Mission 1: Communication
How do communication skills lead to success in STEM careers?
Welcome to Mission 1!
This mission is all about communication, because whether students know it or not, communication is a foundational skill for success in STEM. The goals of this mission are to build students’ communication skills, precision in language, and detail in descriptions, and to introduce key vocabulary that students will need in future missions.
Overview
1.Before the Mission
Remember to complete the forms 🚩 Required
Before diving into the missions, make sure you have downloaded and completed all the necessary Take Flight forms.
Student Pre-Survey 🚩 Required
Administer the following student pre-assessment for this mission. This link is NOT a template; the data will go directly to the CAST Research Team.
Motivational Moves
Help students develop a growth mindset by teaching what it is and building their self-efficacy through affirimation activities.
Teacher
Explicitly Teach Students About Growth Mindset
Research spanning decades has revealed the profound impact of individuals' mindsets — their beliefs regarding the fixed or adaptable nature of talent, ability, and intelligence — on their motivation, engagement, and performance.
Research shows that you can help girls develop a growth mindset by explicitly teaching all students what a growth mindset is.
Remind students that working through problems and having experiments fail is a normal part of the scientific and engineering process.
Make sure you give them time and space to grapple with and process ideas before stepping in to provide support and direction. Then, if you do jump in remind them about having a growth mindset and the work they are doing to “grow” their STEM skills and knowledge.
This will help you reduce the stereotype that people are just born good at STEM and will help students who need more time and practice to understand concepts in STEM - or fly drones - to feel like they still belong in the class and that they can be successful.
Students
Develop a growth mindset through the Affirmation Activities embedded in the Student Portfolio.
Use one of these videos to teach students what a growth mindset is.
Before the Mission
All the information you need to get started with Mission 1 is in this document below. Remember this document is where you can find the Landing Assessment questions and answers and Lessons from the Field (advice and suggestions from educators who have used Take Flight before).
2. Student Portfolio
Print or Work Online
Every student will need a copy!
This portfolio is where students can capture their learning. They can take notes, make drawings, and document what they do. You can print a copy or share the portfolio virtually.
3. The Challenges
Challenge 1 - Lego Communication
Overview
Description: Students will practice active and accurate communication, listening, and speaking while working with others.
Time estimate: 45 minutes.
Materials:
Pairs of identical sets of Lego pieces, about 10-14 pieces in each set.
Challenge 2: Flying Orb
Overview
Description: Learn about the basic variables for flying drones, including lift, thrust, tilt, and air flow. Establish the collaboration and communication practices that are essential STEM skills.
Time estimate: 2 class periods (90 minutes)
Materials:
For each group of five students, you will need:
A Flying Orb
4. Mission Landing
Landing Assessment 🚩 Required
At the end of each mission is a Landing Assessment. This Assessment consists of a 5-10 question multiple choice quiz and a few open-ended questions. After completing this assessment students receive a downloadable certificate of completion for the STEM: Communication mission. This link is NOT a template; the data will go directly to the CAST Research Team.
Certificate of Completion for Communication Skills
On completion of the post-assessment, students will receive a Certificate of Completion for STEM Communication Skills.
5. Teacher Forum
Need Help?
If you get stuck at any point during this mission, please contact takeflight@cast.org for help.
Connect with Other Take Flight Educators
Use the Padlet below to connect with other teachers, see ideas and inspiration, or ask questions about!