Beyond the Classroom Aquarium: A Curricular Sequence of 14 Project Based, Stem Oriented Aquatic Ecosystem Themed Learning Activities Your Students Will Love

Beyond the Classroom Aquarium (#BtheCA) guides educators & students through a challenging & innovative curricular sequence of project based, STEM-oriented, aquatic ecosystems themed learning activities. Some consider it an inspirational anthology of classic aquatic Ecosys-STEM themed learning activities. In #BtheCA, Technology, Engineering & Math do not take a “back seat.” Although aquatic ecosystems provide a strong/engaging theme – opportunities to apply & assess student proficiencies in engineering, design, technology, math, communication, art, & performance of real-world problem analysis & resolution are abundant. Educators & students who use it are also provided ongoing guidance & encouragement as they collaborate on the sequence of innovative real-world aquatic ecosystems themed design thinking/maker projects. Each project description in #BtheCA is designed for use as a guide by which educators may modify any given project & corresponding assessment strategy to best meet the needs of his/her own students. Some educators will select to implement a limited number of #BtheCA projects each year. With careful advanced planning, others will successfully implement the entire sequence of projects with their classes during a school year. Beyond the Classroom Aquarium projects allow educators to:*Introduce their students to computer automation and microcontroller technologies & equipment*Involve students in the processes of system design and formative design critique processes.*Expose students to a multiplicity of skilled trades & tools/equipment (carpentry, electronics, plumbing, micro-controllers, and beyond)*Refer to an extensive bibliography of resources containing a veritable “bucket list” of projects – replete with opportunities – for hundreds of additional collaborative aquatic ecosystem themed learning activities*Align timely and appropriate field trips*Establish and maintain an individualized math lab*Coordinate student work in the math lab with aquatic ecosystem project assessments*Include many resources and activities to their own professional development goals and professional development network*Educational leaders and administrators may wish to adopt a #BtheCA theme for their own class, school or district*Participate in a week-long professional development workshop to address such interests has been designed by the author.*Utilize the flexibility and “scale-ability” of Beyond the Classroom projects as an ideal curricular format for non-traditional and non-formal learning environments for individuals involved in after school programs, clubs, home schooling programs, or while participating in a program at a residential camp.*Encourage students to remain engaged in their aquatic ecosystems themed learning projects throughout the year* Design, execute and present an aquatic ecosystem themed science project; an NGSS project matrix referred to on page 2 is on page 338.* Engage students with work that involves use of many standard science lab tools and technologies – including data collection, analysis and reporting equipment* Use “End of Project” assessment activities and ideas provided at the end of each project (formative & summative).Beyond the Classroom Aquarium is designed to make a difference in every student’s life (& teacher’s too). It is intended to be used and to deliver fun – every day. This curricular sequence of project based, STEM-oriented, aquatic ecosystems themed learning activities has taken the author twenty years to compile, synthesize and write.Educators & kids can do this! 🙂