Considerations for challenges with STEM standards alignment in the middle grades

Research favors active learning through STEM disciplines to improve understanding; however, opportunities for well‐aligned STEM integration presented challenges for Northside Independent School District (NISD). First, state standards did not align across contents and grade levels. Second, the standardized tests created a lack of flexibility to adjust the pacing and sequencing of instruction. Third, there was a lack of resources that supported each of the content areas in an integrated and aligned STEM learning experience that benefited the individual content areas. To address these needs, Northside ISD used innovative practices to overcome their challenges with writing a middle school STEM curriculum. Despite the lack of resources available, the middle school curriculum and instruction team addressed these challenges by re‐sequencing standards, developing Design Challenge research opportunities, and identifying a unique STEM Context that could be carried throughout an instructional unit. This innovation addressed each core content area with fidelity and allowed for STEM alignment while also exposing students in the district to unique STEM opportunities.