Friday, September 26, 2014

Welcome Back to Our Blog!


We are looking forward to another exciting year of STEAM in the Paterson Public Schools.  William Paterson University is now “STEAM-ing forward” in five schools in the district:  
School 2, School 7, the School of Government & Public Administration (GOPA,) the School of Information Technology (SOIT,) and, newly added this year, the School of Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism (CAHTS.) 

Below are some highlights from last year.


School of Government and the School of Information Technology:  
Making Art with Computers

     Last year a major goal of the grant was to stress the “T” in STEAM.  The two schools partnered with the WPU College of Art and Communications Center for New Art, which focuses on using technology to create art through the use of contemporary digital tools, to 3D modeling and printing.  A three-part unit saw WPU Professor Rees and his graduate students first addressing GOPA and SOIT students on this theme, and subsequently demonstrating how a hand-held scanner can generate computer files from which 3D images can be “printed.”

Above Photo:
On the WPU website main page, Professor Michael Rees and Graduate Student Tyler Zeleny observe the creation of the 3D printed head of a Paterson student.
 

School 2:  
Learning about Dinosaurs in Grades 1 and 2

     The unit began with a series of lessons in which students created dinosaur fossils out of clay and plaster, recreated a dinosaur “dig” in their classrooms, and built 3D models of dinosaurs out of clay, cardboard, and paint.  English Language Arts skills (e.g., word walls of relevant vocabulary such as dinosaur names, extinction, carnivore, herbivore) and math skills (estimation of size, creation of bar graphs of length of dinosaurs) were stressed. The unit continued with approximately 140 students and staff participating in a field trip to Field Station Dinosaurs in Secaucus, NJ, where they applied their learning.  By the conclusion of the unit, students could identify and describe the characteristics of common dinosaurs, including size, behavior, and food sources.  They also explain how information on dinosaurs has been discovered and give possible reasons for their extinction.

Above Photo: 
Students enter the Field Station Dinosaur Park.


Above Photo:
Students pass by a life-size, animatronic Apatousaurus


 Above Photo: 
Students participate in a learning activity about Tyrannosaurus rex.



School 7:  
Creativity Night!

     At the end of the 2012-2013 school year School 7 chose as its theme, “Designing for Creativity,” and as one of its goals for 2013-2014 to include all students in STEAM activities. Near the end of the school year (May 15, 2014) a Creativity Fair was held.  This evening event showcased the creative and innovative work of the year for all stakeholders (students, staff and parents.)

Above Photo:
Students at School 7 admire a 6th grade project entitled “Kingdoms,” in which the students researched and created a phylogenetic tree.

 
 Above Photo:
8th grade students researched the structure and function of plant and animal cells, and depicted those cells through the medium of watercolor painting.







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