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West Virginia University STEAM TAC STEAM TAC

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 (one to two class periods).
  2. An in-person, hands-on STEAM lesson (one to two class periods).
  3. A post-visit follow-up guide with supplemental lesson plans and networking opportunities for participating STEAM TAC classroom teachers. Opportunities to use technology tools left behind to supplement current teaching practices.

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 45-90 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. A post-visit follow-up guide with supplemental lesson plans and networking opportunities for participating STEAM TAC classroom teachers. 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 collaborative groups assigned by the teacher during the pre-visit.

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.

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 a teacher do during the pre-visit?

During the pre-visit, the classroom teacher facilitates the STEAM TAC pre-visit PowerPoint presentation with students. This includes delivering the short introduction, presenting the real-world challenge, sharing high-interest examples, reviewing key concepts or standards-based content, and helping students make connections to relevant career clusters. The teacher also prepares students for the upcoming immersion by organizing collaborative groups and setting expectations for the hands-on experience.

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

While the STEAM TAC specialist leads the lesson, participating teachers are expected to work alongside the specialist, assisting with students' 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 lead the lesson, participating teachers are expected to work alongside the specialists, assisting with students' 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 teachers need to have ready during the immersion?

STEAM TAC Specialists provide enough kits for 12 student groups and encourage teachers to form teams of two, as much as possible. While specialists bring all required materials for the lesson, it is helpful if the participating teacher has basic classroom supplies available, such as pencils and paper, for students who need them for notes or planning.

After the Visit

The participating teacher receives a sample kit, along with lesson materials and instructional resources, to support continued learning. These resources include extension activities that connect the immersion to multiple subject areas—such as science, social studies, mathematics, ELA, and the arts—to support ongoing classroom integration. Teachers will also have the opportunity to network with other teachers who have engaged in STEAM TAC classroom visits.

What materials are provided during the high school visit? What materials do the participating teachers 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 the technology tools used during the immersion, allowing them to continue learning with those materials. These resources include extension activities that connect the immersion to multiple subject areas—such as science, social studies, mathematics, ELA, and the arts—to support ongoing classroom integration. Teachers will also have the opportunity to network with other teachers who have engaged in STEAM TAC classroom visits.