Welcome to JMS STEM
elective class and our SmartLab.
Our JMS SmartLab helps
us to address the following question: How do we prepare students to
succeed in jobs that don't yet exist... requiring skills and utilizing
technologies not yet invented? We do this in our SmartLab with the latest
technologies and an evolving, student-centered, curriculum in the quest to
better prepare students to participate in and contribute in
tomorrow's world. The SmartLab is characterized by:
-Personal relevance
and intrinsic motivation - recognized as essential for higher-order thinking
- Trans-disciplinary approaches
that apply technology to the understanding of core subject knowledge
-Portfolios and
presentations that encourage communication skills and performance based
assessment
-Collaborative
environments that encourage teamwork
-Motivated students
and exceptional education professionals guided by best practices in learning
and teaching
-Emphasis on application of knowledge and
skills
-Responsibility, choice, accountability,
and reflection.
Student learners will take responsibility
for identifying, planning, documenting, and completing personally relevant
projects. I will be a "Facilitator" to guide the process.
Student learners define appropriate challenges and tailor projects to
their own interests and experiences. (SMART objectives) Their learning is
driven by application. Learners develop project objectives which drive
the desire to acquire knowledge and skills. This application makes
the SmartLab learning relevant and meaningful.
In this semester course, we will begin
with an orientation/grouping time, then move into the SmartLab
islands where you will rotate through approximately 6 different topics
over 7 to 10 day project windows. Some of them may include:
Alternative Energy - Solar
Claymation
Fischertechniks Mechanics and Statics
Laser communications
Lego EV3 Robotics
MaKey MaKey circuitry
Pneumatic systems exploration kit
Sensing Science probeware
Snap Circuits
Spark Fun Digital Sandbox
Zome Modeling
K'nex
Video Creation with Sony Acid and Sony
Vegas, Adobe Photoshop, Camtasia, Comic Creation, CrazyTalk,
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Punch 3D Home Design
SimCity planning simulation
Students, in designated pairs, will begin
in their specific project area by developing a SMART objective and work for the
7 or 10 day project time frame. They will be expected to journal each day
at the end of class, and at the end of the project time, they will make a short
presentation to their island group. They will also be required to
complete a self-assessment.
Students
will be responsible for taking care of any and all materials and equipment they
will be using.