Enriching Out-of-School Programs with STE(A)M
Ahoy, me Hearties! Are you on the lookout for hands-on activities that accelerate learning? Interactive Science, Technology, Engineering, (Arts) and Math instruction is what you need to bring excitement and fun into any learning environment!
Designed to create a camp-like atmosphere, PCS Edventures’ Enrichment Programs tie adventure and imagination together with meaningful engineering design activities.
Let’s dive deep and explore three remarkable products:
These seaworthy programs are easy to implement within any after-school, camp, club or classroom setting. It’s all hands on deck as learners collaborate to solve problems and explore their environment throughout each program’s twelve, 1-hour immersive experiences. Keep reading for details and videos to help start your voyage! For customized solutions and training options, click the button below.
Contact a STEM Program Specialist
Here’s how you can make waves by enriching your out-of-school programs with STE(A)M.
Instructor Guides are Easy to Follow
Thanks to our detailed instructor guides, everyone can easily navigate PCS Edventures’ enrichment programs. A clear outline precedes each lesson, detailing:
- STEM Connections and Aligned Standards
- Objectives
- Key Terms and Content Knowledge
- Lesson Duration and Schedule Breakdown
- Materials
- Overview
These features take the guesswork out of prep work. If you’re unfamiliar with the content, we have you covered! Daily lessons include vocabulary and background knowledge consistent with relevant Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts and International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Brief but detailed, you will have everything you need to feel confident teaching any subject matter.
Our guides also foster well-organized activities. Hands-on experiences are an important element of STE(A)M, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the materials that breathe life into the content. We recommend having them ready to go and list them clearly at the start of every lesson.
What’s more, a complete schedule breaks down each part of the hour-long lessons into smaller durations. This provides a realistic guide for planning a time management strategy that works for you.
Lastly, lesson overviews detail everything from big picture connections to tips for an exceptional lesson. PCS Edventures provides all of the necessary tools you’ll need to ensure smooth sailing.
Lessons are Scripted and Immersive
Ready to start teaching, but not sure what to say? Scripted lessons will ensure your success! Colored text jumps off the instructor guide pages, making it easy to follow along as you lead learners through inquiry-based activities. Talk directly to tribes of castaways stranded on an island in Survivor. Invite campers to traverse the ocean along with you in Oceanic Exploration. Whether you choose to read the text directly or adapt it to fit your teaching style, each lesson connects with learners and ignites their passions for STE(A)M.
Some lessons, such as those found in Pirate Camp, feature second-person narration that pull learners into the day’s adventure. These imaginative tales help you set the stage for an immersive STE(A)M activity, adding even more purpose and excitement to the upcoming challenge.
Enrichment Programs Connect Meaningful Learning with Adventure
Sparking learners’ unknown passions is what out-of-school programs are all about! They’ll discover a tremendous amount about the content, themselves and their fellow campers. Each Enrichment Program offers grade-level appropriate activities that promote investigation, exploration and imagination.
Let’s take a sneak peek at how each one keeps learners engaged!
Pirate Camp (Grades 1-3)
Lower elementary learners transform into pirates from the moment their adventure begins. Pirate Camp includes games that welcome movement and laughter. Learners collaborate to write creative “sea shanties” (songs), design treasure maps and solve engaging engineering challenges. Whether building with bricks, tying knots or solving a puzzle, they’ll all be shouting, “It’s the pirate's life for me!”
Oceanic Exploration (Grades 4-6)
The topics covered throughout Oceanic Exploration are as vast as the oceans themselves. Explore everything from the water cycle to sea life adaptations with immersive, hands-on activities. Learners will love building clay models of underwater volcanoes and will gain perspective simulating overfishing and extinction’s impact on the environment. With only 5% of the earth’s oceans having been explored to date, let’s inspire a new generation to fall in love with the wonder of oceanography.
Survivor (Grades 6-8)
Learn to survive the elements and navigate an unknown land in this thrilling STE(A)M experience! Castaways work together with their tribe to solve engineering challenges and learn vital information about the environment. Bring the content to life with exciting extensions that highlight real-life survivors. With Survivor, learners get all the adventure of survival without the danger.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned the ropes, it’s time to climb aboard and set sail with PCS Edventures! It’s important to remember that an out-of-school program is an opportunity for joy. STE(A)M has the unique ability to teach valuable lessons all while capturing learners’ interests and imagination.
What lessons are you most excited to try with learners?
Be sure to check out our full list of curriculum topics and leave a comment below.
Author: Jessica Ventre
An experienced elementary educator and science instructional coach, Jessica’s passion for STEM instruction and student-led learning is always at the forefront of her lessons and professional development workshops.
