What if you could challenge your first graders to imagine saving an endangered species, learning about different global habitats along the way? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can! Habitats Local and Far Away outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. Like the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K–12 classrooms. This interdisciplinary, four-lesson module uses project- and problem-based learning to help students develop an action plan to encourage preservation of an endangered species. Students will work in teams to describe the habitat characteristics of a species outside their home region, explain why the species is endangered, and offer solutions about how humans might be able to support this species’ survival. In developing their plan, they will act as explorers of species locally and around the world, learning about climate, plant and animal inhabitants, and key factors affecting habitat vitality or decline. To support this goal, students will do the following: Explain that there are various types of habitats that vary with geographical location around the world Identify several habitats in the U.S. and globally Explain how various habitats meet animals’ basic needs Identify climatic characteristics of several habitats Identify humans as species that live within and in interaction with various habitats Identify technological advances and tools that scientists use to learn about habitats and endangered species Design and construct models to demonstrate understanding of features of various habitats (local and global) and endangered species Apply their knowledge of habitat characteristics, interdependence in ecosystems, and endangered species to develop an action plan to help preserve their selected endangered species The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. In-depth and flexible, Habitats Local and Far Away can be used as a whole unit or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools, and teachers who are charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

What if you could challenge your kindergarten students to compare their local habitats with other habitats in the United States? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can! Habitats in the United States outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. Like the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K–12 classrooms. This interdisciplinary, three-lesson module uses project- and problem-based learning to help students look at their own neighborhood, city, state, and beyond to learn about the geography and habitats of various regions of the United States. Students will gather information on habitats and their similarities and differences based on weather, climate, and the animals, plants, and people residing there, to develop a reference manual for local zoo officials reorganizing their animal displays. To support this goal, students will do the following: Explain that there are different types of habitats in different parts of the U.S. Explain how various habitats sustain animals and plants Identify climatic characteristics of several habitats Apply their knowledge of habitats to develop a reference guide about habitats in the U.S. Utilize technology to gather research information and communicate Identify technological advances and tools that scientists use to learn about sustainable systems Design and construct models of habitats Understand local weather patterns and make connections among weather patterns and plant and animal life where they live The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. In-depth and flexible, Habitats in the United States can be used as a whole unit or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools, and teachers who are charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

What if you could challenge your fourth graders to create a minimally invasive, highly efficient dam? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can! Hydropower Efficiency outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. Like the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K–12 classrooms. This interdisciplinary, four-lesson module uses project- and problem-based learning to help students create a highly efficient dam that has a minimal impact on the environment. Students will explore the use of natural resources to provide energy needs, specifically hydropower, while exploring the workings of watermills, wind turbines, and generators to help build an understanding of the effects of dams. In creating their dam, they will learn about the various types of alternative hydropower sources, including wave and tidal power, and track the progress of electrification in the U.S. on a timeline; alongside researching the positive and negative consequences of hydropower. To support this goal, students will do the following: Use the engineering design process (EDP) to create a design for a dam, wind turbine, and water wheel Compare and contrast renewable power sources Evaluate power sources for efficiency Identify positive and negative consequences of human modifications of the environment Identify and describe how several sources of renewable energy are used across the U.S. Use mapping skills to determine where natural resources are being accessed for energy usage Effectively utilize shapes, materials, and measurements to create a model of a hydropower system The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. In-depth and flexible, Hydropower Efficiency can be used as a whole unit or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools, and teachers who are charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

STEM Road Map: A Framework for Integrated STEM Education is the first resource to offer an integrated STEM curricula encompassing the entire K-12 spectrum, with complete grade-level learning based on a spiraled approach to building conceptual understanding. A team of over thirty STEM education professionals from across the U.S. collaborated on the important work of mapping out the Common Core standards in mathematics and English/language arts, the Next Generation Science Standards performance expectations, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning into a coordinated, integrated, STEM education curriculum map. The book is structured in three main parts—Conceptualizing STEM, STEM Curriculum Maps, and Building Capacity for STEM—designed to build common understandings of integrated STEM, provide rich curriculum maps for implementing integrated STEM at the classroom level, and supports to enable systemic transformation to an integrated STEM approach. The STEM Road Map places the power into educators’ hands to implement integrated STEM learning within their classrooms without the need for extensive resources, making it a reality for all students.

Featuring a team of over thirty STEM education professionals from across the United States, the updated and revised edition of this landmark book provides an integrated STEM curriculum encompassing the entire K-12 spectrum, with complete grade-level learning based on a spiraled approach to building conceptual understanding. Taking into account the last five years of evolution in STEM education, the second edition includes an increased focus on computer science, computational thinking, mathematics, and the arts, as well as cultural relevance and addressing the needs of diverse learners and underrepresented students. Divided into three main parts – Conceptualizing STEM, STEM Curriculum Maps, and Building Capacity for STEM – each section is designed to build common understandings of integrated STEM, provide rich curriculum maps for implementing integrated STEM at the classroom level, and offer supports to enable systemic transformation to an integrated STEM approach. Written for teachers, policymakers, and administrators, this second edition is fully updated to account for the needs of K-12 learners in the innovation age. STEM Road Map 2.0 enables educators to implement integrated STEM learning into their classroom without the need for extensive resources, empowering educators and supporting students.

On title page: Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife & Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). About endangered species