Every day is a challenge and a miracle. The goal is to reunite students with their friends, families, and classmates. My biggest challenge teaching at this site is to keep the students engaged and optimistic with the curriculum while they are distracted by physical pain and emotional distress.
I work for NYC Hospital Schools which supports teachers in 38 NYC Hospitals.
My hospital is in NYC but services students from all 5 boroughs as well as out of state and international students. My students range in age from 4-21 years. They are currently hospitalized as a result of brain injury, cancer, surgical interventions, stroke, and accidents. My students are a wonderful group of children who want to learn, but have many obstacles in their way. They often have a limited frame of reference. I am trying to make the experience of “school” as enjoyable as possible. Many of my students have long and short term memory delays. The children are hospitalized for rehabilitation. My students are warriors. Each day is a struggle. Relearning daily life skills, as well as gross and fine motor skills, is often painful and exhausting. My students want to return to their families, friends, and schools much like they were prior to their hospitalization.
My Project
With the requested KNEX Education Sets, the students will be able to experience the hands-on excitement of roller coaster design, explore topics such as acceleration, force, work, momentum, projectile motion, and centrifugal force. Students will be able to build 11 models, 2 of which are roller coasters. Up to 8 students can work together to build 2 large models simultaneously. These sets are compatible with data-logging sensors. The STEM Explorations set is designed for students to investigate a variety of concepts related to science, technology, engineering, and math. The modules are hands-on, cooperative activities that provide stimulating inquiry and problem solving through design. Students use programming, construction techniques, and set materials to help them understand how to program and operate computer-controlled devices. What makes this so exciting is that the students will become engaged in their learning.
Funding this project will make school a joyful place to learn.
Students are in pain relearning simple movement and self care skills. Mobility is difficult for students as they learn to adapt to new prosthetics and physical and occupation aids to help them with their post surgical adjustment. Using Robotics and Science as a way to teach STEM subjects presents the opportunity to teach the students how they will benefit from their new wheelchairs, walkers, and prosthetics. Science Rocks!!!
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