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    Calling All Superheroes! Exploring STEM Careers

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    At a Glance:

    Grades:4, 5
    Subject:STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
    Topic:STEM Careers
    Lesson Length:30 - 40 mins

    Standards / Framework:

    What will students learn in this activity?

    Students will create a STEM superhero based on one of the components of STEM. Students will craft a scenario for their superhero based on their traits and area of expertise.

    What should students know before this activity?

    Experience with STEM challenges and lessons is beneficial, but not necessary.

    How can teachers introduce this lesson?

    • What do the letters of STEM stand for?
    • Have students use Post-It notes to jot them all down. When they’re finished, have them turn to a partner and compare their notes.

    What will students do?

    • Discuss the subject areas that comprise STEM.

      • How is science important in our everyday lives?

      • How does technology make our lives easier?

      • What do engineers do?

      • How do you use math in your everyday life?

      • How can math be used when you are doing something creative?

    • Brainstorm a list problems involving each of the four STEM disciplines.

      • Help students think about how a superhero might be helpful in these situations.

      • Share the sample comic. Talk about which STEM subject the hero is focused on and how they solved the problem.

    • Have students will create a STEM superhero comic. Students should include:

      • Name (something creative, interesting, and related to their STEM subject).

      • Character traits based on their STEM subject.

      • The problem the superhero is facing.

      • How the problem was solved.

    How can teachers wrap up the lesson?

    • Have students will share their superhero comic with a partner.

    How can teachers differentiate this activity?

    • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
    • Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.

    • Provide sentence stems when answering questions, e.g., "Science is important because ___."

    • Allow students to work with a peer model.

    • Provide STEM Superhero examples from which to choose.

    Related Resources:

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    Related Ideas

    STEM Careers

    In this lesson students will explore a STEM career that interests them.