STEAM Up the Room with Global Connections

1. Introduction (5 minutes) • Briefly introduce myself and the session’s objectives. • Icebreaker Activity: Use an interactive poll to engage attendees right from the start. 2. Setting the Context (5 minutes) • Case Study Introduction: share my experience taking global connections with light poverty in Dominican Republic, lack of technology access in Uganda, and a need for adaptive technology by a Huntington's sufferer in Canada and show how my students were able to use STEAM-based design thinking to create real-world solutions. 3. Interactive Group Activity (15 minutes) • Breakout Groups: Divide attendees into small groups and assign each group a different global challenge. • Brainstorming Session: Have groups brainstorm and develop STEAM-based solutions. • Group Share: Each group presents their ideas briefly to the larger group. 4. Reflection and Feedback (5 minutes) • Reflection Session: Have attendees share their thoughts and feedback on the activities.

Books: - Connections-based Learning. Sean Robinson (2017) - The Connection Lens (2020) - How People Learn. Bransford, Brown, and Cocking (2000) Articles: - What did you do in school today? Willms, Friesen, and Milton (2009) - Videoconferencing for Global Citizenship Education: Wise Practices for Social Studies Educators. Daniel G. Krutka & Kenneth T. Carano (2015) Websites: - https://connectionsbasedlearning.com/research-base