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STEM Careers: Your Future Awaits!

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Lesson Plan

STEM Careers: Your Future Awaits!

Students will be able to identify at least three different STEM careers and explain how STEM skills are used in those careers.

This lesson broadens students' perspectives on careers, encourages critical thinking, and introduces them to fields vital for innovation and problem-solving.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and visual exploration.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, STEM Careers Slide Deck, and Markers or Pens

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the STEM Careers Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content and talking points.
    - Ensure the projector or whiteboard is set up and ready to display the slides.
    - Prepare markers or pens for writing on the board, if needed.
    - No other materials need to be printed or prepared beyond reviewing what is generated here.

Step 1

Introduction: What is STEM?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students what they think STEM means. Use Slide 1 and Slide 2.
    - Explain that STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Discuss each component briefly, using simple examples relevant to 3rd graders.
    - Ask students if they know any jobs that use science, technology, engineering, or math.

Step 2

Exploring STEM Careers

15 minutes

  • Use Slide 3 to introduce the concept of 'STEM Heroes'.
    - Go through various STEM careers using Slide 4, Slide 5, Slide 6, and Slide 7. For each career:
    - Briefly describe what they do.
    - Ask students what skills they think are important for that job.
    - Discuss real-world examples of their work (e.g., scientists discovering new medicines, engineers building bridges).
    - Encourage students to share if they know anyone with these jobs or if they find any particularly interesting.

Step 3

STEM in Our Lives

5 minutes

  • Transition to Slide 8.
    - Ask students to think about how STEM impacts their daily lives (e.g., cell phones, cars, buildings, video games).
    - Lead a short discussion, highlighting how many things they interact with daily are products of STEM careers.

Step 4

Dream Big: Your STEM Future

5 minutes

  • Use Slide 9 and Slide 10 to conclude.
    - Ask students to share one STEM career they found interesting and why.
    - Emphasize that anyone can be a STEM hero and encourage them to keep exploring and learning.
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Slide Deck

STEM Careers: Your Future Awaits!

Discover how science, technology, engineering, and math shape our world and your future!

Greet students and introduce the topic of exploring future jobs. Ask them to think about what they want to be when they grow up.

What is STEM?

What does this word make you think of?

Ask students: "What do you think STEM means? Have you heard this word before?" Encourage them to share their initial ideas.

Meet Your STEM Heroes!

People who use Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to make the world a better place!

Explain that STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Briefly define each, e.g., Science is about discovering, Technology is about creating tools, Engineering is about designing and building, Math is about numbers and solving problems. Ask, "Do you know anyone who works in a job related to science, technology, engineering, or math?"

Scientists: Discovering Our World

Scientists study how things work and make new discoveries!

  • Example: A marine biologist studies ocean life.
  • Skills: Curiosity, observation, asking questions.

Introduce the role of a Scientist. Ask: "What does a scientist do? Where do they work?" Explain that scientists explore the world around us, conduct experiments, and discover new things. Examples: marine biologist, chemist, astronomer.

Technologists: Creating Smart Tools

Technologists build and use amazing tools and systems.

  • Example: A software developer creates computer games.
  • Skills: Problem-solving, creativity, understanding how things work.

Introduce the role of a Technologist. Ask: "What kind of technology do you use every day?" Explain that technologists create and use tools to solve problems, like designing apps, fixing computers, or creating robots. Examples: software developer, IT specialist, game designer.

Engineers: Building Our Future

Engineers design and build incredible things!

  • Example: A civil engineer designs safe bridges.
  • Skills: Design, planning, working with tools.

Introduce the role of an Engineer. Ask: "What has an engineer built that you use?" Explain that engineers design and build things like bridges, buildings, cars, and even rollercoasters. Examples: civil engineer, mechanical engineer, aerospace engineer.

Mathematicians: Solving Puzzles with Numbers

Mathematicians use numbers and logic to solve big problems.

  • Example: A statistician uses numbers to understand information.
  • Skills: Logic, counting, patterns, problem-solving.

Introduce the role of a Mathematician. Ask: "When do you use math?" Explain that mathematicians use numbers and patterns to solve complex problems and help us understand the world better. Examples: statistician, financial analyst, cryptographer. Emphasize that math is used in all STEM careers.

STEM is All Around Us!

From the food we eat to the phones we use, STEM heroes make our world work!

Ask students to think about how STEM careers affect their daily lives. Prompt with examples: "Who designed your shoes? Who made your favorite video game? Who keeps the lights on?"

Your STEM Future: Dream Big!

What kind of STEM hero will you be?

  • You can be a scientist who discovers amazing things!
  • You can be a technologist who invents cool new gadgets!
  • You can be an engineer who builds incredible structures!
  • You can be a mathematician who solves big mysteries!

Encourage students to consider how their interests now could lead to a STEM career. Reinforce that anyone can be a part of STEM. Ask: "What kind of STEM hero do you want to be?"

Questions & Answers

Any questions about STEM careers or how you can become a STEM hero?

Open the floor for any remaining questions. Thank students for their participation.

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