2014 Award Winners

Plant One on Me: An Organically Designed Bandage and Multimedia Project

Grades 9-10 - John Ryan and Natalie Smith - Bethel High School, Bethel, CT

Tenth grade students participate in a year-long innovative science, technology and writing program where they create a product that identifies and addresses a real environmental, social or scientific problem. The students selected the issue of latex allergies. They developed organically designed bandages made from flower petals. The class divided into teams. The teams worked on separate components of the project, then synthesized the results into a cohesive final presentation. One group (researchers) gathered information and data to integrate science concepts. They used well-developed information and literacy skills. The second group (digital media) designed a multi-media presentation using sophisticated software programs to create 3D images and a short movie to showcase the purpose for the project. The third team synthesized all of the information on a website that detailed, explained and demonstrated their solution and results.

Tech-Sperts

Grades 4-5 - Kathryn Wakefield - Thalberg Elementary School - Southington, CT

Our Tech-sperts program began when the community recognized students are our most valuable resources. To date, 35 intermediate students have participated. They accomplished growth by volunteering, working on individual and group projects, and becoming our “beta testers.” We have created the ability to pilot new technologies we wish to integrate, but on a small scale where risks are few and teachers can train with practical experience. Our first projects included the formation of online resources for our school community and provided computer lab volunteers. Tech-sperts supports CCSS and STEM education in our school. With the inclusion of robotics and coding, Tech-sperts raises our students’ awareness of STEM occupations. Varied program initiatives helped our students develop teamwork, problem-solving, and self-management skills. The program stimulates our student interest in “wanting to” rather than “having to” take further STEM related courses. Tech-sperts created a connection between in-school and out-of-school learning opportunities.

Coding and Collaboration

Grades 3-8 - Eric Carson, Ingrid Ellinger-Doviak, Stephanie Swan and Carol May - Village School and Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School - Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) - New Haven, CT

Using a project-based learning model for a computer science enrichment course, middle school students were taught to operate like a software company and design video games for students with special needs. In order to be successful, a software company must be proficient in the technical aspects of software design, the interpersonal aspects of understanding and anticipating customer needs, and the business aspects of marketing and releasing products. We recognize these real-world skills as ISTE standards put into practice and challenged our students to become authentic software designers and practitioners of computational thinking. This project required collaboration across two different schools; teachers, principals, and the students themselves. The outcomes included student-created educational games that are available to play online, an increase in technical skill with computer programming concepts (using the Scratch programming language), and the formation of relationships between groups of students from two different settings.