Project Narrative



CenturyLink Foundation & Arizona Technology in Education Association (AzTEA)Innovation in Classroom Technology Integration (ICTI) Grant 2012-2013T.R.E.C.(Technology, Robotics, and Electronics Class)Proposed by:Jennifer Wernerjwerner@ Hearn AcademyBall Charter SchoolsPhoenix, AZMichael E. Larrabee – Board President Dr. Gaye Garcia Leo - Principal, Hearn Academy IntroductionNeed for the projectHearn Academy is a modest and growing charter school with a very diverse population. With a student population that spans many age/grade levels, socio economic classes, and a number of languages and cultures there is a great need to create an environment that will allow students to work together on projects where a project-based goal is in place. The Technology, Robotics, and Electronics Class (T.R.E.C.) will become a foundation for bringing this diverse population together through teamwork and hands-on discovery learning. As a Ball Charter School Hearn Academy is also moving towards a distinct focus in Math, project-based learning, and development of problem solving skills. The T.R.E.C. project will allow Hearn Academy to offer an environment that fosters these skills while immersing the student in a highly engaging program during their regularly scheduled academic time.Description of Project-Based Learning ActivitiesUsing building kits and programming software the students will work in teams to complete building robots using Lego blocks and MINDSTORM technology. During the T.R.E.C. project students will complete a number of units which include hands on building and programming of these robots to perform various tasks. The actions of the robots, difficulty of the build, and intensity of the programming will increase with each grade level. Each grade level will experience an introduction period. Then a scaffolding lesson effect will take place beginning in 3rd grade and continue to 8th grade students. For grades Kindergarten-2nd grade T.R.E.C. will use LittleBits module kits and other classroom materials to create prototypes, creative projects, and express innovative ideas. These modules will allow students to create projects that utilize the abilities of the littleBits modules. These abilities include lights, sound, movement, vibration detection, and other functions. InnovationBy exposing Hearn Academy students to alternate forms of technology such as robotics and electronic circuitry Hearn Academy will be the first school within the Ball Charter Schools to give this opportunity to students. Budget restraints cause students to currently learn about robotics, electronics, circuitry, and engineering through computer based programs, textbook diagrams, and freely available educational products. Current technology classes consist of typing, document formatting, computer based art creation, and use of Web 2.0 tools. Other than document creation technology classes are disjointed from classroom learning, integration of classroom academics and student technology experiences are minimal. By introducing the T.R.E.C. program into the weekly curriculum students will be able to expand their knowledge and gain a better understanding of technology. Student ImpactIn the first year of implementation 614 students will utilize the materials and gain knowledge from the project-based learning program. Over 3 years this project could impact over 1000 students who enter Hearn. Project NarrativeSchool EnvironmentHearn academy is a community school that services a categorized low-income community. With a student population of 614 students Hearn Academy includes advance placement classes for grade levels Kindergarten – 8th grade. We currently have 54% of our student population on Free/Reduced lunch program The T.R.E.C. project will take place in the school’s computer/technology lab. This lab includes a bank of 26 computers that are available for project use by all grade levels of students. Need for the projectBudget restraints have caused Hearn Academy students to currently learn about robotics, electronics, circuitry, engineering through computer based programs, textbook diagrams, and freely available educational products. Current technology classes at Hearn Academy consist of typing, document formatting, computer based art creation and the use of Web2.0 tools. Other than document creation technology classes are disjointed from classroom learning, integration of classroom academics and student technology experiences are minimal. By introducing the T.R.E.C. program into the weekly curriculum students will be able to expand their knowledge and gain a better understanding of technology. The scope of this project introduces new innovations in the world of technology, mathematics, project management and problem solving skills to the students of Hearn Academy. Never before has this school’s population had the experience to work through projects in math, engineering, and technology with these types of materials or with this magnitude of self driven learning. Project ImpactStudent ImpactIn the first year of implementation 615 students will be utilizing the materials and gain knowledge from the project-based activities. This class will be implemented as part of daily curriculum for all students in the school. Throughout one school year every student in the school will experience the robotics, circuitry, and programming curriculum included in the project. Over 3 years this project could impact over 1000 students. This includes all new enrollies into the Hearn program. Teacher ImpactThe T.R.E.C. program will give teachers another outlet to teach and reinforce concepts that are included in thier state standards and AIMS topics. This will also begin a culture of project based collaboration between teachers of different subject areas. Community ImpactHearn Academy is in a community that has many engineering and technical companies in the area. By creating curriculum where students can work through projects that foster these mathematics and engineering skills, logical thinking, self management, and problem solving skills, Hearn students will have the opportunity to connect this learning to their immediate world as well as possess the skills to sustain their community.Learning Goals and OutcomesThe goals of this project are to allow students through cause and effect learning, hands on discovery, and project based lessons to create an individualized learning experience that allows each student to express their interests and learn skills that will help them in their current academics as well as their future careers. This program is an extended length program with many units the following are examples of SMART goals for specific units for each type of media in the project. Lego MINDSTORMS component SMART Goal: Students will show their proficiency in the basics of robotics and programming by successfully completing the Labyrinth Challenge with their designed robot in the first 20 days of the program. Lego MINDSTORMS component Skills and Correlation MatrixProjectArizona Common Core DomainsArizona Technology Standards Instructional Strategies Used21st Century Skills CorrelationLabyrinth ChallengeRatio and Proportional Relationships, Geometry, FunctionsStrand 4: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making, Strand 2: Communication and CollaborationActive Learning, Aims, Goals, Objectives, Part-to-Whole, PBL Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial LiteracyCreativity and Innovation- Work Creatively with OthersLittleBits component SMART Goal: Student will create a working quake machine out of LittleBits modules that will successfully register vibrations by the end of the unit. LittleBits component Skills and Correlation MatrixProjectArizona Common Core Domains Arizona Technology Standards Instructional Strategies Used21st Century Skills CorrelationQuake MachineMeasurement and Data, Operations and Algebraic Thinking Strand 4: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making, Strand 2: Communication and CollaborationActive Learning, Aims, Goals, Objectives, Part-to-Whole, PBL Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial LiteracyCreativity and Innovation- Work Creatively with OthersDescription of Project-Based Learning ActivitiesThe T.R.E.C. program will be an ongoing program for Hearn academy which will include a collection of project based learning activities all of which will be presented to all grade levels of the student population. The activities themselves will be divided into two distinct types of lessons where each different type of lesson is dictated by the materials, littleBits or Mindstorms, that are used to teach the lesson. In this section there are two examples of the many lessons that will be presented to the student during this project. Lego MINDSTORM Module Project-Based Learning Description: In the unit students will examine and modify codes to make their robot move in a forward direction. Students will then go on to experiment with motor power to discover movement such as turning their robot and moving their robot in a reverse motion. Students will then discover how to enable control on their robot to improve the ability of the robot to drive straight and consistently. After these tasks are complete student will run their robot through a labyrinth challenge board that has obstacles for the robot to maneuver. LittleBits module Project-Based Learning Description: After reviewing methods of telling time, graphing, data collection, and data reviewing students will create their own Quake Machine. Working in groups and using LittleBits Modules, cardboard and markers students will cut out and decorate the cardboard for their Quake Machine. Students will then follow the directions in constructing the LittleBits circuit needed to place inside the cardboard quake machine. Then the cardboard design and LittleBits circuit will be joined for the completion of the project. Finally, the quake machine will be given power and tested for successful reading of vibrations. AssessmentLego MINDSTORM Module Assessment Description: Students will be assessed after each section. In of the three sections of the project Moving Forward, Speed and Direction, and Improved Movement the formative assessment will be a robot challenge where the students will show their successful programming of their robot’s ability to move in the direction or way outlined in the project. The summative assessment for this project comes in the form of pre-test/post-test items that cover the terminology and technical processes of each section. Student comprehension, progress, and project management will also be assessed through the evaluation of the students engineering journal. LittleBits module Project-Based Assessment Description: Students will be assessed formatively by the success of their quake machine. Students will also be graded on their successful participation in the form of a survey given to the peers they worked with on the project. The summative assessments will come from review test of the student’s comprehension of telling time, graph reading, and data collection. Technology SupportThe T.R.E.C. project will be implemented and sustain for 5+ years by Mrs. Werner the technology teacher. The project itself also has possibilities to be continued by future Technology and classroom teachers throughout the school. Sustaining the Project After the Proposal PeriodThe T.R.E.C. project will become a part of the Hearn Academy Technology curriculum. T.R.E.C. is anticipated to be in place for 5+ years. InnovationThe scope of this project introduces new innovations in the world of technology, mathematics, project management and problem solving skills to the students of Hearn Academy. Never before has this school’s population had the experience to work through projects in math, engineering, and technology with these types of materials or with this magnitude of self driven learning. Budget Narrative:Direct CostsThe direct costs of this project include the base material set and curriculum software that is needed to implement the program. For the Lego Mindstorm section of the T.R.E.C. program a Lego Mindstorms Education NXT ROBOTC Getting Started Package will be purchased. Included in this package are 12 Lego Mindstorm education NXT Base Sets, ROBOTC 3.0 software and 30- seat license, and Teaching ROBOTC for Lego Mindstorms manual. This set is a cost of $4213.95 with shipping and handling cost of $126.42. The second section of the T.R.E.C. program includes a collection of LittleBits modules Starter Kits. The program will need 6 of these starter kits at a cost of $89 a kit. This set of kits will accommodate group learning in a 20+ student classroom. There is also an estimated $100 for shipping and handling costs of the LittleBits materials. The total cost of the T.R.E.C. project is $4974.37Indirect CostsSince this program will be implemented during the school day using already contracted teacher time there will be no indirect costs associated with the program that are not part of the in-kind calculations of the school. In-Kind ContributionsIn-Kind Contributions of this project include the following list. There is no obligation of the project to cover these costs. 26 computer lab1 Technology teacher (Applicant), full time to teach the material for 5 classes a day. Power to run lab weeklyCenturyLink/AzTEA ICTI Budget FormTOTAL GRANT FUNDS REQUESTED ????????????????????????????????????(Total Funding Requested = Instructional + Support Services + Capital as detailed below)1. Applicant Name: Jennifer Werner2. District/School: Ball Charter Schools/ Hearn Academy 3. Project Title: T.R.E.C. Technology, Robotics, and Electronics ClassITEMIZED PROJECT COSTSList all components and price for each component. Applicants must research fair prices on requested equipmentPROPOSED BUDGET: LINE ITEM DESCRIPTIONFunction CodeObject CodeDescriptionBudgeted AmountInstructional (1000):Supplies6600Lego MINDSTORMS Education NXT ROBOTC Getting Started Package$4213.95Other Expenses6800Lego MINDSTORMS Education NXT ROBOTC Getting Started Package shipping and handling cost$126.42Supplies6600LittleBits modules Starter Kits x6 $89x6=$534Other Expenses6800LittleBits modules Starter Kits x6 shipping and handling cost$100Purchased Professional Services63000Purchased Property Services64000Other Purchased Services65000Other Purchased Services66000Supplies66000Other Expenses68000Instructional Subtotal$4974.37Support Services (2100, 2200, 2600, 2700):Purchased Professional Services63000Purchased Property Services64000Other Purchased Services65000Other Purchased Services66000Supplies66000Other Expenses68000Support Services Subtotal0Total Funding Requested (Instructional + Support Services + Capital)Not to exceed $5,000.00$4974.37In-Kind Contribution (included Direct and Indirect Costs not covered by funding request)N/A see descriptionProject Total Cost$4974.37Biographical descriptionJennifer Werner has been an educator for 17 years. She has worked with every age group from early childhood to adult students. While working as a center manager for a tutoring center in Chandler, AZ she was able to design tutoring programs and create training opportunities for her staff. In her three years as a public school teacher she created success for her students by meeting her Adequate Yearly Progress goals each year. Her passion for learning and teaching is further shown by her dedication to her college degrees in 2005 she graduated Suma Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. In December 2011 she graduated Suma Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University with her Master’s of Education Degree in Educational Technology. Over the past year she has worked at Hearn Academy as the Educational technology teacher. Picture of Applicant31007055080Jennifer WernerTechnology TeacherHearn Academy17606 N 7th AvePhoenix, AZ 85023602-896-9160Fax 602-896-1997400000Jennifer WernerTechnology TeacherHearn Academy17606 N 7th AvePhoenix, AZ 85023602-896-9160Fax 602-896-1997Project DescriptionThe T.R.E.C. project is a hands on robotics, electronics and engineering project for students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. When robotics and electronics are introduced into Hearn Academy’s technology classes a new level of logical thinking, project development, teamwork and self management skills will be required by the students. The project is intended to impact an entire of school learners as well as heighten the collaboration and hands on learning experiences for an entire staff of teachers. ................
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