The MAISD/REMC 4 Discovery Center is supported by the MAISD, the REMC Association, and REMC membership fees. Any teachers from REMC 4 member schools is eligible to borrow items from the Discovery Center for use in their school. Items are not available for outside groups (church groups, scouts, clubs...) The MAISD/REMC 4 Technology Teachers Group makes recommendations for items to purchase for the Discovery Center.
Items are available to borrow so a teacher does not need to purchase these items which may only be needed for a few weeks a year. The teacher needs to be flexible items may not be available on their first choice of dates.
Items are available so they can be evaluated before purchase. You may want to purchase items used by multiple teachers or that you expect to be available without concern that it may not be available because another teacher is borrowing it.
Items are available to introduce new resources to support learning that teachers may not even know is available.
Start by looking through the list of resources on this website. Pay attention to how many are available, listed at the top of each page. Most items ave enough so an entire class can be involved with an activity at the same time, with students working in partners or small groups. Consider how the the resource will be used to support your curriculum and learning goals and how many days it will be needed.
Check to see if an item you plan to request is available by looking at the Discovery Center Checkout calendar http://bit.ly/makercalendar. You should be sure an item is available before you submit a request. Tips: when viewing the calendar, click the "+" in the lower right corner to add the calendar as an "Other Calendar" in your Calendar app - making it easy to find when it's needed. This calendar is also available on this page on the website.
Make your request by completing the Discovery Center Checkout Form - you will receive an email copy of your request and when entered into the Google Calendar, a calendar invite
You may borrow a single item kit or multiple item kits at the same time. You may checkout only a portion of a kit if you don't need all the items.
It is your responsibility to pick up and return items you borrow in a condition ready for another teacher to borrow the item. Arrangements need to be made in advance with Andy Mann, to coordinate pick up/return of items.
If an item is damaged through normal use, we will repair the item at our expense (we have a budget for repairs.) However if an item is damaged though misuse, we will ask you to cover the cost of the repair. Contact Andy Mann immediately if an item is found to be damaged before use, or if it's damaged during use.
The equipment must be locked in a safe location in your school when not in use. You are responsible for replacing any items which may be lost or stolen.
If you don't know how to use or integrate an item - arrange time with Andy Mann to properly learn how to use and integrate.
At each of the MAISD/REMC 4 Tech Teacher Group meetings, a portion of each meeting is centered around integrating items from the Discovery Center.