ST1.7 STEM educators collaborate as an interdisciplinary team to plan, implement, and improve integrated STEM learning experiences.

The STEM Squad is blessed with a common planning period since its inception in 2011. This year the common planning is during 6th period. As a team, we tend to meet on Wednesdays during our block 6th period planning for 90 minutes. We use this meeting for professional development, to discuss student progress throughout the year, plan events, outreach, camps,  application season agendas, and cross curricular units. 

In addition, at Forsyth Central High School,  Design Teams work in content or cross content teams utilize backwards design to create units of study. In the STEM Academy the Design Team is made up of the entire STEM squad. However, teachers will often meet in content areas and smaller pairings to design interdisciplinary units in smaller content or interdisciplinary teams on the days we don't meet as an entire squad.

For example, Research 1 teachers will plan together, calling in the Physics teacher to get a clear understanding of the necessary skills to be developed for engineering. The Biology teachers will consult with math or chemistry to develop a unit. In general, our school-wide culture is one of true authentic collaboration. 

Common points of discussion are the individual students' mastery needs, development of vertical alignment to address skill deficit, curriculum refinement, and integration opportunities.