One of the best parts of summer is that it allows me to reflect on the past year and make plans for the upcoming year without feeling rushed. I have time to read about fresh ideas, collect new materials, and create resources for my classroom. As I think about next year, one part of my day that needs an update is literacy centers. I am getting a larger class next year so I will have to add a couple of centers to prevent overcrowding at the ones I already have. I wanted to make my newest centers engaging, so I decided to add a STEM center to my classroom for the first time. Be sure to download the Free STEM Literacy Center Printables here!
There were a few issues I had to consider when designing my STEM center:
1. I need children to be reading or writing every time they come to this center, because it is part of our literacy center rotation.
2. I need to avoid making copies for centers, because I want all of my centers to be as low-prep as possible!
3. I need a way to keep children accountable for the work they are doing at the center.
4. I need materials that children can use independently and clean up quickly!
When I found STEM Journals, I knew I discovered something great! Children can use these journals at the center to record the STEM process. It will encourage them to write about their thinking and experiences while building. Plus, it will allow me to see what they are working on while I am doing guided reading across the room. I will be keeping my STEM Journals at the center in a Clear Classroom Book Organizers. You could assign one journal to each child in the class or to each group who visits the center. I also love these Gear Print Pencils. I like to keep assigned pencils and materials at each center. This unique design will keep the pencils from getting lost around the room or in someone's desk. It is easy to remember that these pencils must be returned to the STEM center! To the right are products I used in my own center.
One of the best parts of a STEM center is the flexibility to use different materials! I plan on having one or two choices of materials available at the center. I will rotate the choices based upon the task. I chose building sets that are durable, easy to use, and quick to clean up! I need students to be able to create their projects independently and clean up quickly when we switch centers. I also invested in sets that will last for a long time! I do not want to start replacing our materials a few months into the school year!
I was not originally planning on keeping the building sets in these Clear Classroom Book Organizers, but I LOVE them! They look fantastic and it is so easy to clean up quickly! They are deep enough to fit a lot of pieces, but they don't take up a lot of space on the table! I can easily store them on a shelf or in my closet when they are not being used at the center.
This center will take some modeling at the beginning of the year to help students understand the expectations. This center is FUN, but it's also for learning! I will teach children how to use their STEM Journals to guide them at the center. I will encourage them to write about each step in the process. At the onset of the year, I expect them to draw a lot of their thinking and then continue adding more writing as the year progresses. To support my little writers, I will have a STEM Journal Prompts displayed at the center. Download the Free Center Printables here.
I created the guide as an editable document so I can change the words and add new pictures when I update the center. You could type different prompts before the year starts to save time later. You could also print a blank guide, laminate it, and use dry erase markers to change your challenge. Children working at the center will use the guide to complete the pages in their STEM Journals.
They will copy the "ASK" question to practice writing sentences with capital letters and question marks. They will use words and pictures to fill in the other boxes as they imagine, plan, create, and reflect. It will be important to emphasize that an original plan might not work, and it's okay to try something different. 
I am so excited to introduce this STEM center in my classroom this year! The last job on my project list is to search for some architecture coffee table books at used book stores. I will also be searching for some building books or other STEM books to complete my center! I want to have some books or magazines to help students feel inspired as they BUILD and WRITE!
