Maker Accelerator:
Future ready students. Future ready teachers.
Maker Accelerator:
Future ready students. Future ready teachers.
Embedded Files
Future ready students. Future ready teachers.
Goals:
Highlight, illustrate, and leverage the value of the natural overlap between maker-centered learning and the IB Program.
Develop classroom environments that foster innovative teaching and learning.
Prepare students for the challenges and opportunities in an ever-changing, complex world.
Key Features:
Reopening of the i.lab for Design + Making in support of grade level and community projects.
Grades K - 3: focuses on developing a maker (ie growth) mindset and learning fundamental skills.
Grades 4 - 5: explores specific methodologies of making, including programming and fabrication.
Grades 6 - 8: dedicated to the mastery of skills, frameworks, and practices.
Individualized teacher support to deepen understanding around the purpose and benefits of innovative teaching and learning.
Timeline:
Summer 2021:
Reorganize and prepare the makerspace, its tools, materials, and equipment.
Begin mapping maker-centered learning skills and practices to the IB Program.
Develop working document for a teacher support framework to be shared with an Innovation Committee (see below).
Fall 2021:
Form an Innovation Committee consisting of teacher leaders and the Innovation Department to collaboratively create a framework for empowering and supporting teachers.
Facilitate professional learning workshops aligned with Innovation Committee goals.
Continue to develop the framework for implementing individualized teacher support approach.
Spring 2022:
Begin implementation of the Innovation Committee's teacher support framework.
Facilitate professional learning workshop series aligned with Innovation Committee goals.
Evaluate support framework, gather feedback, and determine next steps.
i.lab for Design + Making
i.lab for Design + Making
Campus Innovation Hub
Campus Innovation Hub
Purpose:
Facilitates PYP and MYP classroom activities and projects.
Develop and fabricate tools, materials, and frameworks for the campus.
Fabrication lab for the school community.
Provides individual project support for all staff, students, and school families.
As a learning lab: modeling maker-centered, innovative teaching practices.
Hosts MIS community building events like Open Make and Family Innovation Nights.
Assists Advancement and Admissions: parent info sessions, tours, marketing, and other events.
Assists PYP Exhibition and MYP community service groups.
MIS Innovation in the Classroom
MIS Innovation in the Classroom
Purpose:
A common obstacle faced by PYP and MYP teachers alike is the need set aside additional time to "skill up" their students before beginning a project. For example, learning a new tool or framework (like design thinking or laser cutting) can add several extra, time consuming sessions of i.lab visits.
With Maker Accelerator, Innovation in classrooms would dedicate time to develop these skills and frameworks before they're needed for a project. This would afford teachers - and their students- much more time to focus on the project at hand.
K-3, Theme: Mindset
K-3, Theme: Mindset
Format:
Weekly 40 minute session in the classroom and/or makerspace as needed.
Focused on maker-centered learning experiences and skill building to develop a "maker mindset."
Facilitated by Sophia and collaboratively planned with Patrick to align with campus innovation goals.
4th-5th, Theme: Methodology
4th-5th, Theme: Methodology
Format:
Weekly 40 minute sessions in the classroom and/or makerspace as needed.
Deeper dive into mindset making, design thinking, and maker-centered learning (digital fabrication, programming, electronics).
Facilitated by Sophia and collaboratively planned with Patrick to align with campus innovation goals.
6th-8th, Theme: Mastery
6th-8th, Theme: Mastery
Format:
Regular sessions in classroom and/or makerspace as needed.
Intensive exploration of maker-centered topics including design thinking, programming, electronics, and digital fabrication.
Facilitated by Carlos and collaboratively planned with Patrick and input from Laura to align with campus innovation goals.
Innovative Teaching & Learning
Innovative Teaching & Learning
Faculty + Staff Workshops
Faculty + Staff Workshops
Purpose:
Topics for teacher in-service days communicate school priorities and values.
Workshops provide context for the various Innovation principles and frameworks that will be explored during the school year.
Staff participation allows for better insights into the value add-of integrating Innovation within the IB Program, which can then be shared with visitors and prospective families.
Format:
Held whenever there is a designated PD event.
Includes PYP and MYP faculty and staff.
By team, grade level, subject area, and/or interest, etc. as needed.
Mandatory "on-boarding" for new hires .
Personalized Teacher Support
Personalized Teacher Support
Purpose:
As a follow-up to workshops, it reinforces innovative frameworks that can amplify teaching practices within the IB context.
An individualized and targeted approach that meets teachers where they are and encourages growth over time.
Format:
To be collaboratively designed and implemented by the new Innovation Committee.
Report abuse