Teacher Case Study: Meagan Dimit (2)

8th grade Science and STEM teacher Meagan Dimit used the Marketing Specialist: Handheld Devices task

A Defined STEM Learning Experience From:
Meagan Dimit
8 th -Grade Science and STEM teacher
Frances Xavier Warde School (IL)

Performance Task: 
Marketing Specialist: Handheld Devices

Here’s What We Did:
As a STEM department, we used a handful of Defined STEM performance tasks to create our curriculum for the class. We took an in-depth look at the wide variety of tasks to choose from, and determined which tasks and products our students would enjoy and learn from the most. We created the curriculum by considering the complexity of the products and if some products could be used to complete the next product, creating a multi-step and multi-faceted project.

For each task, we started with a whole-group activity to give students a broad understanding of what they would be doing to complete the task, and to get them excited about the content. During the Marketing Specialist task, students were acting as media marketing specialists for a telecommunications company. Their goal was to design a marketing campaign that used their individual vision of the cell phones and handheld devices of the future. Additionally, their knowledge of waves used for communication purposes were critically important when presenting the new device. Students provided input on each new product and collaborated to complete the task. For their final products, students had a choice between creating an extension-research study on recent market changes, delivering a multimedia presentation, building a model of their product, writing a press release explaining their product, or giving an oral presentation.

Why Defined STEM Was the Perfect Fit:
My students really enjoy the tasks and the freedom to create their own products. They have begun relating all the products to real-world scenarios. The students were more motivated by the hands-on activities in which writing and math were not involved. They also thrived when we gave them opportunities to incorporate their iPad technology into the projects. Defined STEM works in my classroom to allow students to create a variety of products that allow them to take on the persona of a career.