Week 5 Check In

The Experiment Digital

29 Apr 202403:18

Summary

TLDRThis week's module delves into STEM's role in addressing community issues through problem-based design. Participants are encouraged to observe their own communities for STEM-related challenges, such as preventing soil erosion or improving accessibility for the disabled. The script prompts viewers to consider what they can change and how to make a difference, even before acquiring specific skills. It also guides them to reflect on the impact of these issues and to engage in discussions on Slack, identifying key problems and potential solutions to create an action plan.

Takeaways

📚 We are in week five and module three of the program, which consists of three modules with two weeks each.
🔬 The focus continues on STEM careers and the representation of STEM in our communities.
👀 Encouragement to observe one's own community for STEM-related issues and projects that address real-world problems.
💡 The concept of problem-based design is introduced, emphasizing the impact and solutions that projects can provide.
🤔 The importance of asking critical questions to identify and solve problems within the community is highlighted.
🌳 Examples of STEM problems include preventing soil erosion, growing food during floods, and improving access to clean water.
🦽 Mention of improving lives for those with disabilities and addressing environmental issues like oil spills.
🏗️ Projects can range from building earthquake-resistant structures to constructing solar ovens for cooking.
🍏 The script mentions the example of stopping apple oxidation to prevent browning, illustrating the diversity of STEM applications.
🤝 The call to action for participants to consider what they see in their community, what could be changed, and how they can make a difference.
📽️ Watching videos is suggested to see STEM community projects in action and to inspire participants to think about solving local STEM problems.
🗣️ Discussion on Slack is encouraged after watching the videos, to share thoughts on STEM-related issues in one's own community.
📝 Participants are asked to list at least three STEM-related problems or needs in their community and discuss their impact and importance.
🔍 The script prompts reflection on which single problem one feels most passionate about solving.
🛠️ The next activity involves creating an action plan for possible solutions to the identified community problems.
📖 Instructions to read and comment on others' posts on Slack, fostering a community of shared learning and problem-solving.

Q & A

What is the focus of week five and module three in the program?
-The focus is on continuing the discussion about STEM careers and examining how STEM is integrated into our communities.
What is meant by 'problem-based design' in the context of STEM projects?
-Problem-based design refers to the approach where projects are designed to address real-world problems, emphasizing the impact and solutions they can provide.
What are some examples of real-world problems that STEM projects might tackle?
-Examples include preventing soil erosion, growing food during a flood, solving a city's design needs like access to clean water, improving the lives of those with disabilities, cleaning up oil spills, building earthquake-resistant structures, constructing solar ovens, and stopping apple oxidation.
What critical questions should one ask when identifying STEM-related problems in their community?
-One should ask what they see, what could be changed, how they can make a difference, and if there are specific skills needed or if they can start before learning those skills.
How can observing one's own community help in identifying STEM-related issues?
-By observing, one can identify local issues that require technological, engineering, or scientific solutions, which can lead to effective community projects.
What are the discussion questions participants are asked to answer after watching the videos?
-Participants are asked about the type of community they live in, if they see STEM-related problems or needs, the impact of these problems, their importance, and which single problem they feel passionate about.
What is the purpose of discussing STEM-related issues in one's own community on Slack?
-The purpose is to facilitate a collaborative discussion where participants can share their observations, ideas, and potential solutions for STEM-related problems in their communities.
What is the next activity after discussing the STEM-related issues in the community?
-The next activity involves working on possible solutions to these problems by starting to create an action plan.
How should participants engage with others' posts on Slack after posting their answers?
-Participants should read others' answers and comment on at least two other posts where they either have a common problem in their community or find any other problem interesting.
What is the overall goal of the activities and discussions in this module?
-The goal is to encourage participants to identify STEM-related problems in their communities, discuss potential solutions, and develop action plans to make a difference.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Exploring STEM Careers and Community Impact

This paragraph introduces the focus of week five and module three, emphasizing the exploration of STEM careers and their presence in local communities. It encourages participants to identify STEM-related issues in their own communities and to consider the real-world problems that STEM projects can address. The paragraph outlines the concept of problem-based design and the importance of critical questioning to find solutions to identified issues. Examples of potential STEM projects are provided, such as preventing soil erosion, growing food during floods, and improving accessibility for people with disabilities. The paragraph concludes with a prompt for participants to reflect on their own communities, to identify specific problems, and to consider their potential to make a difference, even before acquiring specific skills.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡STEM

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is an interdisciplinary approach to education that combines these four areas to provide students with a holistic understanding of the world. In the video, STEM is the central theme, with a focus on how it is applied in real-world scenarios and community projects, such as preventing soil erosion and building earthquake-resistant structures.

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people living in the same geographical area or sharing common interests, values, or goals. The video encourages viewers to look at their own communities and identify STEM-related issues that need to be addressed. Examples from the script include improving access to clean water and enhancing the lives of those with disabilities.

💡Problem-based Design

Problem-based design is an educational approach that involves students in identifying and solving real-world problems through critical thinking and creativity. In the context of the video, this concept is used to frame how STEM projects are developed to tackle community issues, such as preventing soil erosion or addressing food scarcity during a flood.

💡Critical Questions

Critical questions are inquiries that provoke deep thought and analysis, leading to a better understanding of a problem or situation. The video script emphasizes the importance of asking critical questions to identify solutions to STEM-related community problems, such as 'What do you see?' and 'What could be changed?'

💡Solutions

Solutions refer to the answers or methods for addressing a problem or challenge. The video script discusses the need for finding solutions to various community issues through STEM projects, such as constructing solar ovens for safe cooking or developing strategies to stop apple oxidation.

💡Action Plan

An action plan is a detailed strategy outlining the steps to be taken to achieve a specific goal or address a particular issue. In the video, an action plan is mentioned as the next step after identifying STEM-related problems in one's community, indicating a proactive approach to problem-solving.

💡Slack

Slack is a communication platform used by teams and organizations for collaboration and discussion. In the script, Slack is mentioned as a platform where participants are encouraged to discuss their feelings about STEM-related issues in their communities after watching the videos.

💡Discussion Questions

Discussion questions are prompts designed to stimulate conversation and reflection on a particular topic. The video script includes a set of discussion questions to guide viewers in thinking about their own communities and the STEM-related problems they observe, such as identifying three problems and their impacts.

💡Urban

Urban refers to the characteristics of a city or densely populated area, often associated with advanced infrastructure and various community needs. The video script asks viewers to consider the type of community they live in, with urban being one of the options, and to identify STEM-related problems specific to that environment.

💡Rural

Rural typically describes areas that are less populated and more spread out than urban areas, often characterized by agricultural land and natural landscapes. The script prompts viewers to reflect on whether they live in a rural area and to consider the unique STEM-related challenges that such communities might face.

💡Passionate

Being passionate about something means having a strong emotional connection or enthusiasm for a particular subject or cause. In the context of the video, viewers are encouraged to identify a single STEM-related problem that they feel passionate about, indicating a personal investment in finding a solution.

Highlights

Introduction to week five and module three of the program, emphasizing the continuation of the focus on STEM careers and their representation in communities.

Encouragement to observe one's own community for STEM-related issues and real-world problem-solving projects.

The concept of problem-based design is introduced, highlighting the importance of understanding the impact of a project.

The necessity of critical questioning to find solutions to observed problems is emphasized.

Examples of STEM projects that address real-world issues such as soil erosion, food growth during floods, and city design needs.

The importance of improving lives, particularly for those with disabilities, through STEM solutions.

Mention of environmental concerns like oil spill cleanup and building earthquake-resistant structures.

Innovations in cooking, such as constructing solar ovens for safe food preparation.

The practical application of science to everyday problems, like preventing apple oxidation.

A call to action for participants to reflect on their community's issues and consider what changes can be made.

Prompting participants to consider their own skills and how they can contribute to solving STEM-related problems.

The suggestion to watch videos showcasing STEM community projects to gain inspiration.

Discussion on Slack about participants' feelings regarding STEM issues in their communities.

A series of discussion questions aimed at identifying and understanding STEM-related problems in one's community.

The importance of narrowing down to one passionate problem and considering its impact and urgency.

An upcoming activity focused on creating an action plan for potential solutions to identified problems.

Encouragement for participants to engage with peers by reading and commenting on each other's posts on Slack.

A conclusion that wishes participants a productive and insightful week ahead.