Mini-Grant Application for School Year 2016-17

Submitted by: David Lockett Email: david.lockett@lwcharterschools.net Grade Level: 6,7,8 Subject: Math, Science, Technology, Rea
Co-Applicant:Jennferi Byrd Email: Jennifer.Byrd@lwcharterschoolsGrade level: 6,7,8 Subject: Technology, IT, Code

School: Bok Academy Type: Charter Grade Levels:6,7,8 County:Polk

Approx. Enrollment: 600 Number of teachers:33 % of Free and Reduced Lunch:45

School Address:

Bok Academy 13901 HWY 27 Lake Wales, FL33859

Phone: 863-638-1010 Principal:Damien Moses Email: Damian.Moses@lwcharterschools.

Project Title: Bridging the Digital Divide with Tangible Computing
Project Dates: Dec. 2017-May 2017 Grade Levels:

Focus Area(s) :STEM- 21st Century Learning - Educational Technology - Project Based Learning

Abstract:
Bridging the Digital Divide with Tangible Computing is an innovative project that will last year round. The goal of this project is to put new and cutting-edge KANO computational devices in the hands of students. These tools will allow the students to build tangible and ubiquitous computing applications that will find genuine utility in the communities that surround the school. We will also be crafting the KANO technology platforms for students in preceding and upcoming classes. New insights will be gained on how to develop kits for young designers and how to design and evaluate 21st century computational applications. This project will also suggest new ways to engage the student community in building and using the digital information infrastructure.

Proposal:
1. This project will support all students and teachers with supplies needed to enhance planned KANO educational computing activities. Students who complete the Code/IT program in middle school will go to high school having a better understanding for higher level Code/IT courses. It is an attempt to introduce students to STEM career pathways early in life to encourage them to continue their interest through high school and into college. This project is a proposal to use the STEM/IT platform and process for solving real world problems. The “Bridging the Digital Divide with Tangible Computing” project aims to emphasize the application to an everyday need in our schools and community. In order to do this, we are asking for KANO equipment and supplies to fuel this process. 2. The project will support the IT/STEM class curriculum to support units on code, stimulate ongoing interest in technology, and provide practical learning for educational computing. Using technology to expand STEM concepts and experiences will further bridge the digital divide. This creative computing will lead to an increased interest in STEM related careers. The standards that these lessons align to are: 06.0 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships among technologies and the connection between technology and other fields of study. 10.0 Demonstrate an understanding of the influence of technology on history. 13.0 Demonstrate an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem solving. 15.0 Demonstrate the abilities to use and maintain technological products and systems. 16.0 Demonstrate the abilities to assess the impact of products and systems. 3. This project aims for long lasting change by the creation of smart KANO computing that will provide a solution for a real world problem (one that is actual and problematic in contemporary life). Bok Academy STEM students will form teams and research a particular problem that perhaps could be solved with the use of a “smart” computer application. While pursuing the proposed solution, these students will be applying STEM methods of integrating multiple disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) toward that goal. Integrating the engineering design model, students will brainstorm possibilities, design & build KANO kits from a prototype design, build a prototype, test, re­design and rebuild that prototype toward a solution. Each team will record plans, progress, successes and failures using Google Docs. These digital notebooks will be used (along with the individual pre/post survey) as an evaluating tool for the ongoing projects. 4. KANO technology has a major STEM emphasis (the interrelated study of Science Technology Engineering and Math). At Bok Academy, the Exploratory Wheel STEM/IT classes are used to investigate our world. Bridging the technology divide will give students an experiential learning experience through integrated curriculum activities that incorporate various inter related subject areas. They can make connections to real world events which creates a unique learning experience. Our projects are project based and have students solving complex problems. 5. We will assess the achievements and gains of the program through the use of evaluative tools. The basic tool for assessment will consist of a pre/post individual student Google DOC survey covering materials and methods used in the KANO project. A self evaluation section will electronically use the Know, Want to know, and Learned format as part of this evaluation. Second, students will use interactive Engineering Design Notebooks to evaluate the progress of the team throughout the project. 6. We will build capacity and sustainability by designing a program that can be repeated and improved each year with a new set of students. As the KANO projects conclude and the students dismantle their project prototypes, the KANO kits and parts will be stored for use again next year. From a community standpoint, we will share project assembly with students, teachers, schools, and the local community on school web site, social media outlets, and various news outlets. We will also share lesson plans, curriculum modifications, and student projects within various professional learning networks. This will in turn spark renewed interest in IT/STEM project and the importance of 21st Century learning.

Budget:

I, David Lockett, certify that the application is complete and final, AND I verify that I have received permission to apply for these funds from Damien Moses ,the Principal of Bok Academy and any other individuals required by my school district.