This month, science teachers from schools across the region gathered at a recent Consortium workshop with a specific challenge in mind: “How might we translate the new PA STEELS standards into action in our classrooms?”
The solution that teachers found: Design Thinking and Human-Centered Design (HCD).
Science standards in Pennsylvania will be making a seismic shift next year, when the new Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (STEELS) Standards are to be fully implemented. If you’ve had a chance to explore the new standards, you might have noticed just how different the approach will be to teaching science content, including:
- More cross-curricular connections.
- A focus on project-based learning.
- Requirements for students to be engaged learners–modeling, designing, and revising their observations and ideas.
- And are packed with design thinking and HCD concepts.
Through active, collaborative practice, the science teachers who attended the workshop learned the mechanics of using design tools to bring structure to the often complex, nuanced STEELS standards.
They deployed a design tool, called Rose, Thorn, Bud, to evaluate the societal and educational impacts of artificial intelligence. They applied nature observations as inspiration to design solutions for human-centered problems. They even progressed through a variety of tools, from Concept Mapping and Creative Matrices to Concept Posters and the Thinking Hats to develop and refine novel ideas that could protect endangered species in Pennsylvania.
The connections between STEELS and HCD were clear. As one teacher shared afterward, “This workshop helped me understand different ways to begin implementing the new STEELS standards…I feel like I could implement these ideas tomorrow!”
When it comes to the new standards, design thinking and HCD are only part of the toolbox; so much of the incoming content and learning will require students to think not only critically, but also creatively. And so we encourage any science educators to consider design thinking as a way to bring structure to these new and exciting learning opportunities for students.
For any teachers or school leaders interested in STEELS/HCD training for your district, please email info@tcfpe.org for more information.
