Innovation In Middle School

STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), combines rigorous concepts that increase critical thinking and problem-solving skills through unique hands-on project-based learning opportunities. Based on the Stanford D-School Model of Design Thinking students' learning starts with empathy and real-world problem-solving. Students gain a level of understanding about combining their passions with technology and careers that blend STEAM components.

Middle School projects focus on identifying problems in and outside our community and finding creative ways to solve them. Through projects like outreach soap making and 3D printing, future cities and medicine drone dropping devices for remote areas. Students learn to utilize the tools in our Innovation and Design Hub while tackling and bringing solutions to real-world issues in our communities and world.

STEAM MOBILE Lab: Sylvia's STEAM Dream Mobile lab provides equitable and inclusive STEAM learning opportunities to students at schools throughout our local community. Elementary students are led by AIM 8th-grade students utilizing the STEAM Mobile Lab to deliver the unique benefits of STEAM education to nearby Philadelphia schools.

Design Thinking: Design thinking brings in the four pillars of creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication to each unique project for our students, allowing for an increase in confidence, capabilities, risk-taking, perseverance, and responsibility. Establishing a solid foundation in design thinking is an essential part of the AIM's STEAM classes. Not only do students learn about technology, but they also apply creative design and art in their projects. Middle school students get to experience projects ranging from lantern building to coding games to establish a wide range of skills while learning how to make their projects have real world impact. Students are encouraged to experiment and leave their comfort zones. Design Thinking teaches students not to be afraid of failure but embrace the learning it gives.

Community Outreach: Certain middle school projects not only enrich students but also aim to make a difference in the community through inclusivity and targeted help. Students in 7th grade have developed adaptable games designed to be played by differently-abled players, and 8th-grade students work to design healthy food trucks to address food deserts in Philadelphia.

Alicia DeVane, Middle School STEAM Teacher

Heading into her sixth year as an AIM science teacher and first as a STEAM teacher, Alicia was introduced to the AIM Academy Wolf Pack through a partnership with the Philadelphia Zoo in 2014. She returned the following year for her student teaching experience and never looked back. Alicia spent nearly two decades teaching learners of varying ages and abilities through her work with the Philadelphia Zoo, Camden New Jersey’s Adventure Aquarium and the YMCA.

Innovation

Students at AIM have access to a wide collection of technology tools including speech-to-text (dictation), text-to-speech, as well as audio books. Additionally, our students use a variety of web-based programs such as Google Applications (Earth, Docs, Forms, Sites, SketchUp, Scribe), Haiku, CAST, Storybird, Glogster, Edmodo, Many Eyes, iFlash, Geometer’s Sketchpad, Timeliner, Prezi, Scratch, and GarageBand just to name a few. These resources are used to leverage technology to enhance instruction for our students in ways that were never before possible with just a pen and paper.

All classrooms at AIM are equipped with SMART boards, LCD projectors, and HoverCams which foster interactive, meaningful learning experiences across the curricular areas of reading, writing, math, science and history. SMART boards enable students to work collaboratively on projects ranging from shared notes, to videos, to prezis, which hone their interactive and digital skills. Middle and Upper School students have access to iPads, Kindles, LiveScribe Pens, Learning Ally, and more.

We also have a fully equipped graphics space in the Global Resource Center complete with new 27-inch iMacs, Canon digital SLR cameras, Canon digital video cameras, large format printers, large format scanners, and a Mediascape (a six-person dual screen collaborative digital workstation). The iMacs are loaded with full animation/graphics capabilities enabling students to create and edit video in Final Cut, develop animations, study architectural design in 3D virtual spaces, and edit digital photography using Adobe’s Creative Suite.

Interaction

Invention

All Middle and Upper School students have technology tools at their fingertips and the support to learn how to maximize their uses. Our 1:1 Apple laptop program places a laptop in the hands of every student in grades 5-12. Each computer is fully loaded with research-based assistive software.

As with our entire technology program, we identify access points for robotics and engineering concepts where they align with our curriculum. Because creativity, innovation, critical thinking, flexibility, and problem solving are among the most important 21st century skills, AIM believes that exposure to this coursework is critical for future success.

Our Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design and Math (STEAM) Wing is home to the 3D Printer and the Middle/Upper School Makerspace. The 3D printer was assembled by students who are currently printing iPhone cases, chess sets, small figurines, and parts for our next 3D printer. The Makerspace is a room designated specifically for tinkering with a wide variety of technologies, robots, and tools. This space gives our students the opportunity to explore and expand their digital and creative skills without the constraints of an assignment.