My students can already do wonderful things using technology. In the next year, I want to push them further by giving them projects that focus on developing their creativity, perseverance, teamwork, troubleshooting, and independence.
Our technology program serves over 500 enthusiastic students in grades K-5.
Our students come to school from a diverse range of backgrounds and levels of experience with computers and technology.
Our school has long had a traditional computer lab, but as we think about the crucial skills necessary to prepare our students for the future, it is clear that we need to be engaging them in engineering and design projects that will span STEAM topics and challenge them to tackle real world problems. It is increasingly important to create meaningful opportunities to integrate technology into their creative process and approach to problem-solving.
My Project
One of the highlights of our Technology curriculum is our 4th and 5th graders' work in 3D modeling. While this work is exciting for them, it is just an abstract, digital project. They create all sorts of amazing creations and inventions, but never get to see those projects as anything other than models on the screen.
I want to be able to build on this digital learning by giving students the opportunity to bring their creations to life in physical form.
These printers will give students the opportunity to expand their design work by allowing them to test and troubleshoot their ideas in the real world. This will not only inspire their learning, but help them to develop skills with a host of real-world applications.
Having two of these devices will allow us to produce models much faster, as well as expand our focus and begin finding ways for younger students to engage in the design and fabrication process.
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