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===The talented and gifted program at Heritage actively engages students in critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and collaboration in a technology driven environment. With that in mind, the students and I want to use this Wiki to share both work and resources with you. We want to connect with parents, educators, and anyone else that shares the belief that [|integrated STEM education] can be the catalyst that transforms teaching and the way students learn. We hope you find this site useful! ===

HERITAGE TAG DELIVERS STEM EDUCATION ALL YEAR LONG !

originally created by the CLC for its participating schools. STEM Week is a series of STEM related activities/competitions between students of the same grade level. It serves as an introduction to other STEM activities that will follow during the school year. I like to conduct it on each grade level's first class meeting of each semester. That way, it serves as great "icebreaker" for new and returning students, and it also becomes their first "fun" experience in TAG. Students complete a grade level activity during their first class meeting and the student(s) with the top score is designated the grade level winner. An award is given to each winner. I encourage you to collect photographic evidence of the activities so you can create a STEM Week video which can be shown on the morning news or shared in whatever way you see fit. || media type="custom" key="26359528" ||
 * ===STEM WEEK 2013 ===
 * Description:** STEM Week is a week-long version of STEM Day which was

to conducting inquiry-based investigations that encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork. STEM specific content is the focus of "Connect Time." During this instructional approach, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students are encouraged to become self-directed learners while exploring and learning STEM related concepts and developing their STEM related skills. Students complete an interest inventory on the [|Renzulli Learning] website that identifies STEM projects of interest to them. Approval to start an investigation is given after a team demonstrates their understanding of the needs of the project, problem, or topic they want to learn about. They also have to gather information, conduct research, and identify the resources they will need to get started. || media type="custom" key="26432022" ||
 * ===CONNECT TIME! 2013-14 ===
 * Description:** “Connect Time” is one hour of our TAG day dedicated


 * ===THINK, CREATE, BUILD! ===

ENGINEERING DESIGN CHALLENGE 2014
creative problem solving process engineers use to solve engineering problems. It also provides students with a very organized approach for solving STEM challenges. The idea for Think, Create, Build! came from an earlier TAG curriculum resource, "Mind Your Own Business," and several other internet resources. This mini-unit is intended to familiarize students with the engineering design process and the role prototypes play in the production of products. Students learn about simple machines, the engineering design process, and the work engineers perform when determining how to build something. They develop and practice creative problem solving and critical thinkiing in each lesson. The challenge concludes with the production of a prototype and its presentation before an authentic audience in a design competition. || media type="custom" key="26353270" ||
 * Description:** The [|engineering design process]is a special kind of

activity of 4th and 5th grade students that provides them with an engaging, hands-on introduction to technology and essential STEM related concepts. The students construct machines and robot models and program the control software that puts them into motion. Team participation also prepares students for entry into the annual Fulton County Schools technology fair competition. The robotics resources used by Heritage students were funded by a grant from Chevron Corporation through [|DonorsChoose.org]
 * ===ROBOTIC ASSEMBLY AND PROGRAMMING TEAM 2013-14 ===
 * Description:** Assembling machines and robot models is a favorite

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