By using problems identified in children's literature, students are given opportunities to create tangible solutions to solve problems presented in some of their favorite stories. Children identify the problem, consider how the problem could be solved, ponder what they could make to solve the problem, plan and build a solution. Next, they test their solutions to determine whether or not their creations meet the needs of the problem. Students are encouraged to seek multiple solutions to promote the understanding that there is more than one working solution. As a closure activity, students revisit the story to compare their solutions with the one provided in the literature. This circular process integrates math, science and technology in a hands-on learning approach. Meeting countless standards, children's engineering allows children to become problem solvers of the future by allowing them to practice 21st century problem solving skills in an active and innovative setting.
Classroom Economy is an engaging and hands-on approach to teach the "Economics, Innovation, and Technology" strand of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (6.1.4.C.1-16). Having students engaged in a simulated economic environment allows for a deeper understanding of economic principles. Establishing a classroom economy provides the opportunity to create a cohesive, year-long unit in which the students become active participants and are invested in learning and understanding the concepts presented in class.
LEGO Designs is a robotics program aimed at hands-on technology, engineering, and mathematics and designed to have students working in pairs. Our top seniors are paired with our top seventh-graders and they work together on high-interest activities/challenges in the high school's new, cutting-edge computer lab after school and on Saturdays. The students who we are at risk of losing to one of the magnet high schools come to our high school and get to see one of our top-shelf, brand new facilities. They also develop mentoring-type relationships with seniors who tell them about all that our high school has to offer. Students enrolled, for example, in Advanced Placement mathematics classes serve as the senior mentors since engineering has a direct link to many of the concepts that are studied in such courses; the seventh-graders are selected via an application and accompanying rubric.
The Buddy Class Program is a school-wide social skills building program designed to promote a safe and caring school environment. With the education of the whole child as a focal point, upper elementary-aged classes are "buddied" and the students within these classes are partnered or "buddied" with the the younger-aged elementary classes and students.