Steeple Run Elementary School Curriculum Optimization

EnvirogroupEnvirogroup Jennifer Morgan Amy Silder

Introduction Naperville, Illinois –130,000 citizens Naperville Community School District Steeple Run School’s mission: –Graduate students who think critically, solve problems, make decisions, and have the skills necessary for productive citizenship and lifelong learning by providing comprehensive programs and services.

Constraints School day: 8:15 to 2:30 Classes: –4 kindergarten (two AM and two PM) –4 classes each: 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd grades –5 classes each: 4 th and 5 th 4 classrooms per grade (grades 1 – 5) 2 kindergarten classrooms

More Constraints Teachers require at least 1 hour and 15 minutes of planning and lunch time per day. Classes may also attend: –Art –Music –Gym –Library –Computer Lab –Lunch/Recess

Objectives Maximize the time each class spends in: –Art –Music –Gym And, in turn, maximize teacher planning time.

Methods Used standard linear programming to formulate the problem. Solved the problem using Mathematica. Variable units were based on 1 hour time blocks, with units per week.

Variables K1#, k2#, k3#, k4# – kindergarten classes a1#, b1#, c1#, d1# – first grade classes a2#, b2#, c2#, d2# – second grade classes a3#, b3#, c3#, d3# – third grade classes a4#, b4#, c4#, d4#, e4# – fourth grad classes a5#, b5#, c5#, d5#, e5# – fifth grade classes a, m, g, e, c = total time in art, music, gym, lunch, and the computer lab respectively where # = a – art m – music g – gym e – library r – recess l – lunch c – computer lab s – time in classroom

Results ArtGymMusicLunch Kindergarten 40 min50 min40 min0 min 1 st 50 min 4 hrs 2 nd 50 min 4 hrs 3 rd 50 min 4 hrs 4 th 50 min 4 hrs 5th50 min 4 hrs Note: none of the classes require attendance at either the library or the computer lab

Discussion All constraints can be met. Very little flexibility in daily scheduling. No attendance for library or computer lab. –Allows for more out-of-the classroom learning experiences

Conclusion Usefulness of linear programming. Mathematica is an excellent tool. –Allows curriculum planners to easily change constraints. “An employee that understands goal programming is a valuable asset to any organization.” -Ms. Lenore Johnson