We must be MAD! The Redesign of a Middle School Technology Program Robin Beaver, Director of Technology Joe Savitsky, Middle School Teacher Rosemont School of the Holy Child

Academic Tech at RSHC - A VERY Brief History Application instruction Integration The Move to One-to-One Started like everyone did - applications Moved towards integration - no computer teachers - all taught by content-area teachers- ultimate opportunities for integration Eventually need outpaced access Drive towards 1:1 came from teachers - grass roots movement

A Changing Landscape Impact of One-to-One program on how and where we work What do we do with the computer lab? Not a problem but an opportunity While the original model was still working (and very important) in LS things were changing in the MS Student device could handle most classwork Lab being used for group projects and when working on some projects that are better done on full machines Not enough use of space so what else can we do with prime real estate?

Options and Ideas Worked with faculty, students and parents to explore ideas Always mindful of goals for space Providing Opportunities for Creativity Problem Solving/Critical Thinking STE(A)M Collaboration Student choice Knew we wanted it to remain work space for groups but what else could we do? As we went through this process we were also learning more about tinkering and the maker movement

The Space Flexible Durable Lots of power Most furniture on wheels and collapsible Hard and washable surfaces Power from ceiling Lots of storage

The Stuff Hardware iMacs Materials MacBook Pros Hand Tools Makerbot Replicator II Makerbot Digitizer Google Glass Software: 1-2-3D Design iMovie PhotoShop SketchUp Materials Hand Tools Soldering Iron Glue guns Wire Motors Batteries Old computer parts Tons of tape Etc. We had this great space - now what do we fill it with Very high expectations - if we build it they will create - really? Kind of panicky till found Invent to Learn - part pedagogy/theory and part recipe/how to Made the point that engineers work with a problem and parameters, in creative writing we give prompts...

The Program Schedule changes From Integration to Pure Technology Freedom to explore within parameters Last year - once a cycle - this year more Still important to build foundation in lower school Still working with integrated tools in content area classes Tech Studio mostly for pure tech with serendipitous connections Can also use lab for other projects

What do we actually “DO”? Coding 3D Design 3D Printing Game Design Electronics Video/audio production Robotics

The MAD Lab in Action

Results Engagement Excitement Problem solving Collaboration Tech skills Confidence Engagement happened right away Other things growing gradually - our kids are not used to “playing” this way

Looking Forward Going deeper Creating more Skills transference Exploring new technologies and ideas Applying what we learn Making the world a better place!

Resources Contact us: Robin Beaver - rbeaver@rosemontschool.org Joe Savitsky - jsavitsky@rosemontschool.org Online: Invent to Learn - The Book Invent to Learn - Resource Page MakerShed This slideshow - tinyurl.com/MADLabPAIS