10 Performance-Based STEM Projects for Grades 2-3

INTRODUCTION Why Project-Based Learning? Why STEM? Why STEM and PBL? How This Book Is Organized Project 1: Communicate Effectively Project Outline: Create a Book Trailer Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Goes on the Back of a Book Cover? Lesson: How to Shorten a 2-Hour Movie Into a 2-Minute Trailer Handouts Product Rubric Project 2: Focus on Inquiry and Collaboration Project Outline: Paper Versus Plastic Suggested Timeline Lesson: Introduction to Debate Lesson: What Makes an Argument Effective? Lesson: Conducting Research Handout Product Rubric Project 3: Understand Multiple Content Areas Project Outline: An Origami Ecosystem Museum Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Is an Ecosystem? Lesson: Roles in an Ecosystem Lesson: What Is Origami? Lesson: Museum Displays Handouts Product Rubric Project 4: Explore Contemporary Issues Project Outline: Made in Taiwan Suggested Timeline Lesson: Locating Where Clothing Is Manufactured Lesson: Determining Distances Handout Project 5: Use Technology, Math, and Reasoning Project Outline: The Inkblot Test Suggested Timeline Lesson: What Do You See? Handouts Product Rubric Project 6: Use and Analyze Models Project Outline: A Bridge Too Far? Suggested Timeline Lesson: Types of Bridges Handouts Product Rubric Project 7: Record and Analyze Data Project Outline: Is the Weather Report Always Right? Suggested Timeline Lesson: How to Check the Weather Lesson: Recording Data Handout Product Rubric Project 8: Investigate Change Over Time and Patterns Project Outline: The Times Are Changing Suggested Timeline Lesson: How Does Technology Change? Lesson: What Is an Effective Display? Handouts Product Rubric Project 9: Use Computer Models or Simulations Project Outline: Redesigning the Classroom Suggested Timeline Lesson: Determining the Size of the ClassroomLesson: Rethinking the Classroom Product Rubric Project 10: Construct and Explain Systems Project Outline: So You Want to Be an Inventor? Suggested Timeline Lesson: Inventing Handouts Product Rubric DEVELOP YOUR OWN STEM PROJECTS REFERENCES ABOUT THE AUTHOR NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS ALIGNMENT COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS ALIGNMENT