Carol Dweck, Growth Mindsets and Motivation

Rockwell Collins - STEM Video Contest

Wednesday Found me Wondering and Whining (Just a little)

Some days I don't know how my colleagues tolerate my constant complaints about feeling exhausted following this strange bout with Shingles.  Just when I think I am back in the saddle the horse decides to give me a toss and add a kick to boot.  Again I must reflect on the wisdom of my elders and I can hear my grandfather say "this too shall pass".

Okay... on with the real reason I am blogging tonight.... over the past three days I have had ample opportunities to talk to teachers and administrators about science and formative assessments.  I sense a real mindset shift happening.  As Carol Dweck says on her website;

"In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort. They’re wrong.

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities."

If you are curious about your own mindset, may I recommend that you take Carol Dweck's quiz by clicking on this link:  http://mindsetonline.com/testyourmindset/step1.php

The reason I thought of blogging about this today is also related to the fabulous conversations we had today at the Corridor STEM Initiative (CSI) Out of School Opportunities meeting.  Nannette and I posed a question to the group to seek their input on the goals to embed Engineering within school science.  We had many excellent contributions from the members of the groups; including the following comments:

• Ann (ISU Extension) stressed that we emphasize the need to link after school STEM opportunities to the school science and math curriculum to help build strong connections between the two.
• She further stressed a need for quality professional development for the after school care providers to ensure they were both aware of how their STEM programs supported the concepts students were learning in school ending by stating "after all they are the same kids".
• MaryLou (Work Place Learning Connection) emphasized the importance of showcasing STEM careers at the moment students were expressing appreciation and enthusiasm for the STEM activities (such as Designing a Windmill) they were engaged in experiencing.
• Jenny (Rockwell Collins) stated emphatically that the members of the P-12 Engineering in Education forum need to breakdown the silos between applied and pure science.  Stating these terms don't mean anything to students, parents or engineers.  She also expressed regret that there weren't more business partners attending the forum since they offer the practical perspective between school and career.
• Jenny also wondered out loud why no students were invited to attend the forum.  She encouraged us to reflect the needs of students simultaneously with sharing the needs of teachers.
• Nora (Science Station) wanted to make sure we helped the forum members appreciate that informal eduction builds confidence and helps motivate students to elect to take more math and science.  She also stressed that we need to start showcasing career choices in elementary school; paying attention to the way we package and market careers to make sure our message is geared toward the age of the audience.
• Suzie (GWAEA) suggested teachers encourage students to look outside the school for problems in their community that they could help solve; which requires professional development for all stakeholders.
• And finally an anonymous contribution on the yellow note card said; "I like the idea of 'honoring" the history and what is now being taught that fits or promotes engineering education."

These ideas will be considered and contributed to the entire group as Nannette, Rebecca and I participate in the forum tomorrow.  We were also asked to debrief the OSO committee on the results of the forum.  And what touched my heart was when Dick Whitehead (CCSD Superintendent) and chair of the OSO committee commended me for insisting on a place at the table as he saw the same need I did for practitioners (teachers) to provide input in such an important forum.

To meet that charge; I will end my blog and get some rest to make sure I have all of my mental faculties with me in the morning.  Since I have valued STEM education my entire teaching career; I am as excited to listen and learn as I am to contribute.