Greenburgh Central School District
February 2018
STEAM Scheme INAUGURAL ISSUE Welcome! During the budget process of the 2015-16 school year, our Superintendent, Dr. Tahira DuPree Chase, proposed a new position to the Greenburgh Central School District, Director of STEAM. This vision began the journey where we find ourselves, a small public school district located 25 miles north of New York City, on the cutting edge of 21st century education. Over the past year and a half there have been many STEAM rich experiences, connections and future plans for our students in the district, Pre-K-12th grade. Each and every building in our district has been provided an overview of the STEAM Philosophy and has had a hand in shaping what that means for their respective building. This inaugural issue will highlight some of the past work that has been originated from the department. Subsequent issues, to be published moving forward in September, February and June, will highlight the events and activities that are upcoming or have recently been completed. We hope that you enjoy this publication with the ultimate goal being hat it makes you think.
WHAT IS STEAM? Let’s first start by defining the acronym STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. These five specific content areas have usually been taught separately but the STEAM philosophy strives to include as many as possible together, with students working collaboratively on problem-based tasks where multiple disciplines are needed, in addition to outside-the-box thinking, to be successful.
S T E A M INSIDE THIS ISSUE Innovation Rooms ...................2 Engineers Week .......................2 Computer Science Week ..........3 Science Extravaganza ..............3 Psychology of Robotics ............4
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST Greenburgh Central School District’s STEAM Philosophy Corporate/local partnerships A review of the first 16 months of the STEAM Department
INNOVATION ROOMS Innovation—the introduction of something new; a new idea, method or device. This definition, from the MerriamWebster dictionary speaks to the philosophy behind the creation of these rooms. (Please see the insert below for the Greenburgh CSD STEAM Philosophy.)
these open-ended, 21st century learning spaces. If you are at one of the buildings, please ask for a tour. **ECP and Lee F. Jackson Elementary School will bring the Innovation Room philosophy to each and every classroom, which is developmentally appropriate.
The Middle School/High School and RJ Bailey Elementary School Innovation Rooms had their grand openings in October and November 2017. Highview Elementary School will have the grand opening of their Innovation Room by late Spring 2018. Monthly challenges will be coupled with classroom experiences in
“Build it and they will come.”
GREENBURGH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT STEAM PHILOSOPHY In all classrooms, at all levels, students will be engaged in real-world examples/ problems/ experiences with potentially multiple solutions and work either alone or in teams to explore and come up with ideas and solutions on their own using the connected disciplines of the STEAM areas. This approach will help students learn and internalize knowledge, reach the diverse learning styles of our students and help them pursue their passions in the world.
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ENGINEERS WEEK This year’s Engineers Week was held during the week of February 12—16, 2018. Our students will be involved in presentations, field trips, and hands-on exploration into the world of engineering. From engineering the “just right” bed after reading the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears to a classroom visit and presentation from an alumni, Mr. Jared Green, PE, Senior Associate and Vice President at Langan Engineering, students will be exploring various experiences in the world of engineering. We are pleased to be able to expose our students to this week of celebration and education that was first initiated by The National Society of Professional Engineers initiated Engineers Week in 1951. The week coincides with President George Washington's birthday. President Washington is considered as the nation's first engineer, notably for his survey work.
SCIENCE EXTRAVAGANZA
Our PreK-3 mascot Perry dons a hardhat for Engineers Week (Created by Miguel Berrios)
COMPUTER SCIENCE WEEK—HOUR OF CODE With the national focus on Computer Science, with programming and coding included in that focus, the Greenburgh Central School District is making a concerted effort to increase awareness and student opportunities in these areas. For the past two iterations of Computer Science Week, the District has involved all students, PreK-12 in the Hour of Code initiative. Hour of Code is the minimum commitment that schools are dedicating to the coding initiative, but in Greenburgh Central School District we not only provide more than an hour to coding during the celebration week, we also expose students at all grade levels to coding opportunities throughout the school year. In addition to the Hour of Code, we have included a visit from our friends at The Digital Arts Experience, and their coding bus. The bus pulls up and small groups of students hop on to code in a unique environment with highly skilled instructors. The experience is differentiated with both the Scratch and Python platforms being used. Also, we embarked on a unique experience this year connecting with our First Responders in the community, the Greenburgh Police Department and both the Hartsdale and Fairview Fire Departments, First Responders who Code. The premise of the activity was to have our students teach the First Responders what they have learned in terms of coding.
An idea that was launched 5 years ago in conjunction with the PTA and Board of Education, The Science Extravaganza is a showcase for what are the best and brightest STEAM minds in the Greenburgh Central School District. From the 4-12 Science Fair participants who display their projects for the entire community to view to a capstone presentation, the night is full of excitement, hard work and wonder. All of the buildings in the district showcase their programs at the event as well as many outside professionals, from our local police and fire departments, scientists from BASF, Regeneron, etc., as well as our own teachers showcasing their talents. Please make sure to join us on Thursday, March 15th at Woodlands Middle/High School. The events runs from 5-8 pm, stay as long as you can. Partnerships Partnerships have been formed to expose students to real-world experiences and expert , firsthand access to the current standards in business and industry. We truly appreciate the partners we have worked with which include: Manhattan College, Langan Engineering, American Association of University Women, BASF, Regeneron, Digital Arts Experience, Curious on Hudson, The New Tappan Zee Bridge, Town of Greenburgh, White Plains Hospital, ACE Mentoring Program, Greenburgh Police Department, Hartsdale Fire Department, Fairview Fire Department, New York Medical College, Westchester Community College, IBM, and LGI Forensics Engineering. Again, a hearty thank you for your generosity and support.
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PSYCHOLOGY OF ROBOTICS The curriculum for the Robotic Psychology and History Course is the first one offered in the United States, if not the world. The high school course aims to raise awareness about Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. The course increases student motivation and knowledge about technology and human robotic interaction. The aim is for this experience to lead students towards pursuing advanced degrees in engineering, robotics, Artificial Intelligence and space travel/exploration. Topics include the history of robotics, machines and automation. The class examines psychological surveys of humans, robots and their social interaction. Primarily students will map, observe and design parameters in which humans, robotics and Artificial Intelligence coexist. There will be a shortage of talent in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence and this course serves as a gateway to those fields.
DEPARTMENT OF STEAM Administrative Building 475West Hartsdale Avenue Hartsdale, NY 10530 Phone: 914-761-6000 Fax: 914-761-2354 E-mail: tmensch@greenburghcsd.org
High School trip to visit the Robotics Surgery Department at White Plains Hospital.
STEAM