Engineering An Elementary School Environment To Enhance Learning
- Conference
- Location
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Publication Date
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June 22, 2008
- Start Date
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June 22, 2008
- End Date
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June 25, 2008
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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K-12 & Pre-College Engineering
- Page Count
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7
- Page Numbers
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13.498.1 - 13.498.7
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--3894
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/3894
- Download Count
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452
Paper Authors
Marilyn Barger University of South Florida
MARILYN BARGER is the Principle Investigator and Executive Director of FLATE, the Florida Regional Center for Manufacturing Education funded by NSF and housed at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa Florida. She earned a B.A. in Chemistry at Agnes Scott College, and both a B.S. in Engineering Science and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Environmental) from the University of South Florida, where her research focused on membrane separations. She has over 20 years of experience in developing curriculum for engineering and engineering technology for elementary, middle, high school and post secondary institutions. She is a registered professional engineer in the State of Florida.
Robin Little Douglas L. Jamerson Jr. Elementary School
ROBIN LITTLE is the Engineering Coach at Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School Center
for Mathematics and Engineering. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in
Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. Her experiences include over 23
years in early childhood classrooms and seven years as a teacher resource and trainer. Robin has curriculum writing experience, including a nationally published teacher resource book integrating science and literature with other areas of the curriculum.
Richard Gilbert University of South Florida
RICHARD GILBERT is a professor of Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering at
the University of South Florida. He is a co-pi on the FL-ATE Center Grant. He has developed
educational materials for ISA (Instrument Society of America), AVS (American Vacuum
Society) Science Educator’s Workshop, and the National Science Foundation through a grant to
develop high school science and math curriculum content. He is currently working with D. L.
Jamerson Elementary School to develop curriculum content for its Center for Math and
Engineering.
Charles Parsons Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School
CHARLES PARSONS is the Science Coach at Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School
Center for Mathematics and Engineering. He earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from the
University of South Florida. His experiences include over 30 years teaching in Kindergarten
through fifth grade classrooms and 1 ½ years as a resource teacher. Chuck has curriculum writing
experience and has presented at various state and national venues.
Debbie O'Hare Douglas L. Jamerson Jr. Elementary School
DEBORAH O'HARE is a 4th and 5th grade teacher at Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary
School Center for Mathematics and Engineering. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education
from Florida State University and has National Board Certification. In 2006, she was one of the
finalists for teacher of the year for her district. Her experiences include over 21 years as a
classroom teacher in all grades. Her main focus has been in the intermediate grades. Presently,
she “loops” with her class from 4th to 5th grade, thus keeping them for two years. Deborah has
experience writing curriculum using the Backwards Design Process and has worked with the state
to create, revise and edit the math questions used on the statewide test for fifth grade.
© American
Pat Van Driessche Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School
PAT VAN DRIESSCHE is a fourth grade teacher at Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School
Center for Mathematics and Engineering. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from the
University of Wisconsin-Superior and her M.S. in Specific Learning and Behavior Problems from
the College of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. Her teaching experiences include over 30 years
teaching first through sixth grade and seven years in exceptional student education. Pat has
presented various district trainings and is currently involved in the development of the integrated curriculum at Jamerson.
Kim Parsons Pinellas County School District
KIM PARSONS is the Reading Coach for Kindergarten through Third grade at Douglas L.
Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School Center for Mathematics and Engineering. She earned a B.A. in
Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University and a Master of Arts in Education from
the University of South Florida. Prior to her position as Reading Coach, Kim’s experience
included fifteen years as a classroom teacher in grades one through five. Kim has presented at
various county and state venues.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
Engineering an Elementary School Environment to Enhance Learning Introduction One prominent characteristic of a magnet school is the employment of an educational theme that attracts a broad spectrum of students. By their nature, academy models focus instruction around a “theme” or academic discipline. Magnet schools use an academic model to motivate students to stay in school, make learning relevant and fun, and to focus students on their futures (either academic or employment). In addition to developing qualified faculty and rigorous and relevant curriculum that supports the magnet “theme”, the school’s physical appearance needs to be enhanced to reflect the theme. This visual and sometimes tactile alteration of the school serves as a constant reminder to students, teachers, parents and visitors that the school’s curriculum is anchored to its declared theme. Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary School is a magnet school with a mathematics and engineering theme. Located in an urban neighborhood, Jamerson receives Title I services for a student population in which 66% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunches. The school has set a standard of excellence for its teachers (requiring them to attain national board certification) and curriculum (total integration of all its subjects with the engineering theme). The appearance of the school plays a vital role in the projection of this theme and in the reflection of the school’s high standards. The campus’s physical elements add to the school’s appearance. Interactive displays developed by the school are used by the students and faculty to provide integrated learning experiences throughout the curriculum. Grade levels have developed lesson activities based on the Sunshine State Standards and assessments that measure student achievement. Overview Throughout the school, eight visual and interactive learning spaces, featuring engineering concepts and history, engage and extend the learning beyond the classroom walls for the Jamerson community. They include:
• Building Wall Signs
• Learning Walls
• Jamerson Water System
• Pulley System
• Joia Tubes
• Find the Engineering
• Engineering Kids
• Gardens
Barger, M., & Little, R., & Gilbert, R., & Parsons, C., & O'Hare, D., & Van Driessche, P., & Parsons, K. (2008, June), Engineering An Elementary School Environment To Enhance Learning Paper presented at 2008 Annual Conference & Exposition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 10.18260/1-2--3894
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