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Classroom Immersion FAQs

Who are the STEAM TAC specialists?

STEAM TAC specialists are master teachers with decades of experience in leading hands-on STEAM experiences. Their unique backgrounds, teaching styles and areas of expertise dovetail to bring creative, engaging STEAM content into classroom teaching.

Meet the Team

How long is a STEAM TAC middle school immersion?

Classroom immersions are designed to be an experience that fully engages the participating classroom teacher and students in STEAM learning, therefore the STEAM TAC immersion offers a three-part experience which includes:

  1. A pre-visit presentation (15-30 minutes).
  2. An in-person, hands-on STEAM lesson (one class period).
  3. A post-visit follow-up with supplemental lesson plans and networking opportunities for participating STEAM TAC classroom teachers. 
Note: All immersions are also tailored to grade level and personalized for the school’s local community.

How long is a STEAM TAC high school immersion?

Classroom immersions are designed to be an experience that fully engages the participating classroom teacher and students in STEAM learning, therefore the STEAM TAC immersion offers a three-part experience which includes: 

  1. A pre-visit presentation (approximately 45 minutes).
  2. An in-person, hands-on STEAM lesson (a 90-minute lesson, given over two consecutive school days or one school day for block periods).
  3. Opportunities to use technology tools left behind to supplement current teaching practices and networking opportunities for participating STEAM TAC classroom teachers.  

What does a sample middle school classroom immersion itinerary look like?

Part I: Pre-Visit
  • The classroom teacher facilitates a pre-visit presentation with students, provided by STEAM TAC, to:
    • Pique interest with a short introduction.
    • Introduce the real-world challenge and examine high-interest examples.
    • Briefly discuss relevant concepts.
    • Connect to career clusters.
Part II: In-person immersion
  • A STEAM specialist joins the classroom teacher and students for an in-person immersion, providing all necessary materials for the hands-on lesson, facilitating the hands-on experience alongside the classroom teacher and detailing safety precautions.
  • The classroom teacher works alongside the specialist to learn the immersion and is encouraged to take leadership of the lesson as the day progresses.
  • The students work in groups, using design thinking to build their engineering design project. They then test and adjust the device they built.
Part III: Post Visit Follow-Up, Lesson Plans and Networking 
  • In the days following the immersion experience, the classroom teacher: 
    • Completes a post visit survey.
    • Leads group discussion to recap success, difficulties and unexpected events. 
    • Engages in the online STEAM TAC PLC to access extension plans and to share experiences.

What does a sample high school classroom immersion look like?

Part I: Pre-Visit
  • The classroom teacher facilitates a pre-visit presentation with students, provided by STEAM TAC, to: 
    • Deliver standards-based content to give context for the in-person immersion lesson. 
    • Introduce the real-world challenge and discuss how students will solve this challenge during the in-person lesson. 
    • Connect to career clusters. 
Part II: In-Person Immersion
  • STEAM specialists join the classroom teacher and students for an in-person immersion, providing all necessary materials for the hands-on lesson, facilitating the hands-on experience alongside the classroom teacher. 
  • The classroom teacher works alongside the specialists to learn the immersion and is encouraged to take leadership of the lesson as the day progresses. 
  • The students work collaboratively, using technology and design thinking to engineer and test projects through iteration.  
Part III: Post Visit Follow-Up, Suggestions for Further Technology Use, and Networking  
  • In the days following the immersion experience, the classroom teacher:  
    • Completes a post visit survey. 
    • Leads group discussion to recap success, difficulties and unexpected events.  
    • Utilizes technology tools left behind to supplement current classroom instruction. 
    • Engages in the online STEAM TAC PLC to access resources and to share experiences. 

What does the participating middle school teacher need to do during the visit?

While the STEAM TAC specialist is leading the lesson, participating teachers are expected to work alongside the specialist assisting with student needs during each class period. The goal of the immersion is to have the educator just as engaged and excited as their students.

What does the participating high school teacher need to do during the visit?

While the STEAM TAC specialists are leading the lesson, participating teachers are expected to work alongside the specialists assisting with student needs during each class period. The goal of the immersion is to have the educator just as engaged and excited as their students. 

What materials are provided during the middle school visit? What materials do the participating teacher need to have ready during the immersion?

During the visit: STEAM TAC Specialists provide each class with enough material kits for students to build, design, and test their projects. While the specialist will bring any needed specialty tools, it is always appreciated if the participating teacher can have common school items handy during the visit (scissors, rulers, paper, pencils, markers).

After the visit: The completed projects and extra kit materials are left with the participating teacher to allow for continued learning and further exploration. The participating teacher is also provided lesson materials and resources to use in future instruction with the kits/builds. The lesson materials include extensions that incorporate a variety of subject areas including, science, social studies, mathematics, ELA, CTE, and the arts, among others.

What materials are provided during the high school visit? What materials do the participating teacher need to have ready during the immersion?

During the visit: STEAM TAC specialists provide all the necessary materials and technology for students to build, design, and test their projects.  

After the visit: Teachers are left with technology tools used during the immersion, giving them the opportunity to continue learning with the materials. Teachers will also have the opportunity to network with other teachers who have engaged in STEAM TAC classroom visits.