STEM & Sailing
Does this program have value to me? Can I implement some of the curriculum? Where/How can I implement these modules? Will I try it? How can I work with a US Sailing member organization?
The initiative began to address the perceived lack of qualified candidates for high tech jobs. It also addresses concern that the subjects are often taught in isolation, instead of as an integrated curriculum. 3
Over the next 10 years STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17 percent, compared to 9.8 percent growth for other occupations. In comparison to their non STEM counterparts, STEM workers earn 26 percent more on average and are less likely to experience joblessness. STEM: Good Jobs Now and for the Future, by Commerce s Economics and Statistics Administration, 4
Why STEM and Sailing? Above the Boat In the Boat Below the Boat Atmosphere, Wind, Weather Patterns and Systems, Air Flow, Cloud Structures, Celestial Navigation, Sail Design, speed calculations, GPS Navigation, Radio Communications, Apparent Wind vs True Wind, Fluid dynamics Simple Machines, Buoyancy, Sail Trim, Boat Design, Hull Shape, Materials, Navigation Chart Reading, Communication, Sailing Angles, Tide, Current, Water Quality Testing, Life Cycles, Watersheds, Underwater topography, Invasive Species, Marine Debris, Hydrodynamics, Underwater Exploration, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics, Engineering, Technology, Geometry, Mathematics Physical Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Trigonometry, Technology Chemistry, Life Science, Geology, Ocean Science, Environmental Science, Engineering, Technology Close your eyes and think of a few ways STEM and sailing are connected. Are we teaching more than just sailing? Last: Sailing programs nationwide are rich environments for STEM learning. Every time a student steps into a boat, pulls the tiller, or trims a sail they are experiencing powerful lessons. The weather above, the water below, and everything on the boat in between can provide daily, real world science lessons. Connecting these hands on, experiential learning experiences to educational objectives can open up a whole new world of learning and opportunity to both sailors and sailing programs. Adding or enhancing STEM, through, to a sailing curriculum has the potential to be both philosophically and financially beneficial. Given the crisis in today s educational model, sailing programs have an opportunity to effect change. Answering the call for education reform, sailing programs can combine s STEM content with unique on the water training in after school, summer, and community partner learning experiences. 5
How did we get here? Three years ago Community Boating Center (CBC) in Providence approached US Sailing to initiate a pilot program to support STEM education and sailing. Through the efforts of CBC and the Jim and Nelly Kilroy Foundation US Sailing developed the program. Community Boating Center (CBC) has been instrumental in developing high quality summer and after school programming since our inception in 1994. In Providence, RI, the capital of the Ocean State, CBC was a natural fit to tease out the science of sailing. Our hands on, inquiry based learning models used sailing as a medium to enhance in school initiatives and combat summer learning loss. Our unique work coincided with a national movement to support STEM education we knew we were on to something. We approached US Sailing three years ago to initiate a pilot program that could be tapped as a model to better connect STEM and sailing nationwide. 6
Fastest point of sail (most fun) Sailing across the wind (across the curriculum) Challenge students to reach further academically Sailing has a greater reach involving more people Opportunity to positively impact education
Module 1 Measuring Wind Module 2 Buoyancy Module 3 Sail Area and Perimeter Module 4 Simple Machines on Sailboats Module 5 Water Quality Testing Module 6 Marine Debris Module 7 Upwind Sailing Angles Module 8 Lifts, Headers, and Wind Shifts Module 9 Wind Power Module 10 Underwater Exploration US Sailing has joined with a team of experts to create the Program and curriculum for middle school students. 8
Visit reach.ussailing.org
Lesson Components 1. Grade Level 2. Subject Areas 3. Duration 4. Setting 5. Vocabulary 6. Skills 7. Objectives 8. Materials 9. Procedure 10. Resources 11. Student Activity Sheets 12. Correlation to Standards
When it comes to content ask an expert: Middle School Teacher (Science or Math) Content Specialist Waterway Expert, Engineer, Research Expert Organizations Audubon, SEA Grant, Project WET, NOAA
How will you implement? Do it Better Pre existing STEM program Try It Field Trips, After School Programs, One day Camps, Week long Camp Rainy Day / Bad Weather Activities Go over implementation for each group. 12
Suggestions for Implementation 1.Be Prepared Read the curriculum first! 2.Start small Try one or two modules 3.Reach out Identify content experts in your area. 4.Connect with local middle school science and math teachers or STEM coordinators. 5.Tell parents. 6.Keep it fun and interesting. 7.Do what works. Movie
Does this program have value to me? Can I implement some of the curriculum? Where/How can I implement these modules? Will I try it? How can I work with a US Sailing member organization?
Thank you Jessica Servis Program Manager jessica@ussailing.org