Why You Need a Station Rotation in STEM
Wondering if a station rotation is worth having in a STEM space? Why even get started with this instructional model? While stations don’t have to be used every class time (they definitely can!), it’s worth adding into your instructional model. Below are the benefits I’ve seen in my K-5 STEM classes when using a station rotation.
Click HERE for your free STEM Station Rotation Planning Guide.
STEM Station Blog Series:
- Part 1: Why You Need a Station Rotation (this post)
- Part 2: Tips for STEM Classroom Management During Stations
- Part 3: Must-Have STEM Station Rotation Ideas
Station Rotation | #1 More Experiences in Less Time
Lack of time is a common thread in the teacher community. To maximize the time you are given, stations are a great way to do this. Instead of working on one project during class time, students have opportunities to experience more.
With stations, many bite-sized activities can happen over the course of a couple of days. Experiencing robots, a building challenge, making scientific observations and attacking a math challenge can all get done at once.
When planning units, think about the lessons that aren’t as intense and save those for a station rotation. These experiences are still meaningful, but don’t require an entire class time to complete it.
Station Rotation | #2 Less Materials Needed
Buying quality STEM supplies isn’t cheap! Of course, buying supplies isn’t always needed to get started with STEM. [You can read about how to start your Makerspace by clicking here]
When purchasing materials is an option, don’t feel obligated to buy a class set. Or even half a class set! Station rotations make it possible when you only have 4-6 of an item.
In my STEM classroom, I only have 5 Bee-Bot robots since they are expensive. However, that has been plenty in my classroom since they are a high quality robot for primary students and they can be used at a station easily.
Station Rotation | #3 Opportunities for Small Groups
There are many opportunities when students need to be explicitly taught concepts in STEM. Sometimes, this can be difficult in a whole group setting.
With a station rotation, this can naturally bring an opportunity to pull small groups. Or, if you don’t want to take students away from the experiences, have one of the stations be a teacher-led station.
Some teacher-led ideas can be:
- teaching a new tech skill
- introducing a new app
- completing a first step in a bigger project
- catching up on past projects
Station Rotation | #4 Easy to Manage
The biggest goal when hosting station rotations is to build student independence when exploring STEM concepts. Once this is implemented in the classroom, station rotations are fairly easy to manage.
With minimal materials and student directed, this is a great time as a teacher to facilitate the learning. Helping individual students can often be easier during this time since students all have a task they are working on.
So what are some management tips?
Stay tuned for the next blog post in this series: Tips for STEM Classroom Management During Centers
Station Rotation | Let Me Help You Plan!
Planning out your STEM Rotations doesn’t have to be difficult. Click HERE to grab your FREE STEM Rotation Planning Guide. Inside are templates and ideas to get you started with implementing your first round of STEM Rotations!
Don't forget to grab your FREE Guide before you go!
Other Blog Posts You Might Enjoy:
- Tips for STEM Classroom Management During Stations by Naomi Meredith
- Must-Have STEM Station Rotation Ideas by Naomi Meredith
- How to Start a Makerspace by Naomi Meredith
- Best Robots for Kids for STEM & Technology Lessons by Naomi Meredith
- STEM Activity for Elementary Students | Engineer Inspiration by Naomi Meredith
What questions do you have about these activities? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ or send me an email, contactnaomimeredith(at)gmail.com, and I would love to chat with you!
More About the Author, Naomi Meredith
Naomi Meredith is a former classroom teacher turned current K-5 STEM teacher and coach. Her role not only includes teaching over 500 students in her school, but also leading professional development and co-teaching with teachers to help them integrate STEM & Technology.
With over a decade of experience along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM certificate, she helps teachers navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there.
She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM & Technology in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!