A STREAM Runs Through It: Enhancing STEM Vocabulary With Digital Storytelling

• In Event: Roundtable Session 55
  In Roundtable Session: Using STEM: Science Integration and English Language Learners

Abstract

This documentary account reveals a promising multimodal approach for improving the content area vocabulary of underserviced elementary students. Based upon research conducted during a university partnership with a low-socioeconomic status (SES) school, a model that embeds a dynamic and artistic literacy-building activity into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) units resulting in a more robust multi-disciplinary approach called STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) will be described. A combination of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were utilized to understand the ways in which this STREAM approach impacted the content area vocabulary development of struggling fourth graders. Preliminary findings suggest the content area vocabulary knowledge of struggling students improved after participation in the STREAM units.

Authors

• Roxanne Valerie Molina, Nova Southeastern University

• Maryann Tatum Tobin, Nova Southeastern University