Page 4 - TTWIWinter2024V2

STEM
Page 4 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaywi.com

Kennedy Middle School Technology & PLTW Education Changing with the Times

Jeff Thielke an Air Glider; including a performance distance
National Board Certified Instructor test. In addition, Students will have units in
PLTW-Plastics-Technology/Engineering Transportation, Communication and Robotics.
Kennedy Middle School, Germantown, WI The Transportation unit will include a paper
In 2011 I made a professional decision rocket and Glider activity to teach concepts
to join the Technology Education Department about ballistics and stability, and a flight activ-
at Germantown School District. As An expe- ity about aircraft control. The Communication
rienced Technology and PLTW Instructor, unit will include activities in semaphore coding,
I had a new revised vision of how I wanted in radio station operation and in live television
both Technology and PLTW Education to news production. In the Robotics unit students
partnership, offering traditional, Technology will assemble gear train mechanisms in order to
and Pre-Engineering Education to students at learn about torque, speed, gear ratio and other
Kennedy Middle School. I knew this would power transfer concepts.
have to involve a total redesign of the present Construction (7th & 8th Grade)
curriculum and renovation of the Labs, in order Students will design a “Dream” home,
to accommodate this vision. here is the story including interior decorating, exterior furnish-
of this great partnership and voyage of success. ing and landscaping, utilizing 3-D imaging
It all started with a two-year implemen- software. Students will build a wooden model
tation Plan, offering the Nationally Certified bridge, with material and weight limitations, in
Program, Project Lead the Way (PLTW), in the order to perform a strength test. Students will
areas of Design & Modeling and Automation over the years to represent more relevant and Design including interior decorating, utilizing build a 3/32” scaled floor, roof truss and model
& Robotics; with applied activities in Science practical activities. Student enrollment grew 3-D imaging software. The Manufacturing unit of a residential home wall and floor system.
of Technology. This first year in 2011, there over the years, especially amongst our Female will include performing a Plastic Casting of the Students will perform Pre-Engineering CAD
would be one semester in 7th and 8th grade. Students. In those early years, only 9% of our Golf Tee Game, including machining operations drawings of the bridge and residential home
In year two, an additional Design & Modeling students were Female. Today, we have near and Packaging Design. Designed package will model design, utilizing the PLTW 3-D model-
(b) and Robotics (b) class was implemented. 49% girls in the Technology & PLTW Program. transport an “egg” from 20’ to the floor, safely; ing software.
This would enable the entire PLTW-GTT cur- What’s Happening with material and weight limitations. The Pre-
riculum to be covered over the course of 7th Engineering unit will include performing CAD Communications (7th & 8th Grade)
& 8th grade. The more Traditional Technology Exploring Technology Education (6th Grade) drawings of the Golf Tee Game, utilizing the Students will learn about many types of
Education Courses of Exploring Technology, The Construction unit will include PLTW 3-D modeling software. The Measure- photography with an emphasis on lighting,
Transportation, Communication, Construction building and testing a Paper bridge within spec- ment unit will include utilizing a blueprint to
and Manufacturing remained, but were up-dated ification; completing an Architectural Home transfer measurements to materials to construct Continued on Page 9

Finding a Signal Continued from Page 1
teens exist in a decidedly encyclopedia-free the time. It can also happen in a jungle.
society, a world of hyperconnectivity, one “We interacted in such an authentic, out-
where answers – and stressors – live at their of-the-box manner,” says Weaver. “There
fingertips. One click, one swipe, one conver- were no technology distractions, no one hurry-
sation with Siri and they have what they need, ing off to show everyone in the world what we
instant gratification, no pulling the “M” ency- were doing. We were just doing. We laughed.
clopedia and flipping to “monkey” required. We played games. We researched. We were in
At Pacuare, however, this changed: there the moment in Costa Rica, and we were all in
were no cell phones allowed. awe together.”
Life slowed down in the jungle. Students
hiked and recorded data on clipboards. They
noticed things, expertly identifying hole-rid-
den vegetation feasted on by leafcutter ants.
They looked up, marveling at stars they’d
never noticed before. They rode in a boat
down a crocodile-infested river. They pep-
pered Claudio with questions.
“Interacting with him, someone who has
done so much for conservation, they began to
understand how multidisciplinary this work
really is,” says Weaver. “I can say that, but
when you start hearing the stories, the wins
“Sadly, it’s just not part of our society. our Recently featured on NPR’s popular Here and losses, you start to really get it.”
society thinks treasures are what you find at and Now podcast to discuss Pacuare’s efforts At The Prairie School, one theme rises
the mall or get on Amazon. Those are our trea- to safeguard sea turtles, Quesad is a global above all other — community. The school is
sures. At Pacuare, they have a very different expert on several different species. a place where every student is known, valued,
definition.” “Claudio inspired our kids so much,” supported, and challenged, where everyone
The crash course in preservation was says Weaver. “he was a walking encyclope- strives to be their best self, where focus is
provided by Claudio Quesad, the Reserve’s dia.” given to the building and nurturing of rela- www.prairieschool.com
Research and Conservation Coordinator. This metaphor is important. Today’s tionships. This happens in the classroom all