STEM/STEAM Ed in Bibb County 🛠

Bibb County School District has a STEM/STEAM Certification process starting 23-24 school year that allows you to work at your school's comfort level implementing STEM/STEAM teaching practices and experiences!

How does the Bibb County STEM/STEAM Certification work?

• Schools can use the Bibb County School District STEM/STEAM Continuum to determine the qualifications for Level 1-4 certification and decide on the details they are ready to implement. Details about each level are listed on this newsletter below. A printable copy can be accessed in the link provided above.
• Schools can earn badges to show where your school is on the Bibb County STEM/STEAM Continuum.
• STEM/STEAM Badges can be displayed on your school's website to proudly show off what your staff is doing to help introduce STEM/STEAM at your school and what level you have currently earned.

1. STEM/STEAM education is so important because there is a dire need for people with STEM skills in the workforce. Science and technology are becoming a bigger and bigger part of our lives!
2. STEM/STEAM education is not only about technical skills! STEM/STEAM problem solving fosters skills such as critical thinking, creativity, independence, and confidence.
3. STEM/STEAM education can also promote social skills. Working on a STEM/STEAM problems in a group promotes teamwork.
4. It’s also really important to start STEM/STEAM education early! According to a study from UC Irvine, developing math skills early leads to future academic success in all subjects.

• Schools at the Bronze Level will have a traditional school day with STEM/STEAM focused opportunities for students.
• STEM/STEAM has been defined as an area of priority by the Administration.
• A STEM/STEAM vision is created and posted throughout school.
• A school specific STEM/STEAM design process is adopted and implemented (Engineering Design Process, Design Thinking Process, or Claim-Evidence-Reasoning).
• STEM/STEAM opportunities are offered outside of the regular school day (i.e. 21st Century program, STEM/STEAM after school or during school clubs, science fair participation, technology fair, robotics team, drone team) with >10% of school population participating in these activities.
• Family Engagement and Community Involvement is limited to a STEM/STEAM Night, Math Night, or Science Night.
• Extra-curricular teaching staff participate and assist with implementing professional learning strategies in STEM/STEAM content and pedagogy (contact the district STEM Coordinator to set up).
• Some of the teaching staff attend at least one (1) STEM/STEAM or Technology Conference. Suggested conferences are: DigIn Technology Conference (Bibb), GAETC, Georgia STEM/STEAM Forum and share learnings with other teachers.
  

• Schools at Level 2 will have a traditional school day with STEM/STEAM experiences in addition to the daily curriculum.
• Meets Level 1 Descriptors
• STEM/STEAM experiences are provided in addition to the traditional school-day curriculum (ex. STEM/STEAM Specials/Connections class, STEM/STEAM Challenges, STEM/STEAM Days)
• STEM/STEAM extra-curricular opportunities incorporate > 15% of school population
• STEM/STEAM is implemented in > 25% of classrooms (ES/MS) OR in one (1) content area (MS/HS)
• Students produce a minimum of two (2) products using technology during classroom or extra-curricular STEM/STEAM opportunities (ex. Minecraft, Tinker Cad, iMovie)
• Collaboration with one (1) or more business partners, mentors, community partners to develop/implement/complete at least one STEM/STEAM project
• Administrators, instructional coach, and teaching staff participate in at least one (1) STEM or STEAM professional learning event and attend at least (1) STEM/STEAM/Technology Conference
• >30% of staff are working towards or have additional endorsements (ex. STEM endorsement,

• Traditional school day with STEM/STEAM experience integrated into the daily curriculum in two or more core content areas.
  
• Meets Level 2 Descriptors
• Project/Problem Based Learning (PBL) includes a minimum of 2 core content areas (STEAM will require arts integration in addition) in three units
• STEM/STEAM Integration aligns to current district CTAE pathways
• STEM/STEAM extra-curricular opportunities incorporate > 20% school population
• Two or more family engagement opportunities are offered (may include PBL showcases)
• STEM/STEAM is implemented in 75% of grade levels (ES/MS) OR a STEM/STEAM cohort program has been established (MS/HS only). Cohort selection is inclusive of all student groups.
• STEM/STEAM journal use is evident in participating classrooms
• Collaboration with five or more business partners, mentors, community partners to develop/implement/complete at least three STEM/STEAM projects
• Students produce a minimum of three (3) products using technology during PBL process
• >45% of staff are working towards or have additional endorsements (ex. STEM endorsement, gifted, K-5 math or science, AP, IB)

• Total school /program experience in which the vision and culture of STEM/STEAM is fully embedded into a cross-curricular Project/Problem-based learning approach across all content areas.
  
• Meets Level 3 descriptors
• Vision for STEM/STEAM is clearly defined and focused. Students and teachers can articulate this vision in their own words.
• Whole school (ES/MS) or program approach (MS/HS) to STEM/STEAM education
• Interdisciplinary learning and Project/Problem Based Learning (PBL) units are integrated across three (3) or more content areas and align to Georgia Standards of Excellence and CTAE pathway
• STEM/STEAM journal use is evident across interdisciplinary and Project/Problem Based Learning (PBL) units
• STEM/STEAM extra-curricular opportunities incorporate > 25% school population
• Students produce a minimum of (5) products yearly and integrate technology within all unit PBLs
• >60% of staff are working towards or have additional endorsements (ex. STEM endorse