraction within our integrity policy.
LETTER AND NUMERICAL GRADE
A+ = 97-100
A = 93-96
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D = 65-69
F = 64 or below
ONCOURSE AND ONCOURSE CLASSROOM
STUDENTS
This year, assignments and assessments will be posted in OnCourse Classroom. It is extremely important that you check the assignments that are posted in OnCourse classroom every day.
*Check OnCourse Classroom for assignments that you miss when you are absent from school.
PARENTS
It is strongly encouraged to check Oncourse weekly with your child to monitor student progress. Homework assignments populate at 3pm each day.
RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
1. TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAMWORK. STEM requires a great deal of collaboration. Students are expected to be respectful of their peers, their teacher, and others’ personal items. It’s ok to agree or respectfully disagree during class discussions.
2. BE ON TIME FOR CLASS. Attendance will be recorded at the start of class each day. As per school rules, after the 5th late a student will be given a 2 day detention. A 3 day administrative detention will be given for the 10th late, and Saturday detention or ISS will be given for 15+ lates.
3. BE PREPARED. When class begins, have materials ready, be seated and silent when the bell rings. Copy new homework and important dates into an agenda pad/notebook, review the Do Now and be ready for class discussion. All assignments are expected to be submitted prior to the start of the class period unless instructed otherwise. Pencil sharpening, organizing handouts, etc. should all be done quietly in the beginning of class while students are working on the Do Now.
4. PARTICIPATION PARTIER!! Show understanding and respond when the teacher engages in class discussions. ALWAYS ask questions!
5. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE GIVEN. No lab or activity materials on desks are to be touched until directions are reviewed and permission is given. Additionally, misuse of any class materials will result in an immediate referral to administration and potentially a grade of zero will be earned. Please review lab safety contract for more information.
6. STUDENT ID/HALL PASS WILL SERVE AS STUDENT’S HALL PASS. Permission, Student ID AND a hall pass are required to leave the classroom for ANY reason. Unless the academic activity requires movement, students should not be out of their seat for any reason. Students will ask for permission before leaving their seat, or the classroom. Students will be required to sign in and out of the classroom.
7. THE BELL DOESN’T DISMISS STUDENTS. The teacher will dismiss the class when materials are cleaned, the lesson is complete, chairs are tucked in, and any trash or items are either picked up or thrown out.
8. WEAR SCHOOL APPROPRIATE CLOTHING. Please see the dress code in the student handbook, and follow accordingly to ensure a non-distracting and safe learning environment.
9. In the event a student is absent, it is their responsibility to gather and complete missed assignments upon return to school. Missed assignments and worksheets will be stored in the “absentee bin” and in OnCourse classroom. It is recommended students have a study buddy to get their missed work. For clarification check in with the study buddy first or teacher. Students will respectfully have the number of days out to make up missing work.
10. EVERY ACTION HAS A REACTION. All school rules apply at all times. STEM is educational but can be fun and exciting too; however, requires students to be safe, respectful, pay attention, and follow procedures and guidelines. Students will be given a warning and/or a consequence deemed appropriate for their action.
After reviewing this form and lab safety contract with a parent or guardian, please complete the acknowledgement form (found in OnCourse Classroom).