Jack Abrams STEM School Students Explore Robotics
Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School students were able to explore the world of robotics during an enrichment program that ran on Tuesday nights for eight weeks.
The program was made possible by a $5,000 grant from Arrow Electronics. Students, parents and Arrow volunteers gathered at the STEM school at 6 p.m. for 90 minutes of working with robots.
“Cathy Ribando, one of our parents, works for Arrow Electronics,” said Rae Montesano, principal of Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School. “The company has a policy where they will fund grant opportunities for projects their employees are interested in if their employees also volunteer to help with the project. We were very fortunate that Ms. Ribando selected our school as her project.”
The $5,000 grant allowed for the purchase of Lego Mindstorm NXT robot kits. Students were able to build robots and later program them to perform various tasks, such as moving forward, backward, going in a circle, etc.
J. Taylor Finley Middle School robotics team members Ben Ribando and Ty Williams assisted the STEM school students. Ms. Montesano offered a “very special thank you” to the two teenagers.
Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School seeks prepare students for life-long learning by developing their confidence and abilities as learners and problem-solvers. The school is committed to the use of innovative, inquiry-based, student-centered, interdisciplinary methods that embraces creativity as expressed through multiple intelligences and multiculturalism.
Over the course of their education, STEM students will become scientifically, technologically and mathematically literate. They will use scientific, technological, and mathematical principles in real-life applications such as design engineering and service projects that will contribute to the community. They will use what they know to create new ideas and products. Students will celebrate and embrace diversity. They will learn to work with others respectfully and collaboratively.
Important foundational aspects of the STEM school include:
• Students, staff, families and the community deserve respect.
• Students can reach their full potential by maintaining consistently high academic expectations and by building their sense of responsibility for learning and caring for each other.
• Students should recognize that many problems have multiple solutions.
• Learning is an active process.
• Learning is most effective when it is real, purposeful, and useful to the student.
• Curricula should guide students in mastering key information, ideas and skills that are essential to the methodologies of the disciplines.
• Curricula should be rooted in discovery, the manipulation of ideas, and the integration of subjects.
• Schools prepare students for the future by teaching them how to successfully address present-day issues.
For more information about Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School contact Ms. Montesano (rmontesano@hufsd.edu).