Creating a MS STEM Program Matt Cullen Upper

Creating a MS STEM Program Matt Cullen Upper Merion Area Middle School Technology Education and Engineering Department

Presentation Overview • Matt Cullen has been recruited to develop the new MS STEM program for the Upper Merion Area School District. Program review, curriculum development, lab renovations, public relations, budgeting, extra-curricular programs, teaming, and business partnerships will be presented and discussed.

Program Review • MS Curriculum/Tech Ed Program 1999 -2005 5 th grade – Intro to Production – Wood Working Lines – Drafting – Board Drawing Silver Images – B&W Photography 6 th grade – Production 1 – Wood Energy, Power, Transportation – Circuits, Small Engines, Rockets 7 th grade – Tech Center 21 – Modular Lab - 18 modules - 5 rotations Production 2 - Wood 8 th grade – Tech Center 21 – Modular Lab – 18 modules - 5 rotations Production 3 - Wood

Program Review • MS Curriculum/Tech Ed Program 2005 -2007 5 th grade – Intro to Production – Wood Tech Center 21 – 18 modules – 5 rotations Digital Photography 6 th grade – Production 1 – Wood Energy, Power, Transportation – Circuits, Small Engines, Rockets Digital Photography 7 th grade – Tech Center 21 – Modular Lab - 18 modules - 5 rotations Production 2 – Wood Digital Photography 8 th grade – Tech Center 21 – Modular Lab – 18 modules - 5 rotations Production 3 – Wood – CO 2 Dragster Project Digital Photography

Program Review • MS Curriculum/Tech Ed Program 2007 -2009 5 th grade – Intro to Production – Wood Digital Photography 6 th grade – Production 1 – Wood Digital Photography 7 th grade – Energy, Power, Transportation – Circuits, Small Engines, Rockets Digital Photography 8 th grade – Production 3 – Wood – CO 2 Dragster Project Digital Photography

Program Review Program Evaluation– Current Inventory Lab Equipment, Materials, Hardware, Software, Instructional Materials Curriculum Review Official Documents, Actual Units, Handouts and Worksheets, Assessment Tools course descriptions Budget past 2 years - replacement equipment, consumables Staff Interviews Administration Guidance Department Academic Team Leaders Director of Technology Curriculum Supervisor Program, Facility, Staffing Review Instructional Supervisor Methods of Instruction, Instructional Technology, Teaching Strategies

Curriculum Development • New Philosophy, Mission, Goals – STEM focus • New Courses – TEAP K-12 guide and ITEEA Eb. D materials – New Courses Names • • Intro Technology Exploring technology Applying Technology Creating technology – New Tech Labs Names • Design and Engineering Tech Lab • Robotics Tech Lab • Production/Manufacturing Tech lab • Curriculum Revision Time Frame – 3 year approval process • Instructional supervisor, curriculum director, curriculum committee, school board

Lab Renovations/Upgrades • B-211 – Design and Engineering Tech Lab – Removed all portrait stations, photo displays, old/unused equipment – Upgraded/added computer stations - 30 student workstations • New processor, memory, monitors, software image • Adobe Design Suite • Auto. Desk Design Kids • • MS Office Suite Shareware – Google sketch-up, West Point Bridge Design, Scratch, Game Maker 8 – SMART Board, SMART Document Camera, Digital Classroom • B-214 – Robotics Tech Lab – Removed and reallocated Tech Center 21 equipment – kept lab furniture – New Computer Image – 18 workstations • NXT 2. 0, We Do Robots, MS Office Suite • B-138 – Production/Manufacturing – Data projector, multimedia connections for laptop, DVD, video – New Jigs, Fixtures, updated safety signs, repaired all equipment

Public Relations/Promotion Program Press Releases District Communication specialist - local newspapers, TV, media District Newsletter MS Newsletter School wide email Viking Channel HS video/TV program – high light videos Program updates and announcements MS Displays Technology and Engineering area Main Lobby Display Cases Vikings on Display Yearly celebration to promote outstanding programs Parents Night / Orientation Program presentations at opening sessions

Funding/Budgeting • $13, 000 Start-up money to upgrade computer stations and lab equipment • $4, 000 for Auto. Desk Design Kids Lab License • $4, 000 Start-up for NXT robotics kits • $3, 000 for SMART Board • $2, 000 mini grant-foundation-Digital Classroom set-up • Yearly Budget – $5, 000 consumables – for 900 students – Student activity account - $450 for TSA affiliation – PTC - $500 for Robotics team • Fundraising / Business Sponsors

Extra-Curricular Programs • • Science Olympiad Team Technology Student Association Robotics Team – FLL, Sea Perch After School Intramural – – Design and Engineering – 5 th and 6 th grade girls • STEM Video Game Design Challenge • After School Open Labs

Teaming • Science • Work with a science teacher from each grade level • Review and align curriculum standards • Math • Work with a math teacher from each grade level • Review and align curriculum standard • Gifted Program • Develop STEM activities for students to select • Independent Study for Advance Math students • Future Plans • Develop a STEM team at the MS • Possible schedule change – new delivery system

Business Partnerships • Lockheed. Martin – Robotics Division – Mentors – Grant application – Robotics Team Sponsor

Upper Merion Area Middle School Technology and Engineering Education Philosophy – The Technology and Engineering Education program focuses on developing technology problem solving skills, technological literacy, and 21 st century skills through hands-on activities integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Mission Technology and Engineering Education is committed to preparing students for employment, citizenship, and life long learning by teaching technological literacy. Goals All students will be able to successfully contribute and function in a technological society. All students will have basic skills in technological problem solving. All students will develop technological literacy to be successful in life. Create the innovative thinkers and doers of the 21 st century. Prepare all students for the next phase of life. Core Values Be Honest Be Fair Keep our Commitments Respect Individuals Encourage Intellectual Integrity Community of Character – Character Education

UMAMS Technology Education 5 th Grade – Intro to Technology Introduction to Technology is an activity-based course that introduces students to technology by examining basic systems in Technology. Students will have a variety of projects using the problem solving method, measurement skills, basic tools, machine processes, computer applications, technical drawing skills, design skills, robotics, teamwork, and collaboration. Students will work in teams and individually to complete required classroom and lab assignments. Instructional Time 45 cycles, 2 periods/4 day cycle, 90 - 43 minute classes, 64. 5 hours of instruction 1 semester in Production/Materials Lab – materials processing, production 1 semester in Design and Engineering Lab – problem solving, tech drawing, computer aided design, simple machines and mechanisms, robotics, 21 st century skills, and aerospace engineering.

UMAMS Technology Education Technology Student Association The Technology Student Association fosters personal growth, leadership, and opportunities in technology, innovation, design, and engineering. Members apply and integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts through co-curricular activities, competitive events and related programs. Advisor – Mr. Cullen School Wide Affiliation – all MS students can participate – grades 5 -8 Open Lab Times – Mondays and Wednesdays – 3: 00 – 4: 30 pm – Cost – lab fees for project materials, registration fees for events, travel expenses to attend conferences Benefits – MS Students have an opportunity to participate in national technology student organization, Tech Ed program development, public relations, business and industry partnerships, technology curriculum materials and activities, core subject integration.

UMAMS Technology Education FIRST Lego League Robotics Team Introduces students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. students get to: Design, build and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology Apply real-world math and science concepts Research challenges facing today’s scientists Learn critical thinking, team-building and presentation skills Participate in tournaments and celebrations Benefits – MS Students have an opportunity to participate in an international science, technology, and engineering program, Tech Ed program development, public relations, business and industry partnerships, technology curriculum materials and activities, core subject integration. Seeking Funding and Sponsorship for 2010 -11 School Year

UMAMS Technology Education Design and Engineering Lab

UMAMS Technology Education Tech Lab – Tech Center 21 - Robotics

UMAMS Technology Education Production/Manufacturing Lab

UMAMS Technology Education Upgraded Computer Stations 30 Student Work Stations Flat Panel LCD Monitor Processor Upgrade Memory Upgrade Headphones Software Upgrade Adobe Master Collection Microsoft Office Photo Story Movie Maker Sketch. Up 7 – CAD Auto. Desk – CAD Robotics Engineering Mindstorms NXT

UMAMS Technology Education Heat Transfer Press Station Production Printing Station Professional Grade Press Digital Control System Pallet Package T-Shirts Mouse Pads Staff Shirts Shorts Sleeves T-Shirt Design Challenge – 8 th grade project Student produced uniforms for clubs and intramurals

UMAMS Technology Education Robotics Engineering Station 12 Robotics Stations Lego – Mindstorm – NXT Education Kits USB interface Carnigie Mellon Robotics Institute Robotics Engineering Software Interactive Multimedia Instruction Self Paced, Self Directed Curriculum TSA, FLL, and Science Olympiad Competitions

UMAMS Technology Education We Do Robotics Station 12 Intro to Robotics Stations Lego – We Do Robotics Kits USB interface Lego system control software Interactive Multimedia Instruction Self Paced, Self Directed Curriculum Simple Machines, Mechanisms, Computer Programming, System Control Tech Teamwork and Problem Solving Cross Curricular Units

UMAMS Technology Education Hydroponics Grow Station Hydroponic Grow Station Bio-related Technology Activity New Engineering by Design Hydroponics Unit Research and Development Teams will be monitoring the grown station and using the professionally designed system as inspiration for the student design challenge

UMAMS Technology Education Zome Building Kits Design and Engineering Kits Engineering Structures Design Challenge Technology Problem Solving Procedure Activity Cooperative Learning Activity STEM integration 5 th Grade Intro to Technology Activity

UMAMS Technology Education Curriculum Development Curriculum Writing Curriculum writing will be the focus of professional development during the 2010 -11 school year. New curriculum documents and materials will be reviewed and revised for school board approval. MS and HS Tech Ed curriculum will be aligned to the new PA Science, Technology, and Engineering standards A Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics approach to instruction STEM Integration – will be developed.