south orangetown csd · south orangetown csd fostering innovation through makerspaces getting...

South Orangetown CSDFostering Innovation through Makerspaces

Getting Started● District Vision and Goals

○ Providing Students with 21st Century Skills

● Trends / Articles / Research○ Tech & Learning Magazine

Make Magazine○ The Science Teacher & Children (NSTA)

● Visits, Conferences, & Presentations○ Harvard Innovation Lab○ Marymount School○ Chappaqua Innovation Lab○ NSTA○ Tech Expo○ World Maker Faire

South Orangetown Central School District

Budget, Staffing, Spaces● Budget

○ Budgeted for New Initiatives○ Legislative Grants

● Staffing

○ Created new positions in schools with gaps○ Technology teachers in makerspaces K-8

● Spaces○ Created Makerspace at WOS○ Redesigned technology lab at CLE and built Mac Lab○ Created space at SOMS. New space for 16-17, ○ TZHS - Library Media Center and Makerspace


Evaluating & Expanding our Program● Identified current projects

○ Robotics○ Coding (Scratch)○ Computer Science○ Isolated Engineering Design

● Curriculum ○ Recognized a need for mapping

and horizontal and vertical alignment to push projects

○ Identified Curriculum Gaps○ Provide equitable access for all

students.○ Designed and expanded

technology and engineering curriculum and projects


Evaluated Existing Resources

● Assessed our existing “spaces”○ Technologies currently available○ Considered both instructional and

non-instructional spaces○ Traditional computer labs

● Evaluated the needs for each space○ Type of technology to be employed○ Infrastructure required


Ensure the technology met the instructional needs

Iterative Process

● Doesn’t happen overnight○ Assess current strengths○ Who are your “trail blazers”?○ Where do you want to go?

● Doesn’t have to be overwhelming○ Ramp up○ “Low Tech vs. High Tech”


Avoid Frustration

Planning… planning… planning

● Nothing is impossible when

you…

Develop a plan and secure support for its’ success

● Remember the “Budgetary Cycle”○ Identify needs early○ Involve the appropriate

stakeholders○ Most importantly…


Articulate the “Instructional Impact”

Developing Plan

● Clear Instructional Goal

● Discuss Benefits to Student Learning

● How will you assess success?

● How will it be replicated and shared?


Budget Cycle: November - December

Philosophy of the Program

● Equity for students.

○ Grade-wide projects○ Not primarily competition based

● Focus on skills, not “stuff”

○ Growth Mindset○ Creativity○ Entrepreneurship○ Innovation○ Problem Solving


Accessing the Spaces

● Kindergarten - 5th Grade○ Set Curriculum○ Students visit once every 6 days.○ Open access for clubs

● 6th Grade - 8th Grade○ Challenge Lab ○ Open access for clubs

● 9th Grade - 12th Grade○ Students visit during open periods or lunch○ Classes can sign out the space


Curriculum Mapping

● Identified Existing Units / Projects

● Common Themes Across Grades

○ Computer Science○ Robotics○ Electronics○ Engineering Design○ Creating Multimedia

■ Video Production■ Stop Motion


Curriculum Mapping

● Units across the grades use common language

● Skills build year to year but use common tools.

● Teachers meet regularly across buildings to discuss units / concepts.


Researching Instructional Tools

● Will this item enhance student learning and provide them with a positive experience?

● Not loyal to one system or vendor

● Use materials that fit our needs

● How can materials be shared & used by all.

● How will the item stand the test of time?


Researching Instructional Tools

Robotics 3D Printing Electronics

Lego WeDoLego NXTLego EV3TetrixVEX IQVEX EDRFischertechnik

Makerbot Replicator 2Makerbot Replicator Gen 5Lulzbot MiniLulzbot TAZ 5Cube

22 Printers District Wide

Makey MakeyArduino Inventor's KitsLilypadPicoboardsMake!SenseLittlebits


Decisions, decisions!

Fun with Bids & Quotes

Professional Development

● We play

● Push-in support

● Group PD Sessions

● Technology Leadership Team

● We use the new technology as students would○ Experiment○ Create○ Invent○ Explore


Current Projects

● Compressed Air Rockets

● Heartbeat Controlled Scratch Game

● Cardboard Instrument Jam Sessions with Scratch and Makey Makey

● Littlebits BattleBots

● 3D Printed Paddle Boats

● 3D Totem Poles


Next Steps

● Continuous cycle of evaluating and improving units

● Scaffolding complexity of units

○ Focus on computer science and robotics.

● Pushing into content area classes


School Maker Faire

● 3rd Annual Event

● 150+ Students

● K-12 is represented

● Noncompetitive Celebration of Student Work


south orangetown csd · south orangetown csd fostering innovation through makerspaces getting...

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