Ariana's Learning Diary - Opening Minds to STEM Careers by Ariana Vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r en-us 2017-04-14 20:57:25 UTC 2026-01-17 17:11:11 UTC hello@padlet.com About me ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166405627 I'm math teacher at Colegiul National Emil Racovita from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. I teach high-school students (15 - 19 years). I'm working also on many national and international projects - as I think the best teacher is the one who is an excellent learner.]]> 2017-04-14 21:00:15 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166405627 My teaching context ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166405753 The school where I teach is one of the best in my town. The students are pretty motivated to learn and most of the parents are interested in the education of their children. 
 
This year I teach students from three classes (science specialization): the 10th, the 11th and the 12th grades. Class sizes are between 25 - 31 students. The students interest in learning math is average (most of the students want to study medicine after graduating the high-school). 
 
I have my own classroom - and it has a video-projector. I have a tablet (it has been provided by the school), and we have wi-fi in our school. Students have tablets (each pair of students have a tablet)
 
In my teaching, I use different ICT tools (a Moodle platform & Google drive - for the students e-portfolios). I also use and I encourage students to use Geogebra - as it is a great for visualising mathematics.]]> 2017-04-14 21:02:37 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166405753 Module 1 - 1.1 The world of STEM ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166406299 I'm a math teacher, so, from my point of view, math (and STEM) education is essential. Why? Because we have to prepare our students for the 21st century society - a society in which technology, innovation, adaptation, critical thinking, problem solving are essential. Most of the students are asking themselves (and their teachers) why do they have to study math. In a STEM education approach, students would identify the utility of math as a tool for solving problems. 'In a STEM-based learning environment, the relevance of math will be shown and used often, demonstrating its purpose, transforming its perception, removing its mystique, revealing it as another way to help solve problems.' (http://www.edisonmuckers.org/the-importance-of-stem/)]]> 2017-04-14 21:12:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166406299 Module 1 - 1.2. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166408106 1) Do you think there is a lack of STEM skills in Europe?
No.
 3) If not, why are employers finding difficulties to employ workers?
An explanation to this situation is given in the publication EU skills panorama: Analytical highlight - Focus on Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills. The authors consider that: 
  • From 2003 to 2013, the number of people working in STEM occupations grew by 12%, three times as much as total EU-28 employment. STEM occupations now account for 7% of all jobs.
  • Much of this growth occurred from 2003 to 2008. However, there are signs of a recent upturn, which is creating recruitment difficulties in most EU-28 countries.
  • Demand for STEM skills is anticipated to increase in the short and medium term. Whilst the numbers of STEM students and graduates are both increasing, some employers report that they are not ‘job ready’ and do not possess the ‘right’ skills, especially soft skills.
 
]]> 2017-04-14 21:54:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166408106 Module 1 - 1.3. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166624665 The challenge which is most present in my daily professional activities:
- teacher knowledge of science careers; to overcome it,  school- industry collaboration should be set up and a sort of data base of STEM careers should be available.

]]> 2017-04-17 20:03:09 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166624665 Module 2 - 2.1. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166629987 The 4th Industrial Revolution will completly change our lives - in my opinion, we will loose the 'physical' aspect of the world & quintessential human capacities  and we will gain the benefits of the technology advancements. 'It will change not only what we do but also who we are. It will affect our identity and all the issues associated with it: our sense of privacy, our notions of ownership, our consumption patterns, the time we devote to work and leisure, and how we develop our careers, cultivate our skills, meet people, and nurture relationships.' https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond/

]]> 2017-04-17 20:40:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166629987 Module 2 - 2.2. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166633429 We should develop higher-order thinking skills, critical thinking skills, collaborative problem-solving skills. We should encourage creativity and innovation and we should organize exploration/ investigation activities. ]]> 2017-04-17 21:07:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166633429 Module 2 - 2.3. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166635935 As predictions may differ from reality (predictions may be just an 'imagination exercise'), I'm focussing my answer on what we should teach for preparing our students for whatever future STEM jobs. At 1st, we should try to keep our students in the educational system as long as possible - educated people have more chances to get a job. Then, we should focus our teaching on the skills/ competences' development and on critical and creative thinking. ]]> 2017-04-17 21:29:49 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166635935 Module 2 - 2.4. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166640986 IT specialists - they need to have at least Bachelor degree in Computer Science]]> 2017-04-17 21:49:53 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166640986 Module 2 - 2.5. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166641613 Career cluster and Explore STEM careers https://www.stemexplore.org/careers]]> 2017-04-17 21:56:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166641613 Module 3 - 3.2. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166942223 I'm using technology in the classroom pretty often. I have tablets for students (a tablet for each pair of students), my tablet and a video-projector, and wi-fi connection. In my teaching, I use different ICT tools (a Moodle platform & Google drive - for the students e-portfolios). I also use and I encourage students to use Geogebra - as it is a great for visualising mathematics.
I also use the eTwinning space with one of my classes which is involved in an eTwinning project.]]> 2017-04-19 07:30:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166942223 Resources ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166945059 Interactive guide on future technology careers
https://www.thetechpartnership.com/tech-future-careers
Teen Science cafe http://sciencecentremalta.net/portfolio/tsc-oct/
Big Bang Fair https://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/
Microsoft’s Careers https://careers.microsoft.com/
Amgen Scholars http://www.amgenscholars.eu/

Community Partners: Making Student Learning Relevant https://www.edutopia.org/practice/community-partners-making-student-learning-relevant

Education to employment: Getting Europe’s youth into work http://www.mckinsey.com/industries/social-sector/our-insights/converting-education-to-employment-in-europe

Parental influence on child's science-career decision

https://phys.org/news/2010-02-parental-child-science-career-decision.html
Encouraging science at home https://www.edutopia.org/blog/encouraging-science-at-home-bob-pflugfelder
Parents and STEM 2 http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/013.nsf/eng/00001.html
Parents and STEM https://hackbrightacademy.com/blog/6-ways-parents-can-encourage-love-science-tech-kids/ Hypatia project http://www.expecteverything.eu/hypatia/
10 Groundbreaking Women Scientists Written Off By History http://listverse.com/2013/10/14/10-groundbreaking-women-scientists-written-off-by-history/
Female scientists http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/ten-historic-female-scientists-you-should-know-84028788/#2EScWgUsCxmO5s6d.99
project based learning https://www.edutopia.org/blog/what-heck-project-based-learning-heather-wolpert-gawron and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFySmS9_y_0 and
Inquiery based learning in science https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbqPaKTsDIU
Build STEM skills https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghzp9IKlOKw
Conceptual framework for integrated STEM education
https://stemeducationjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40594-016-0046-z

]]> 2017-04-19 07:46:18 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166945059 Module 3 - 3.3. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166945432 The 3 soft skills which are the most important, in my opinion, within the STEM fields:
1. collaborative problem solving 
2. presentation skills
3. time management.
How I address them in the classroom? Mainly by using project based learning/ inquiery-based project approach, through:
- team working on challenging problems
- team presentation of the project work in the classroom/ school/ different events
- clear deadlines for the students' work/ tasks. ]]> 2017-04-19 07:48:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166945432 Module 3 - 3.4. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166950241 I'm using Scientific inquiry/Inquiry Based Science Education within an elective course - see the syllabus of Doing Math As Researchers Do It. 
Results are great - students learn a lot of math and are happy when doing math.]]> 2017-04-19 08:20:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166950241 Module 2 - 2.4. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166951351 IT specialists - they need to have at least Bachelor degree in Computer Science]]> 2017-04-19 08:27:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166951351 Module 3 - 3.5. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166952946 I like Skillage (if I have to choose one) - because you don't need to register. However, all the tools are focused on IT skills.]]> 2017-04-19 08:38:10 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166952946 Module 4 - 4.2. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166992914 The video below shows how I use STEM carrier activities. The researcher is attending our workshop 1 time/ month (during the school year). What I should do more? Connecting the dots and focusing the students' reflection on the STEM carriers (not only on their research process)]]> 2017-04-19 12:51:31 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/166992914 Module 4 - 4.4. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167012172 I already use:
- incorporate authentic research
- integrate experiential activities in the classroom
- citizen science.
 The practices which I am NOT currently using but would like to implement in my classroom are:
- utilize career materials in science texts/journals/articles
- invite guest speakers
- expose students to worksites and outside opportunities.]]> 2017-04-19 13:50:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167012172 Module 5 - 5.1. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167042547 I teach high-school students (natural sciences specialization). In these classes, out of 30-32 students, only 4-6 students are boys. After graduating the high-school, students mostly take STEM careers (and medicine). However, even if girls choose STEM carriers in Romania, there are few who advance in their career (if they graduate IT, they have big chances to get a 'tester' job) - only in chemistry and biology women are pretty well represented. ]]> 2017-04-19 15:15:57 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167042547 Module 5 - 5.2. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167048623 As in my classes there are far more girls than boys (26 girls vs. 6 boys or 27 girls vs 4 boys), in the instruction I never divide students by gender. Somehow, I have to 'take care' of boys - as yhey really feel like a minority in the classroom.]]> 2017-04-19 15:31:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167048623 Module 5 - 5.3. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167057491 Ada Lovelace (Lady Byron)- 1815 - 1852 ... while translating an Italian mathematician’s memoir analyzing an analytical engine , she went beyond completing a simple translation and included a method for calculating a sequence of Bernoulli numbers; this is now acknowledged as the world’s first computer program.]]> 2017-04-19 15:56:09 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167057491 Module 5 - 5.4. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167063207 I'm not aware of any  project, awareness campaign or initiative related to STEM and gender equality in Romania, but I know that Romania is taking part in the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad]]> 2017-04-19 16:14:48 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167063207 Module 6 - 6.1. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167121992 I use the tutoring role (pastoral support - when a student asks for support) and sometimes teaching role (within the subject). In Romania, we don't have CEL or career advisers (as described in the study “Teachers and Careers: The role of school teachers in delivering career and employability learning”). There is a teacher who is responsible for the class, and this teacher have some of the responsibilities listed in table 2, for the career teacher. If a teacher is not responsible for a class, he/ she has no career guidance responsibilities.]]> 2017-04-19 19:33:01 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167121992 Module 6 - 6.2. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167130021 I'm not thinking to invite a VIP role model. Instead, probably I would invite a researcher from the Mathematics or Physics Research Instutite in my city.]]> 2017-04-19 20:09:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167130021 Module 6 - 6.3. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167131927 During the lessons in the Statistics Unit (10th grade) I would invite statisticians who work in different companies/ institutions (e.g.:  economic management, research institutes, a brokerage, insurance companies) as role models/ STEM mentors. ]]> 2017-04-19 20:20:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167131927 Module 6 - 6.4. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167135865 I'm working in a high-school which offer 2 specializations: mathematics and computer science & natural sciences. Most of the students (and parents) are interested in STEM careers. However, when I worked in another school (lower secondary education) - the parents were an issue. I organized sort of 'STEM evenings' for parents & students - they had to explore together some challenging problems .... and there was a lot of fun]]> 2017-04-19 20:47:45 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/167135865 Module 7 - 7.1. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168163249 Our students are mainly part of the “coasters” and “meanderers”—receive strong support but are less motivated - and "high-achievers". What we should do? Try to find ways to motivate them (intrinsic motivation - as their external motivation is pretty high because of their families and competitiveness promoted by the school).  ]]> 2017-04-25 16:35:18 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168163249 Module 7 - 7.2. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168168470 I usually  connect with the business community in my city  by asking parents, friends, my family or my connections, by officially contacting different institutions (e.g. the Facultaty of Mathematics and Computer Science, the Astronomical Observatory). I can bring to school IT professionals (web-developers, web-designers, soft-developers, etc.), financial experts (financial auditors, credit officers, probationary officer, bank manager etc.), researchers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, etc. physicians, (medical doctors), experts in environment issues. ]]> 2017-04-25 16:50:03 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168168470 Module 7 - 7.3. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168175907 In my city there are many internship opportunities (mainly in IT and and HR - see https://optcluj.wordpress.com/) and there are different companies (e.g. Bosch, KPMG) which have different programmes for university students. ]]> 2017-04-25 17:13:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168175907 Module 7 - 7.4. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168179026 Benefits: students gain work experience and can link what they have learnt in school with real life.
Students can be hired by the company at the end of their internship. Students learn a lot during in the internship. 
The students have better opportunities in finding a job.
Disadvantages: the company's staff have their own work to do, they don't have (enough) time to support the students during the internship.

]]> 2017-04-25 17:23:11 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168179026 Module 8 - 8.1. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168192579 In my community, there is taking place, each year, a Science Festival.The Festival is a national science competition included in the timetable of the Romanian Ministery of Education in the section for extracurricular activities and it has been organised in the community, open to general public, by the Cluj County School Inspectorate and Science on Stage Romania. 
This year, we have organized in my city the MATh.in.JEANS congress for high-school students. ]]> 2017-04-25 18:00:09 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168192579 Module 8 - 8.3. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168198094 All of these activities are suited for my students (they are high-school students) - as they all are connecting them with STEM careers. However, I think Career talks / workshops / seminars give more chances to students to deeper discuss with STEM professionals; face-to-face communication is also making communication easier.]]> 2017-04-25 18:17:13 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168198094 Module 8 - 8.4. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168202813 Planning - establishing objectives is essential because it shapes the whole event.
Implementation - update team on accomplishments and next steps is important because all the team members should be 'on the same page' during the implementation phase.
Post event activities - aknowledge appreciation by fwd-ing thank you notes to all involved is important because all the people involved contributed to the success of the event. People need to know that their work was important and appreciated by others. It motivates them to organize the next event.]]> 2017-04-25 18:32:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168202813 Module 8 - 8.5. ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168209596 It looks great! I would like to try to organize a Teen Science Cafe - it seems that it is not very hard to organize it, students meet STEM professional and they might have very good discussions. ]]> 2017-04-25 18:54:00 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/168209596 Final P2P Activity: Organize a STEM careers event or activity ariana_vacaretu https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/173004953 2017-05-21 19:03:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ariana_vacaretu/63rsm1kdmj5r/wish/173004953