On a side note, we are at the same time still running the 3D printer and loaning out iPads for classwork. Whew! "They've" said we're the "flagship" of the Maker movement for the district. While that's great, I wish there were more support from the District. Not just "attaboys" which come from UNCG folk, but genuine interest. There's talk that they want to put a grant together, but from the lack of buy-in from District, I can't see why or how or who will be involved.... Thanks for letting me express my misgivings here.
Anxiously looking forward to this week in the Makerspace as we have three different subjects taking advantage of the learning opportunities available. It starts on Wednesday with 6th Grade Social Studies coming in to work on Early Civilization projects using a mixture of no to high tech to demonstrate learning. From topographical maps made from clay to sharing information using the dry erase table tops and Aurasma, it will be busy and exciting. Click HERE for a look at their projects plans. Too, on Wednesday, 8th grade Science will begin working on Renewable Energy projects. 1/2 half at a time. I've got to separate "stuff" for them to use in their rooms since 6th grade will have Makerspace space.Science will be using cardboard & junk working in teams to build a demonstration of renewable energy. Finally 7th grade will be coming in on Friday - just one period, to create Bio Bottle Dolls. Mr. Walsh has one class that will do them onsite rather than outside of class. Looking forward to seeing them in action. Sage, (UNCG) has brought lots of plastic bottles of all sizes, (good thing because 6th will be making a mini fashion show with bottle dolls of the Incan/Mayan/Aztec societies!). We're having to juggle who's in the Makerspace when and who's helping/lending a hand. I've got classes on Tuesday & Thursday, so part will go into the Media Center with Ms. Webb on Thursday to help Mrs. Menten with supervision and guidance. It's going to be VERY busy!! - And, here's hoping on Friday when our District Superintendent of schools, Dr. Emory comes to visit KMS, we will be in full maker mode!
On a side note, we are at the same time still running the 3D printer and loaning out iPads for classwork. Whew! "They've" said we're the "flagship" of the Maker movement for the district. While that's great, I wish there were more support from the District. Not just "attaboys" which come from UNCG folk, but genuine interest. There's talk that they want to put a grant together, but from the lack of buy-in from District, I can't see why or how or who will be involved.... Thanks for letting me express my misgivings here.
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Where did the time go? I was so proud of my posting flurry back in February only to turn around and discover it was mid March! To my defense, I did have NCTIES to plan and attend. The Makerspace area in the Mezzanine of NCTIES was awesome! Lots of passersby. Our three schools; Southeast Middle, East Forsyth High and KMS did a superb job of displaying our work and explaining it to interested conference goers. Even had fun flying my new personal drone the Parrot Mini - great, great control!
Mason got a 3Doodler for Christmas and brought it in to let me give it a try - not an easy feat, but very cool and artistic!
So back in the summer, I came across a Mattel Speedometry offer. Not sure if it was on Twitter, my favorite professional development social group, or through surfing the net - whatever. Here's what was offered: You can see, we really didn't meet the requirements not having 4th graders, but I remember pleading my case that we had this new Makerspace and this Spedometry set would be such a great addition... And it arrived a couple of days ago!! - I've talked with 8th grade Math who say Rise over Run, and 7th grade Science Forces of Motion - All because I filled out the form.. And waited and forgot about it!
Mr. Walsh's 7th grade ELA classes experienced Minecraft.edu this week by facing the Yukon based on To Build A Fire by Jack London. Mike, (UNCG) created an awesome Minecraft.edu world including a glassed in spawning room with a teleporter to take the students to their different locations. Once there, the partners were charged with building a dwelling/shelter that would alter the way the story ended - with the protagonist dying. A few minor glitches - needing to turn on show all transports, the mice not working once Minecraft.edu was running. All of the mced folders on the user420 log in gone so I had to re-install the folder from the Shared Drive... Mr. Walsh was very pleased with the outcome. So much so that as he made his rounds to ask "schooly-school" questions, it became evident that there was no need - all students were "getting it"! Tomorrow, the students will get the opportunity to complete their dwelling, journal two times using the Book & Quill, name their building and help build a goldmine. I learned how to build a beacon! And I loved the way we could make the snow fall /weather rain in the text chat. Pics below!
I do.. That's who! With all the time and focus I give to growing the Makerspace mentality, sometimes it's so inspiring I need to try some of it for myself. Like when I created the lid to the coffee tin over holiday break, or like this weekend. I've been 3D printing some designs that students in Ms. Parker's technology class have created. I had to finish the 50+ designs our Genius Hour students created first so I brought the Forge Creator Pro, (that's still only using 1 extruder because I'm too chicken to disassemble the whole extruder mount to clear the right extruder out) home to do Ms. Parker's batch. Well, a good 5 years ago, I stopped by the Coldwater Creek outlet up 77 north and bought a great white no iron shirt - class all the way. I haven't been able to wear it because several buttons had come off and try as I might, I've not been able to find the right size... (you know where I'm going with this, don't you?) I designed and printed 5 new white buttons. Yep. Very cool.
6th Grade teacher, Mr. Boyer and his student teacher Ms. Loy launched a 2-day probe design and assembly lesson in the Makerspace yesterday. After reading through the parameters and giving suggestions, all four of Mr. Boyers' classes dug through our junk boxes, our cardboard stacks, our supply cupboards and our leftover computer parts to build a probe with the following requirements: Ability to move in some way Must be compatible with your planet. (Ex. If you have a gas planet you should NOT be building a landing probe) A source of power compatible with your planet. (Ex. If you planet does not get a lot of light, you will need something other than solar power) A heat shield of some form A landing/floating/flying mechanism A transmission antenna A camera for pictures and possibly video Two instruments of your choosing that will help you complete research on your planet. It's tough to keep up with documentation when you're on the fast track busy. We've been very active in the Makerspace. We have a total of 16 iPads now. Our EC teachers, (especially) Ms. Wood are finding phenomenal new apps and sites to benefit students. Just yesterday, Ms Wood stopped by to ask if we could install a voice recorder so she could do reading fluency. When she finished, she was so excited! All of her students were able to do the activity at one time. She was able to have them do multiple "takes" and she was able to listen and evaluate each file in a quiet, focused environment giving her students the optimal feedback. She was called a "show off" and she is - a rock star show off! I tell you this story because the iPads she is using, other than the 1 she wrote a grant for, are part of our UNCG funded Makerspace.
Chris Goodson from Gaston County Schools gave our 8th graders the time of the classroom lives this past Wednesday and Thursday when they learned more about life in the trenches during World War 1. Chris gave us his fantastic Minecraft world to allow us the opportunity to introduce the war environment to our 8th grade Social Studies classes. Highlights included a game of "capture the flag/destroy the other army's headquarters", and building additions to the site including a hospital, POW camp, Officers' quarters, a weapons' depot. Thanks to Mike, (UNCG) and our 8th grade Social Studies Teachers, Mr. Luthi & Mr. Thornton, our students have a different perspective of just how dispensable soldiers were, how war was waiting... fighting... waiting.... Thanks, Chris!
What a great time! We held our first community event on 1/30 from 9 until noon - and it was tough to stop at noon! We had three students, two parents, Sage, (UNCG), myself, Dr. Helms, (Principal here at KMS) and Barbara Wheeler, a community creative personality. Barb brought some pre-made necklaces, (out of ethernet cable), and a bracelet design to die for - you've heard of the Bourbon and Bowties designs? Well, KMS Makerspace has its own style! (See pics below). We spent the morning tearing into CPUs, popping keys off keyboards, hammering, using the drill and dremel, glueing, and enjoying Pandora music. We all decided we wanted to "do it again!" so we've scheduled another Bling! In the Makerspace on Feb. 27. Looking forward to it! Take a look at the variety of things we created! |
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March 2016
KMS MAKERSPACECreated through the generosity and affiliation with UNCG and its Transforming Teaching Through Technology Grant, (T4), Our KMS Makerspace will offer our students creative ways to design, experiment, build and invent as they deeply engage in learning at Kernersville Middle School. Categories |