FAQ
Find answers to frequently asked questions about TEEMS!
What grades is the TEEMS curriculum designed for?
The TEEMS curriculum integrates engineering design into the 6th-grade science classroom.
Does the TEEMS curriculum align with standards?
The TEEMS curriculum aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for Middle School Engineering Design (MS-ETS1). This includes MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3, and MS-ETS1-4.
In addition, the TEEMS curriculum is designed to integrate with topics in the 6th-grade science curriculum.
Do I need to download software to use TEEMS?
No software is required. The TEEMS curriculum is provided online at teemsproject.com (for teacher support) and goteems.com (for students in the classroom).
How much does the TEEMS curriculum cost?
Because it’s funded by the National Science Foundation, the TEEMS curriculum is completely free for teachers to use.
What is Imaginative Education?
Our approach to engineering education is based on a learning theory called Imaginative Education (IE), developed by researcher Kieran Egan. In Imaginative Education, learning takes place in the context of narratives that are developmentally appropriate to specific age groups (for example, your 6th-grade students). Imaginative elements engage students emotionally and give them a reason to care about what they're learning. Topics or subjects that initially may not be appealing to learners become relevant and important when framed with the cognitive tools of Imaginative Education. This approach also makes teaching more fun for educators!
How does the TEEMS curriculum impact STEM identity?
By relating to engaging storylines and relatable characters (both real-life and fictional), students can see themselves as engineers who help people (and don’t just wear hard hats). They become part of a story and acquire a sense of agency in an imaginative space in which their thoughts and ideas are valued and shared. In this environment, engineering becomes something they can do.
