Through my grant I will be purchasing supplies for a STEM workstation for my kindergarten classroom in an effort to improve my students’ critical thinking and problem solving abilities!

Will my students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills improve with consistent opportunities to explore STEM activities in the classroom?

Most of my students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills are lacking in comparison to their academic achievements each year. The children in my classes sometimes become discouraged when asked to persevere in solving a problem or overcoming an obstacle on their own. They are quick to ask for help and sometimes struggle to continue without assistance.

Workstations are an integral part of our classroom and I plan to use them to bring about improvements in my students. I hope to get the materials needed to implement a weekly STEM station. This station will allow students to participate in activities designed to promote the problem solving and critical thinking skills I hope to improve. I will use a wide variety of supplies at the station, rotating them throughout the year to maintain student interest and engagement while encouraging them to persist in solving problems and think critically about the possible solutions.

I will initially observe and assess my students’ abilities to solve problems and think critically when presented with a STEM activity. I will observe and assess my students throughout the year to determine if a change has occurred. My students’ abilities to solve problems that were previously difficult for them will prove the success of my innovation in the classroom. I expect consistent practice in STEM activities to promote and improve these skills.