Take Apart Day, Trenton Public Schools Meeting, and Upcoming Board of Education Meeting

Happy 2017 Everyone!

Apologies for not posting in a while. A few weeks ago, the Maker Ambassadors had their annual Take Apart Day. On this day, we took apart numerous electronics, ranging from heaters, to PCs, to digital clocks! We had a lot fun meticulously unscrewing and jacking open the electronics. We also learned a lot about how the machines work and how their individual parts allowed them to function as a whole.

We also met teachers from the Trenton Public Schools District a little while after Take Apart Day. CMS NüYü, a Community Problem Solving group that's using mindfulness to tackle stress in our local area, was also there to give an overview of they were doing. We, as Maker Ambassadors, really got to showcase our accomplishments and the powerful message that we're spreading: to empower students to use empathy to solve meaningful design thinking problems. Apologies for no pictures currently. I will post them soon. 


Here are some additional photos from EdCamp from a while ago: 

Stay tuned, as we will have a meeting on the 21st with our local Board of Education. We will be presenting what we do as Maker Ambassadors and our message as well! We will post soon after the meeting. 

EdCamp New Jersey

Edcamp New Jersey was a fun and interesting experience. I got to meet a lot of teachers from all over New Jersey and the surrounding states. This was my first EdCamp, and it really made a good first impression on me. I also go to other professional development days as well to teach teachers. However, I had never experienced a PD day this massive until now. I could literally feel the energetic atmosphere coming from the teachers as they milled around in the cafeteria and in the Makerspace in the gym. As I saw the car plates from New York and Connecticut, I realized how eager the teachers were to come to learn at EdCamp, and how some teachers came from really far away just to learn at Edcamp. I could tell that all of the teachers were really excited about improving their teaching experience and their classrooms as well.
EdCamp is definitely the best professional development day event that I have gone to so far. The event was organized really well, and I got to learn how other teachers teach. All the teachers that I met had different personalities, and that ties into how they teach. I loved this diversity. More importantly, I got to spread the mission and the community engagement and impact that my school's Makerspace has on our local community. It was really nice to be part of a team that is passionate about creating and using the Maker Mindset to help spark innovation and creativity in others.
Overall, EdCamp was really fun. Even though I didn't eat anything in the four or so hours since I was presenting almost all the time, I really enjoyed the time I spent at EdCamp. It was time well spent.
Shoutouts to Dr. MC and Dr. Aderhold for being such great supporters!

Halloween Hack Preparations

The Maker Ambassadors are planning away for the Halloween Hack. Teachers and students, we hope that you will join us and be inspired by the awesome maker activities designed by the students!

Don't forget to register!

Dutch Neck Science Day 2016

A band of Community Middle School Maker Ambassadors facilitated a makerspace for elementary school students on Friday, April 22. They designed the learning experiences for students attending their five sessions and focused on the maker mindset, empathy, creativity, and learning from failure. Great job makers! I am proud of you for sharing your love of innovation and creative talent development with the young makers in our community! 

Maker Fridays

littleBits Tutorial

Halloween Hack 2015

I don't try to explain makerspaces or Maker Faire.  I just get people to come visit and experience them. -Dale Dougherty 

The Maker Ambassadors did an absolutely fantastic job selecting maker projects for our Halloween Hack and sharing them with the entire school. It was a great day of learning and applying our understanding of science to new tasks. We even had a chance to virtually tour Mr. Jarrett's STEM classroom through a Google Hangout and physically hang out with the district's technology resource team.  

Thank you makers, big and small, who came to support the Halloween Hack! 

Halloween Hack 2015

I don't try to explain makerspaces or Maker Faire.  I just get people to come visit and experience them. -Dale Dougherty 

The Maker Ambassadors did an absolutely fantastic job selecting maker projects for our Halloween Hack and sharing them with the entire school. It was a great day of learning and applying our understanding of science to new tasks. We even had a chance to virtually tour Mr. Jarrett's STEM classroom through a Google Hangout and physically hang out with the district's technology resource team.  

Thank you makers, big and small, who came to support the Halloween Hack! 

Halloween Hack 2015

Balloon Jousting Fun

Designing the perfect balloon for jousting. 

Building the balloons. 

Sadly, the result of balloon jousting. 

A Little Spark In the Dark (Ha It Rhymes)

Okkeee.... So this was a while ago... but I HAVE to post it.  Anyways, Dutch Neck was very fun, because we got to share our knowledge with people younger than our age, and the pizza was good... as well as the fun we had.  However... I think The Wizard of Oz (LOLZ) had some serious probs with Tentacle Kitty... AND THAT did not go very well... So anyways... This is a real short paragraph... BUT I HAD FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XDXDXDXDDDDDD :DD

Washington DC Reflection

The trip started with an anxious wait in school, an EXTREMELY long train ride, and the world's longest tour of practically every single monument in the entire District of Columbia. Along the way, we....er....*stole* the monuments (*cough* *cough* Phanishree *cough* *cough*). Then came the awkward dinner, where we poor kids were surrounded by a bunch of adults. The food was great (TIRAMISU), and we got to meet a bunch of people. Fast forward to the next morning. We woke up early, rushed over to the convention center, and ate a quick breakfast, while being stalked by a camera/recorder/wifi thingy. Fast forward another hour. We stood at our booth, explaining the Maker Program and what we do. Since we were the only kids there, we attracted a lot of people to our booth (we were also the only booth with gumdrops and balloons!). It was interesting teaching teachers, and having them listen to us. We also met Daisy Dyer Duerr (Ms. Southern Charm), and spoke with her, though we didn't realize it at the time. Then came the part I was dreading. The interview with Bob Wise. I made Sunny to promise to drag my body off the stage if necessary, rehearsed what I was going to say in my head, and went back stage. I actually got makeup smeared on my face (powder), and was given a microphone to use. Bad idea. I was trembling as I slowly made my up onto the extremely bright stage, and sat down next to Bob Wise. I felt like I was in a dream. I was there, speaking in front of 5000 people, yet I felt like part of me was watching elsewhere. This was probably a good thing, since it prevented me from panicking too much. Now that I think back to the event, I am surprised that I ever got the courage to get up on that excessively large stage, and speak in front of everyone.

Washington Trip Reflection

Let me starting by telling you one of the lesser known sayings of the very known abolitionist Frederick Douglass." A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth of a great nation requires reflection, as well as observation, to appreciate it." Well, I thought I was going to be all formal and quote famous people but I guess this has to come from my soul [I am still filling it back up ; )  by the way this post is going to be filled with inside jokes. So let's get to it. Overall the trip was an extremely educational experience filled with many opportunities for learning. Who am I kidding it was AWESOME. The trip started off with an awkward bus ride to the Trenton Train Station with a group of people we have not spent more than one hour a day with. But in the end we were praying to get snowed in to spend one more day with the people that we are so different from, or so we thought. Although we had totally different personalities, the fashionista, the "Prepping for PSAT" person, the raver, the conspiracy theorist. But in the end we found common ground. We all had our quirks and kinks and all wanted someone to understand that.

WASHINGTON~ A TIME TO REMEMBER

       From the bus ride full of singing and joy, to the trains with our loud voices heard from all the cars, to spending our late night in our beautiful hotel watching Big Bang Theory (yes, we all watched it).This was the life of a five of the most hard working Makers on March 12th and 13th. Learning different skills to present to our fellow teachers. and also knowing how it feels when your students don't listen to you aka teachers for us. Russian Spy, Albert, Sun-Darth, Phuh-something something. DR.MC-c, and DR.Aderhold (sorry no nickname) and I had all experienced this memorable trip together from me, being bias and wrong about everyyy comment that someone said, to Oliver talking on stage in front of thousand of people. to not letting go of each other on our last bus ride back to Community Middle School. Honestly, I would never cherish this moment as much with another group. 

         To be honest one of the best parts of this trip was our hotels. Poor KGB had missed this since she was with her grandparents, but as you all know Oliver was going up on stage and presenting to all the teachers that were packed closely together in the room. and trust me...That was a big room. The night before we had planned to you know prep up Oliver as usual but this was Oliver's reaction "OH MY GODD!!! OH MY GOD!! WHAT IF I SCREW UP..." As you can see from this little sentence..He was a hot mess. After we prepped him, we got a call to our hotel room, right when Kunal Nayar made one of the most funniest jokes in Big Bang Theory. "AHHHHH THERE'S A GHOST IN OUR ROOM!! HELPPPP!!!". Sundhar was screaming on the phone like a little girl.( no offense sundhar) Any way, let's walk away from the story and focus on something else shall we...

       
        When we walked into the Convention Center, we walked in with pride since we were the only kids there to make a nerve-wrecking presentation in front of teachers, principles, advisers, and other staff members of schools. When I look back at our Washington Trip. All I remember is how much fun we had, how we bonded with each other, and trusted each other. No matter how much we prepared, it still felt like we were winging our presentation.

       I was so honored to meet Governor Wise, the president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and to also talk to him and tell him our Maker program here, at CMS. I am so proud that the our first year CMS PRISM teacher has not only made her mark with so many awards, she has made our first one, right there.. In Washington D.C.

       I honestly love you guyz, and cannot have better friends. I hope we can do this again with our Atlantic City Trip, except with one new member added to our team. Well, that's it for this post guys. I'm off now, but don't worry I'll post more about Atlantic city and keep you up to date on what we do. 

                                                                  ~Sharanya Vutla                                                                 

   

Washington

Washington,hmm.... if that is what you're asking there is a lot to say. Since there is only so much time, I will give you guys the gist of what happened. One thing that the Maker Ambassadors learned from this experience is that you can never be too prepared for anything. This trip may have been for educational purposes, but we leaned many life skills as well, it's funny how 48 hours out of your regular life can teach you so much.
I am probably not supposed to be saying this because it ruins a teacher's image, but the Superintendent was hilarious. We saw the side of teachers we never usually get to see. They were so relaxed, yet annoyed that they had to deal with us crazy kids. My side of the story is that, I was pretty  nervous. Being home away for two days, with four other kids I didn't even know very well.
Anyway, the most memorable part of this experience was at the hotel. Oliver was going to be interviewed the next day, and we were all nervous that he was going to screw things up.  At least, I was. When it comes to Oliver, you can never be to sure. So, back to the point. We all decided that it would be a good idea to quiz him, and prep him.
All of a sudden, a blood curling scream, okay, well maybe not blood curling, but still a screech none the less.
"Ahhhhh! Ahhhhhhh! There is something in the bathroom. There is a shadow in the bathroom." That voice was from a fellow classmate, Sundhar. Again the same dialogue was repeated.
It was hilarious.
Ask any one of us Makers, and that will probably be the most memorable moment. Not only was it entertaining, but also something that we all will remember forever.

Dutch Neck Science Day - April 17

We are off to showcase and inspire once more! Please make sure you return your permission slip no later than Tuesday, April 14. 

You will have 30 minute sessions with students in grades 1-3 about the Maker Ambassador program. Decide within the group who will lead the Makey Makey and littleBit sessions. Go to our Google Doc and add your thoughts for challenges, equipment needs, and lessons. 

Don't forget that you need to be at Dutch Neck by 8am and that you need to be picked up by 2:45pm. We do not have a Maker Ambassador bus! 

Washington- A Reflection

Wow.

What a trip.

What a crazy, awesome, amazing trip.

As most of you blog fans (rock on) know, on March 12-13 a very special group of makers went to Washington DC.  To prepare for the trip, we were all assigned embarrassing and occasionally star wars-related nicknames.

Me (Katherine): KGB, Russian Spy (because of my initials)
Oliver: OZ, Olly, Olive, Olivia, Ollypop, Beyonce (don't ask me where that came from), and Albert (long story)
Sharanya: Shoe, Sharan-yoda
Phanisree: Phuhsomething-something
Sundhar: Shun-dhar, Sun-Darth

But enough about the weird nicknames.
Anyway, looking back from my trip to Washington, I learned a lot of things.  I learned that while forcing us to collaborate, which is the PRISM term for "don't bite anyone's head off because they accidentally poked your rover", might have been annoying in the short term, being able to present how we worked together to do things was really rewarding in the end.

I must admit, it was really nerve-wracking to have to speak in front of tons of principals and politicians.  We actually got to facilitate the whole thing, while Dr. MC stood in the back, adding some little stuff and running the presentation.  Speaking of Dr.  MC, she really taught us that we have a voice and it matters, and there's no way we could have done it without her, but still, WOW was it tough speaking to all those people.  As Oliver put it, "Sundhar, I need to ask you a favor.  If I faint on stage, which I inevitably will, will you please run over and drag my dead body out of the spotlight?"

It was a real honor to meet all the people there, such as Governor Wise, who is the president of the Alliance for Excellent Education, and the former governor of West Virginia.  He was an awesome guy, funny, nice, et cetera.  In fact, when I made someone else's day by accidentally leaving my entire $100 in a taxicab, Digital Learning Day desperately tried to track it down, and when they couldn't, Governor Wise personally presented me a replacement for the money, single-handedly restoring my faith (mostly) in politicians. 

Maker Fridays Are Back!

What do we need?

It’s not easy being G+T.  We ask a lot from our teachers.  However, this post is basically what we want and need in the classroom.

We need challenge and choice.  We should be able to do projects as we choose, and different learning styles in the classroom is vital to having kids’ needs.  We need to be given engaging and interesting projects.  We need to be able to develop 21st century competencies and persistence.  You can’t do that with a worksheet!

Beyond that, teachers should try to counteract the belief that “failure is bad” that seems to be so pervasive in our culture.  In the PRISM room, we all know that failure is a learning opportunity and can lead to success.  However, in some other classes, people are so concerned with not making a mistake that they never test the boundaries of their knowledge.  Teachers need to give us support and teach us that failure is expected and encouraged.  If necessity is the mother of invention, the father is failure and prototyping.

What we DON’T need in our classrooms are endless worksheets and rote memorization.  Teachers should foster curiosity and a love of learning, and these don’t develop when kids don’t care about the work and feel like they have to do it or they’ll get in trouble.

The two best way to build a classroom where every student feels eager to learn is by giving them a voice. We need to know that our voice matters and we should share our views to help improve our learning.  Students can be surprisingly insightful, especially when it comes to their own learning.

The other way is to teach not just reading, riting, and ‘rithmetic, but also the “soft skills”- perseverance, creativity, communication, problem solving and more.  School teaches two things- the “what”- photosynthesis, ancient rome, algebra, and the “how”- life skills like resilience and responsibility- that will stay with us forever.

What do we, the students, need from our teachers?

Being a student in middle school is not easy. However, being a student in a middle school with teachers that teach straight out of the textbook is even worse. We, as students, need teachers that teach us things that are outside of the textbook, things that we will need for the rest of our lives. I'm not saying that we don't need writing or math skills in our lives, but skills like working with a group, not giving up, and being open-minded are also extremely important.

Teachers should challenge us. They should give us, students, difficult tasks that doesn't just require knowing facts and figures, but thinking outside of the box, and coming up with different ways of solving a hard problem, even when it seems impossible. In other words, teachers should have us do activities that teach us persistence, particularly to not give up, no matter what happens. Just because the "traditional approach" doesn't work, kids should try another way to solve a problem instead of giving up. This leads me to my next point, innovation.

We are now in the 21st century. No more obsolete ways of teaching, or outdated ways of solving problems by flipping through a textbook. As 21st century learners, we, the kids, need to be innovative and creative when it comes to learning. Beyond what we learn in textbooks, we need teachers to encourage us to be original, and to not fear failure, for failure leads to success. In the WWP school district, we are now using Chromebooks in nearly all of our classes. It is our textbook, calendar, notebook, and much more. We have said goodbye to the traditional pen and paper ways of learning. We now have the entire internet at our fingertips, letting us explore other ways to overcome challenges. 

One of the 21st century competencies, "collaborative team member", is no longer restrained to a physical meeting. Google hangouts has allowed us to work on group projects from the comforts of our own homes. Google Drive allows us to all work on the same document at the same time, edit each others' work, and post comments on the final products. By using new technologies, we are redefining what it means to be a collaborative team member, Of course, teachers still need to provide us the opportunities to work with a group in order for us to learn this skill.