Why Teach GreenSTEM?
It creates a space in which students...
love learning, care about others and the environment,
are motivated to understand local problems and passionate about designing solutions,
are inspired to be active citizens and learners beyond the classroom.
GreenSTEM learners see a meaningful real-world purpose to what is being learned, and feel a sense of accomplishment when their knowledge and actions make a difference.
Learner:
“Why do I have to learn this? Who cares? It’s boring!”
GreenSTEM experiences disprove this! Specific achievable solutions to school and community problems are directly connected to content.
Learner:
“It does not matter what I do. The problems are too big.”
GreenSTEM experiences spark student motivation by directly affecting the student or something the student cares about.
Educator:
“How do I get my students to love learning?”
GreenSTEM learners experience the positive impact their knowledge has on solving problems they care about, which sparks
desire and confidence to do more. Learners can identify themselves in STEM careers.
Higher ed, employers: “How can we motivate students to take STEM classes and pursue STEM careers?”
GreenSTEM learners in schools can partner with organizations to investigate problems and design solutions by contributing time, data, materials, innovative ideas, and actual solution designs.
Citizens, scientists:
“There are too many problems and not enough resources to solve them.”
LEARNERS & EDUCATORS ...
care about learning and teaching because they see the relevance of working on a real world problem that affects them or something important to them. They become engaged citizens by solving real problems, and make connections with STEM careers.
ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNITY...
benefit when learners contribute knowledge, skills, innovative ideas, time and resources to design solutions for problems that affect the natural world and citizens.
"I love the GreenSTEM focus. It encourages students to be observant of the world around them, see problems, and then be motivated to solve them. Students are empowered when they feel like they can make a difference."
Middle school teacher, GreenSTEM workshop
"Approaching a project with an open inquiry allows for students to have different ideas to solve a problem. Each idea can lead to discovery of what works and what does not. This is most helpful because it allows students to explore a wide range of possibilities, and to think and rethink the process of discovery."
Teacher, GreenSTEM Workshop
"I believe that if you bring aquaponics into the middle schools, you are essentially empowering the future island citizens. When the youth learn ways to grow their own food, they can take ownership of their personal health and wellness."
Leah Koch, Guam teacher
"It is very important that the content students learn at school helps them understand our island environment and leads them toward participating in our island conservation."
Teacher, Guam