I'm a teacher at South Portland High School who LOVES Computer Science and STEAM! I've been teaching since 2002!
Through hard work, planning, grants, and donations: I've managed to put together a pretty awesome maker program that goes beyond the students and reaches the community around the school. The space is used for several classes with different teachers. We've also had makers join us from the community: past graduates, other teachers, parents, grand parents, and even elementary students have come and worked on projects with us! It's a wicked fun program and it's done well to increase involvement in STEAM and CS by all students. I was focused on getting more girls, and in practice I've actually increased girls, community involvement, ELL students, and students with alternative needs. It's been AWESOME.
I try to diversify the projects we do: so it's not always coding or electronics. I also try to ask the group: what do THEY want to do?
Students have asked to make jewelry. I tried hard to think about a school appropriate and STEAM related way to teach it- something beyond metal stamping. I proposed we teach lamp working and teach students how to make glass beads.
After serious consideration by the school (including safety concerns) it's been approved. The club (including teachers, parents, and students) is going to do something really, really awesome: that touches upon so many fields of study AND has them practicing so many awesome skills.
I've found funds for the basic kit, two sets of glasses, and teacher training. Now we need funds for: a safety smoke alarm, a fiber blanket, tools, and the safety glasses. The glasses are VERY expensive: but everyone who comes will need a pair. Help?
About my class
I'm a teacher at South Portland High School who LOVES Computer Science and STEAM! I've been teaching since 2002!
Through hard work, planning, grants, and donations: I've managed to put together a pretty awesome maker program that goes beyond the students and reaches the community around the school. The space is used for several classes with different teachers. We've also had makers join us from the community: past graduates, other teachers, parents, grand parents, and even elementary students have come and worked on projects with us! It's a wicked fun program and it's done well to increase involvement in STEAM and CS by all students. I was focused on getting more girls, and in practice I've actually increased girls, community involvement, ELL students, and students with alternative needs. It's been AWESOME.
I try to diversify the projects we do: so it's not always coding or electronics. I also try to ask the group: what do THEY want to do?
Students have asked to make jewelry. I tried hard to think about a school appropriate and STEAM related way to teach it- something beyond metal stamping. I proposed we teach lamp working and teach students how to make glass beads.
After serious consideration by the school (including safety concerns) it's been approved. The club (including teachers, parents, and students) is going to do something really, really awesome: that touches upon so many fields of study AND has them practicing so many awesome skills.
I've found funds for the basic kit, two sets of glasses, and teacher training. Now we need funds for: a safety smoke alarm, a fiber blanket, tools, and the safety glasses. The glasses are VERY expensive: but everyone who comes will need a pair. Help?
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