Montague Township School District
STEM Curriculum Guide
Grade 2
2025-2026
Kayte Snyder
| Unit | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | ||
Description
Computer Science and Design Thinking at Montague School integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on, investigative learning. Students apply the engineering design process to real-world problems, working through observation, testing, evaluation, and data collection. The curriculum emphasizes failure as a learning opportunity and develops 21st-century skills including teamwork, creativity, persistence, and problem-solving. Across the year, students explore physical principles such as forces, friction, gravity, and energy while learning to code and work with technology tools. The program builds understanding of both natural and man-made systems through biomimicry, material properties, and design principles.
Big Ideas
- The engineering design process guides problem-solving through planning, building, testing, and iterating solutions.
- Understanding properties of materials, forces, and energy enables better design choices.
- Collaboration, creativity, and persistence are essential for addressing challenges.
- Technology and coding are tools for solving problems and creating innovations.
- Nature provides models and inspiration for human engineering and design.
Essential Questions
- How do scientists and engineers identify and solve real-world problems?
- What is the engineering design process and how do we use it?
- How do materials, forces, and energy affect design solutions?
- How can we learn from nature to improve human design?
- What role does failure play in learning and innovation?
Earth and Space Sciences
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Algorithms and Programming
Data and Analysis
Engineering Design
Interaction of Technology and Humans
Nature of Technology
Crosscutting Concepts
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science
Digital Literacy
Geometry
Measurement
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Science and Engineering Practices
Students write informative texts to explain engineering design processes and create digital stories about investigations. Students engage in collaborative discussions during design challenges and present findings about prototypes and solutions.
Students measure lengths of objects using appropriate tools and units, create bar graphs and picture graphs to represent data, and use addition and subtraction to solve word problems involving measurements and comparisons.
Students investigate environmental issues and climate change, consider multiple perspectives on resource management, and explore how communities make decisions about environmental protection and sustainability.
Assessment in STEM at Montague School uses authentic, real-world approaches including observations, discussions, and project-based learning. Students are assessed on their ability to identify and solve problems, apply science and mathematics concepts, work as productive team members, and iterate designs based on testing results. Formative assessments include observations, discussions, benchmark tasks on specific topics (gear ratios, electrical circuits, Pascal's Principle), and digital work in Google Docs and Google Classroom. Summative assessments center on completed design projects and written reflections. Students are evaluated not only on final products but also on their growth in creativity, communication, teamwork, and willingness to learn from setbacks.