As the school year comes to a close, my journey being an innovator and Educator has opened new doors and opportunities. It all started four years ago when I was asked to teach a new class being offered in the district called STEAM. I was to teach this class only one period a day with my remaining classes being Science. Later that week, I was at the district office sitting with a group of teachers writing the curriculum for the class. Having helped write the curriculum was a major advantage when I taught the class. The following year I was back to teaching all science: the district made the requirement the teacher had to have a math credential, mine is science. The following summer, the district sent me to train using PLTW (project lead the way). The district at the same time was starting to outline their STEAM initiative for the middle schools. Solano Middle School was to showcase robotics and engineering. The robotics program was going well in the building of the robots, but the progamming was never started. I was asked to take over the robotic class. I have no training in Robotics but I jumped at the opportunity.
This year, the district moved ahead in their implementation of the Middle School STEAM program by building two new STEAM labs at each middle school. The labs were to include laptops for every student, collaboration tables, collaboration computers ( with 42" monitors for groups to work at, and 3D printers. The labs were to by used only with STEAM classes. My teaching line at the beginning of the year was three 7th grade science, one STEAM, and one robotics class ( the district changed the policy about credentials). In November, I was approached by the school district and was asked if I wanted to use one of the new labs to become my regular classroom. I didn't even hesitate and agreed 100%. In late February of this year, I moved into the new room. I feel like I have found all the Willy Wonka Golden Tickets. Currently the room has all the items previously mentioned and the numbers of 3D printers has increased to four and two new group computers will be set up during the summer ( where they will be set up is creating a dilema). The robotics area has expanded to include three unique and different robotic systems: Vex, Lego Mindstorms, and Linkbots.
The new room was very different from my last room, therefore, I had to change many policies and procedures to work in the room. The previous room has individual tables, the new room has tables that seat six for collaboration. As of today, I was notified that I will be teaching all STEAM for the 2015-2016 school year. This summer, I have to create all new curriculum for the class, since the curriculum is not yet complete. I will use what has been developed such as computer programming and robotics and incorporate engineering design, two challenge based learning projects, and 3D modeling. The purpose for reflecting on my journey was to emphasize the importance of taking on new adventures and opportunities because it can take you to great places that never where imagined. If I was asked four years ago what I would be teaching during the 2015-2016 school year, I would have bet the farm on 7th and 8th grade Science. Needless to say, I am eagerly anticipating the next school year.
This year, the district moved ahead in their implementation of the Middle School STEAM program by building two new STEAM labs at each middle school. The labs were to include laptops for every student, collaboration tables, collaboration computers ( with 42" monitors for groups to work at, and 3D printers. The labs were to by used only with STEAM classes. My teaching line at the beginning of the year was three 7th grade science, one STEAM, and one robotics class ( the district changed the policy about credentials). In November, I was approached by the school district and was asked if I wanted to use one of the new labs to become my regular classroom. I didn't even hesitate and agreed 100%. In late February of this year, I moved into the new room. I feel like I have found all the Willy Wonka Golden Tickets. Currently the room has all the items previously mentioned and the numbers of 3D printers has increased to four and two new group computers will be set up during the summer ( where they will be set up is creating a dilema). The robotics area has expanded to include three unique and different robotic systems: Vex, Lego Mindstorms, and Linkbots.
The new room was very different from my last room, therefore, I had to change many policies and procedures to work in the room. The previous room has individual tables, the new room has tables that seat six for collaboration. As of today, I was notified that I will be teaching all STEAM for the 2015-2016 school year. This summer, I have to create all new curriculum for the class, since the curriculum is not yet complete. I will use what has been developed such as computer programming and robotics and incorporate engineering design, two challenge based learning projects, and 3D modeling. The purpose for reflecting on my journey was to emphasize the importance of taking on new adventures and opportunities because it can take you to great places that never where imagined. If I was asked four years ago what I would be teaching during the 2015-2016 school year, I would have bet the farm on 7th and 8th grade Science. Needless to say, I am eagerly anticipating the next school year.