Brearley Shoots for the Moon with STEM Initiatives, Tech Lab
Middle school also will benefit from new Creative Design elective
At Kenilworth Public Schools, molding future-ready students is a top district goal.
But 100 years into the future? That’s taking it to another level.
Students at David Brearley Middle School recently were challenged to create a model of a city on the moon. They followed the “Living on the Moon” theme outlined in this year’s Future City Competition. Though students didn’t officially enter the national engineering education contest, they showcased their projects at a question-and-answer session with teachers and administrators.
STEM teacher Catherine Allan was impressed with students’ designs and ideas to keep their lunar cities safe and sustainable.
“Several groups came up with the idea of having a dome over the city to protect residents from the harsh solar rays, provide the residents with oxygen and provide the residents with gravity,” she said. “The students overcame the challenge of some team members being in person, some being virtual, and never meeting all together in person.”
Even as Brearley navigated COVID-related complications this school year, administrators have forged ahead with plans to expand STEM activities.
A Tech Lab, planned for the 2021-22 school year, is in the design phase. The space will accommodate a revamped Creative Computing elective, STEM 7, STEM 8, and Future Cities courses; and a “student center” with after school activities. A new Creative Design elective that teaches career skills such as creating social graphics, short videos, and web pages also will meet in the Tech Lab.
“The idea for the Creative Design elective came about as a way to spark creativity among middle school students,” said Brearley Assistant Principal Dr. Kayla Lott. “We hope that by offering more STEM-related electives that are hands-on and engaging, students will continue that path in high school.”
Allan describes the “nontraditional classroom setting” that’s planned for the Tech Lab as a creative workshop for students. Administrators plan to outfit it with whiteboard tables, blackboard walls, coding robots, computers and tablets.
“The students need to be able to draw on tables and walls. The flexible seating will give the students a choice on how they want to do their work,” Allan said.
Brearley recently received a Union County STEM Scholars grant, and will use the $500 award toward the purchase of a 3-D printer. The school plans to add 3-D design to its Creative Computing class. STEM students are currently participating in a “Shark Tank”-style competition that will require them to build 3-D models to be judged by a panel of teachers.
Much like the Future City challenge, it’s a fun activity that underscores Brearley’s growing focus on STEM-related college and career preparation.
“It is our hope that by expanding our computer science department and offering more STEM-related programs in the Middle School and High school that we will empower our students to be the new problem-solving, tech-savvy movers and shakers of the 21st century,” Lott said.
Photo by Kenilworth Public Schools
