Well that may be overstating it a bit... It wasn't necessarily a training that I went to... I actually got to go visit two STEM focused schools up north.
SAMI (Science and Math institute) is part of Tacoma Public Schools. It is located right next to Point Defiance Park and Zoo. They literally offer classes in the park! How cool right :) They're actual facility is a series of portables. They are a grades 9-12 school. Students apply for admission. They are closely related with the district's other school of choice which is an arts school. The school is in it's third year and will graduate it's first class next school year. I was kind of disappointed that I didn't see any project-based learning going on. Most of the classes we walked in on, could be happening on any school campus. Now to be sure, they do things differently than traditional schools, we just didn't get to see it in action. The staff talked to us about how it's been a growing experience for all of them and some people have been able to integrate multi-disciplinary projects more easily than others. One of their barriers this year, has been time. They are all teaching, all day long. They're prep period is before the school day begins... problematic. One of the best experiences they advocated for, was a three day camp experience that is the first three days of school for their students. They feel that it is instrumental to community development with their students. It was a good morning at SAMI.
ORCA (Ocean Research College Academy) is located at the port of Everett and is run through Everett Community College. It is a running start program focused on science and marine biology. The program serves juniors and seniors only and they graduate from high school with their AA in Science if they complete all the coursework. The coolest part of this program is the fact that students go out into the Puget Sound twice a month to collect samples for their larger research project. Students really enjoy the small school feel of this program. They only serve about 80 people. The professors are called by their first name, and everyone is really there to help everyone else succeed. This school also hosts an overnight camp to start the school year. Again, I didn't see any project based learning during the classes I sat in on. I did however see a demonstration by students on their research projects. The lab facility was pretty cool and students felt comfortable using the equipment. Students were really invested in the opportunity they were being given. They enjoyed the close community. It was a great day up in Everett.
Additionally on this trip, I got to meet one of my new co-workers, the math teacher. I also learned that I am the only staff member teaching 6 of our eight subjects. Everyone else is single subject. I got to know my new principal a bit better as well as a gal from the curriculum dept. at district office. Finally, we were also joined by a woman contracted through ESD 112 because she is the region's STEM person. It was a great trip overall. Oh one of the coolest things I learned is that our students will each be equipped with a laptop for 1 to 1 learning. SOO COOL! I don't know all the details on how that will work yet, but I can just imagine the possibilities... WAY less paper, and way more opportunity for quick access to information. We will also have a new learning management software similar to perhaps Blackboard for those that used it in college. I can drag and drop paperwork and assignment for my class. I can upload instructional videos for students... The possibilities seem endless :). I am excited for our first whole staff gathering occuring next Saturday :)
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