Mini-Grant Application for School Year 2021-2022

Submitted by: Rebekka Stasny Email: stasnyr@rowlettmiddleacademy.org Grade Level: 6-8 Subject: Science
Co-Applicant: Email: Grade level: Subject:

School: ROWLETT MIDDLE ACADEMY Type: Charter Grade Levels:6-8 County:Manatee

Approx. Enrollment: 670 Number of teachers:35

School Address:

400 30th AVE W
Bradenton, Florida 34209

Phone: 941-462-4001 Principal:Jamara Clark Email: clarkj@rowlettmiddleacademy.org

Facebook: Rowlett Middle Academy
Twitter:

Project Title: Creating EngRAVING Fans
Project Dates: Jan 1, 2022-May 2022 Grade Levels:

Focus Area(s) :Science- STEAM- Makerspace - Literacy

Abstract:
The past year and a half has been crazy! Schools were shut down, students and teachers were required to social distance, we had to adjust to in person, hybrid and virtual learning - sometimes simultaneously and the worst part, hands on activities all but stopped completely. Now that we are adjusting to the new “normal” it is time for students to get back to learning, inventing and creating and preparing for the world outside of the classroom. I am requesting funding for a GlowForge 3D Laser Printer - a countertop 3D Laser printer that can cut, engrave, and create designs from materials such as wood, cardboard and paper . This machine will allow my students to be able to design and cut class materials and manipulatives they otherwise would not have access to - why buy it when you can make it? This tool will provide students hands-on opportunities to explore graphic design, creating, cutting and making, while learning science content and real-word applications through their creations. Students will be able to see their ideas come to life. Hands-on learning in Maker Spaces have been shown to foster growth mindset by allowing students to embrace and persevere through challenges, see their efforts as a path to mastery, and find inspiration in others. This growth mindset leads to motivation in students — giving them the opportunity to independently explore their interests, think critically and make connections to what they are learning in class to what is happening in the outside world. In a time that so much has been taken away from my students, it is time for them to be given the opportunity to take their learning back and create EngRAVING fans - Students moving from questioning to creation.

Proposal:

How is your project innovative?   (25 points)
I teach at public charter school that focuses on the integration of arts, communication and leadership skills to ensure the success for all of our students while preparing them for life outside the classroom. Throughout my science lessons, I incorporate the arts through song, dance, music and art. I would like to continue incorporating our school's magnet theme into my classroom by infusing more STEAM activities into my lessons. Having innovative tools such as the GlowForge 3D laser printer provides me the opportunity to increase student's exposure to advancements in technology and engineering while providing them the opportunity to think creatively. In my classroom Maker Space, students will be able to create science models, sculptures, games, and toys and more — what students make will only be limited by their imagination and creativity. Students will post their designs on our classroom and school webpages. Through class discussions and completed products I will be able to assess student learning. This project will foster discovery and will encourage students to think critically about how 2D objects translate into 3D objects.

How will it fit into your curriculum (include standards)? (10 points)
This project will encourage class discussions, creative and critical thinking skills and application of student learning to solve real world problems. The following Florida Science Standards will be supported through this project: SC.7.N.1.1 Define a problem from the seventh grade curriculum, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigation of various types, such as systematic observations or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions. SC.7.N.1.5 Describe the methods used in the pursuit of a scientific explanation as seen in different fields of science such as biology, geology, and physics. SC.7.N.3.2 Identify the benefits and limitations of the use of scientific models.

How will it encourage long-lasting change in your classroom, school or community? (20 points)
This project embraces the 5C's of 21st century learners - communication, collaboration, critical thinking, citizenship and creativity and will encourage students to move beyond the basics will make learning come to life and emulate what the world will be like when my students are out of school. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with others while they are creating their designs, they will utilize critical thinking skills and communication while working through problems and the creative process and they will utilize their citizenship skills when they participate in the school-wide STEAM night and when they share their creations. This project will also span past the walls of my classroom by allowing students to collaborate and create for Arts classes by designing costumes and props, create games for ELA and math and recreate maps they are studying in their Social Studies classes.

How will technology be utilized?  (20 points)
Having a Glowforge 3D laser Printer in the classroom will be a game changer. The Glowforge 3D laser printer is more than a fancy tool for making - it is an instrument critical in teaching innovation, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity skills in my science class. We will no longer have to rely on classroom materials and models that can be purchased, instead students will be able to create their own. Through the use of the Glowforge in our class, students will embrace the 5C's of 21st century learners - communication, collaboration, critical thinking, citizenship and creativity and will encourage students to move beyond the basics will make learning come to life and emulate what the world will be like when my students are out of school. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with others while they are creating their designs, they will utilize critical thinking skills and communication while working through problems and the creative process and they will utilize their citizenship skills when they participate in the school-wide STEAM night and when they share their creations. This project will also span past the walls of my classroom by allowing students to collaborate and create for Arts classes by designing costumes and props, create games for ELA and math and recreate maps they are studying in their Social Studies classes - the possibilities are endless.

What evidence will you collect to show student gain?   (10 points)
Through pre- and post-assessments, class discussions and completed reflections, I will assess what students know about making and creating. Students will brainstorm, conduct research and then participate in hands-on applications, which in turn will establish deeper critical thinking by allowing students to become engineers, architects, and designers through hands-on application of the GlowForge 3D Laser Printer. Throughout the project, students will log their learning in both journal entries and sketches, which will help with their literacy skills. Students will also write reflections based on 3 questions - What did you accomplish? What did you learn? How did it make you feel? I plan to measure student success by reviewing student journals and hosting class discussions to see where students were successful in their designs and where they had difficulties. Through a variety of summative and formative assessments I will monitor student learning and will adjust lessons to ensure student mastery of project objectives. I would like to have 70% of my students complete some sort of Maker Project (of their choosing) that ties into one of the standards covered in class.

How will participants share your project results with the community?  (15 points)
Student designs will be displayed online for the entire school and community to view and hopefully encourage more students to become producers, makers, inventors, tinkerers, creators, artisans and engineers. We have a school webpage, facebook account and morning news broadcast (which can be viewed on Youtube) where student projects can be showcased. In order to encourage long-lasting changes to my school, we are working to create a school-wide STEAM night where students would be able to participate in a variety of Maker Space activities with their families and show what they created with the Glowforge 3D Laser Printer. In collaboration with the Arts teachers, any projects that have an Arts focus can be showcased at our band, orchestra and chorus concerts as well as during our visual arts open house.

Budget:

I, Rebekka Stasny, certify that the application is complete and final, AND I verify that I have received permission to apply for these funds from Jamara Clark,the Principal of ROWLETT MIDDLE ACADEMY and any other individuals required by my school district.

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