Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski provides photographs of a professional staff development training "Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM. Check out her website at http://www.dianawehrellgrabowski.com

1. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring Science, Technology, and Engineering (STEM) Concepts A teacher training workshop designed and conducted by Diana Wehrell-Grabowski, Ph.D. http://www.drdianateachertraining.com

2. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts This was the first investigation of a 3 day training. Teachers marked off a section of a leaf and observed it using eye loupes of varying magnifications. Developing observational skills is a fundamental tool in STEM education practices .

3. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers then made observations of the leaf section via a microscope. All observations and drawing were recorded in their journals.

4. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers explored the characteristics of super absorbing polymers. Here they are measuring and obtaining the mass of growing cubes and spheres.

5. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers conducted investigations with super absorbing polymers to observe how these super absorbing polymers absorb liquids.

6. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers conducted investigations with super absorbing polymers including Growing Spheres and Cubes.

7. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers conducted investigations with Grow Creatures. Grow creatures are made up of super absorbing polymers.

8. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers collected and recorded data relative to the changes made in the Grow Creatures throughout the 3 days of training.

9. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers collected recorded and graphed data relative to the changes made in the Grow Creatures throughout the 3 days of training.

10. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers explored shapes and mathematical patterns in nature and in man-made objects. Here teachers are observing the Fibonacci Sequence.

11. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers analyzed examples of biomimicry. Biomimicry is the science of examining nature its models, systems, and processes and emulating them in order to solve human problems.

12. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers conducted investigations with nano-technology materials.

13. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers studied parachute designs then designed, constructed, and tested their own parachute designs.

14. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers designed, constructed, and tested parachutes. Re-designing parachutes as needed.

15. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers built structures with various types of wood blocks. Levels were used during construction. Teachers also tested structures for stability.

16. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers built structures with various types of wood blocks. Levels were used during construction. Teachers also tested structures for stability.

17. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers studied geodesic dome structures. Then built geodesic domes out of a variety of materials. Domes can be tested for weight load and durability under various natural conditions.

18. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers were given one index card. They were told they had to form the card (bridge) so that it could hold the maximum weight load.

19. Developing Critical Thinking Skills via Exploring STEM Concepts Teachers were introduced to literature that makes connections to STEM concepts. Here a teacher is reading from the book Iggy Peck The Architect. Visit http://www.drdianateachertraining.com for more info.