Technology use is ubiquitous throughout  South Effingham Middle School. All content areas, including connection classes, grade levels, and STEA2M extension blocks use a wide variety of technology resources that provide students with the opportunity to show mastery of classroom standards by creating digital products. 

SEMS students can identify and use technology of their choosing to create solutions to solve engineering design problems, investigate answers to questions, and show their knowledge of content. Students can articulate how the use of technology was necessary to not only master the content standards but to communicate what they have learned. Students can demonstrate their understanding and use of computer science core concepts. 

SEMS has created an environment conducive to creativity and technology resource use by transforming the Media Center or Library into The Learning Commons area where students can engage in Makerspace activities, research STEA2M  concepts, and communicate and collaborate with peers while working on various STEA2M  projects and activities.

Teachers have received professional development through a partnership with Discovery Education. Discovery Education is a leading provider of digital educational content, and its professional development programs can help teachers learn how to communicate effectively about STEM using oral, written, and visual representation.

Teachers have received professional development opportunities on many technology resources such as Discovery Education, which is a leading provider of digital educational content, its professional development programs can help teachers learn how to communicate effectively about STEM using oral, written, and visual representation, Canva, The Stock Market Game, Sketchbook pro, Sumopaint, Method draw, Pixlr, Stop Motion App, Yahoo Finance, Padlet, Jamboard, and many more. 

Teachers and students have access to an abundance of technology resources.  

6th Grade

7th Grade

7th-grade Social Studies using the Stock Market Game, Yahoo Finance, and Market Watch to prepare for their PBL.

Students in 7th grade are solving the problem, “How can a comparison of sustainable agriculture stocks inspire us to design a productive and environmentally responsible farm that contributes to the well-being of our community. “  They started by researching and comparing sustainable agriculture stocks while looking at companies that are known for their environmentally responsible practices, such as organic farming, reduced pesticide use, and sustainable resource management. This allowed them to explore stocks for this project before introducing the Stock Market Game that the students will participate in for several months during their social studies class every day for a small amount of time.  

8th Grade

8th-grade Science allowed students to show their content mastery of the unit with a Choice Anchor Activity Project. 

Students were required to choose between 14 different options and were encouraged to use any type of technology, such as Canva, Google Docs/Drawings, Quizizz, Prezi, Blookets, Google Forms etc.

Connections