Do you work with STEM initiatives? Congratulations on being on the cutting edge of one of the most important programs taking place in schools today! STEM currently occupies center stage in efforts to integrate these disciplines and teach students to solve real-problems using engineering practices.
The best STEM classes feature collaboration and teamwork—21st-century skills all students need, no matter what their career paths; therefore, preparing kids to work together successfully in teams plays a critical role in today’s STEM classes. Here is a starter set of ideas teachers may find useful for priming kids to work creatively and productively in STEM teams.
Prepare for Teams in Advance
Keep in mind: STEM teams should foster a sense of purpose, creativity, accomplishment, and a spirit that team members need one another to solve problems. Planning ahead helps to set teams up for success as they begin their journey.
Begin by deciding on team sizes that work best for the engineering challenge students will tackle. STEM team sizes generally vary in number from two to six, depending on how many students are needed to complete the activity successfully. When deciding on the size of the team, look at the number and kinds of tasks each team will need to accomplish. Assign enough team members so that all tasks can be accomplished in the allotted time, making sure each team member will have a necessary job. Try to establish these teams ahead of time so that on the first day of the STEM lesson, kids can go directly to their teams and be ready to work.
Be sure students have the skills needed to complete the required tasks. During STEM lesson activities, team members may be measuring, weighing, constructing, or recording data on an electronic spreadsheet. If, for example, they will be weighing items using triple beam balances or electronic balances, teach them how to do this prior to the lesson. Students should also have background understandings of the math and science content they will need to apply to this challenge.
Help Students Understand the Value of Teamwork
Students become good team members when they value working together. Explain that engineers work in teams to develop solutions because they each bring a different set of skills and expertise to a project. Students will also need each other’s expertise to make decisions and complete projects in the STEM lessons. Consider letting students on each team share their personal strengths as team members with one another.
Make Clear Goals
Team members are more successful when they have a clear goal and outcome for their teamwork. At the beginning of your lesson, use an engaging method to clearly define the purpose for the teams’ work and the challenge they will tackle. Allow time for team members to ask questions and clarify expected outcomes.
Establish Procedures for Teams to Follow
Make it clear to team members what they should work on as a team, what they should do individually, how long their work should take, and what specific procedures they should follow. Clear instructions can help them stay on task and focused on what they need to accomplish. You will need to do this with every lesson, since each lesson will likely require a different set of procedures.
Help Students Develop Successful Teamwork Skills
Work on this area over time during lessons. You might focus each STEM lesson on helping students develop a different teamwork skill. Some skills you might focus on include showing respect, accepting differences, listening actively, staying on task, accepting responsibility, and maintaining positive attitudes. A couple of other ideas:
- Guide teams in setting norms. It sets the stage for positive interaction. Students will be more likely to buy into the procedures if each team sets its own norms, and if these norms help them learn what behaviors they value in one another.
Monitor Teamwork Regularly
Walk around the room to check on each team’s progress. Limit the time you spend with each team so that you can observe and assist all teams. If a team needs a little more of your time, try to get them to a point where they can work alone for a few minutes while you check in with other teams. Then return and help them with the next step.
Evaluate Team Progress
Regularly collect student feedback on how effectively teams are working. When walking around you might make a note of such things as beneficial team interactions, newly mastered skills, and progress in solving the challenge.
Leave Time at the End of Class to Debrief
Give team members a chance to think and talk together about the quality of their work, their team strengths, and the opportunities they have for improvement. As much as possible, give team members individual feedback on the quality of their contributions to the team.
As you go about the task of establishing productive student STEM teams, you will face some daunting obstacles as well as successes. Be persistent and committed to making those teams successful. It’s worth your time to help students engage in focused, systematic teamwork to find solutions. In return, your students will gain valuable abilities in learning, social skills, and preparation for life and the workforce.
