Interview Transcript 1: Steven Diamino, Technology Teacher
Q: What is your role at IS 187 The Christa McAuliffe School? How long have you been teaching at the school?
A: I teach technology elective to 7th and 8th graders in the Academy of Scientific Research. I have been teaching at IS 187 for 15 years.
Q: What do you teach your students in Technology?
A: The technology curriculum ranges based on the grade level. Overall we cover digital literacy, internet safety, coding and programming, multimedia creation, computer hardware and software, cybersecurity, digital communication, and engineering.
Q: Can you explain what your students do during coding and programming AND engineering?
A: I start covering coding and programming with the 7th graders by introducing them to coding concepts and programming languages such as Scratch. The students learn how to create simple programs, understand algorithms, and develop problem-solving skills through coding activities. In the 8th grade students have their basic coding background mainly in block coding and they start learning more intensive programs such as python. Engineering is the main focus for my 8th graders, we are lucky enough to have a flight simulator which they get to use. The flight simulator introduces students to aviation and provides them with hands-on experience in virtual flight environments. Students are introduced and master the flight simulator software; with various controls, screens, and indicators. They use the Provide an overview of the flight simulator software, explaining the various controls, screens, and indicators. They use the joystick, throttle, rudder pedals, and other input devices. This is a crowd favorite.
Q: Have you ever thought of getting other subject teachers involved when you teach coding and programming?
A: Absolutely, when we cover coding I try to reach out to the science teachers to see if we can overlap the curriculum. This past year I collaborated with the Earth Science teacher while she was teaching about the Earth’s crust. Her students were making models of the multiple layers of the Earth in class and the students were able to code through Scratch to vocalize each layer, giving a brief description.
Q: Do you think this collaboration had a positive impact on the students?
A: Oh, yes! The students were excited to go to each of our classes, thinking outside of the box and collaborating. They would pass me in the hallway and stop in to tell me about their new idea they wanted to add to their code based on the new information they learned in class that day. I think it’s important to see how subjects can collide and work hand in hand with each other - since the real word is all about collaboration.
Q: Do you plan on collaborating with other subject areas?
A: I would love to collaborate with other teachers, but sometimes curriculum and time gets in the way. Unfortunately the main subjects are on a strict schedule with their curriculum that they cannot extend time on lengthy projects.
Thank you so much Mr. Diamino! Hopefully next year we can collaborate on a Life Science topic!