Digital STEM - Specification

Digital STEM is a blended-learning solution for teaching science using STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) scenarios. It contains a collection of computer software simutations based upon real-world activities, multimedia classroom presentations, student assessments, practical activities, interactive applications and scientific investigations.

Simulations

Many of the activities within Digital STEM use LJ Create's unique, real-world STEM application simulators. The example displayed in the screen shot above is from the Mag Lev Simulator. This application allows student to use design a propulsion system, setup a magnetic levitation system and build safety buffers for an airport transportation system. The activities involved with this task are designed to help teach the New York Science Standards and the open-ended question cover the Common Core standards as well.

The simulators allow the students to control equipment on the screen and configure the variables involved in the experiment.

In this case, the students control the speed that the Mag Lev travels at when it hits the buffer system.

Presentations

Multimedia presentations explain the theory behind each science topic. The presentations are illustrated throughout with photographs, diagrams, animations and video clips. Each slide takes the students through a explanation step by step and a voice-over is available to help students who may have difficultly reading the text. Each presentation also includes questions to check the students' comprehension of the topic that they are working through.

Investigations

Investigates are open-ended activities designed to encourage the students to evaluate the information that they have been given and formulate their own theories or explanations. Questions in the investigations are desgined to test the skills required by the Common Core Standards.

Many investigations also include the use of the specially designed STEM interactive simulators.

Assessmentss

The assessments are a series of questions about the current topic.

Standards Mapping

Each lesson is linked directly with the appropriate standards so a teacher can choose lessons based upon which New York Science Standard she needs the students to learn, or which Common Core Standard must be covered.