S2 Episode 3: Hang Time

Empowering Modern Learners - PDSB #Peel21st

This week we hung out with the Royal Orchard Middle School Boys’ club as they spend the afternoon exploring STEM activities in the LLC. Principal Kervin White, ISSP/Contact teacher Samantha Stephen, Instructional Coach Swarnaly Banerjee-Modi and a handful of students shared their experience.

What do you think?

Do makerspaces need more than cardboard? Both Emily and Nicole agreed that cardboard is a great place to start, but that a makerspace should grow along with the learning that happens there. Often times we jump to the big ticket items, but if you take your time to carefully consider what makes sense for your learners and your space, you can make sure things don’t sit on a shelf unused. Cardboard is also great because it is so simple that you can really focus on the design thinking process.

What’s New in EML?

Nicole reflected on her experience at the Nelson Mandela Public School STEAM night for junior grade families and the importance of helping parents to understand some of the ways that school is changing to include the type of learning that happens in their Launchpad. Thanks to the team at NMPS for putting on a great night!

Emily shared her excitement about being a Core Values judge at the FLL tournament recently held at Rick Hansen SS. She described a collaborative challenge to have one team member reconstruct a Lego project by listening to the instructions of the remaining team members. Speaking respectfully and ensuring team members had their voice heard went a long way for the teams who were successful in the task.

From the Interview

It’s all hands on deck to support the Boys’ club at ROMS. A diverse group of personalities make up the group that was selected to participate in one afternoon a month of making, coding and creating with Sphero, MicroBit, Scratch, design challenges, stop motion and green screen. These boys are more than basketball. Here are a few Tweets from the club so far:

When we give students different learning opportunities, it ignites curiosity and magic happens @Royal_Orchard Boys Club @PeelSchools @jdefreitas63 @Stephen4Equity @MsGunasingham @katier81 @EmiFarkas @ms_smodi pic.twitter.com/b5WsR6fGKq

— Kervin White (@KervinWhite) December 3, 2018

Our first @Royal_Orchard MakerSpace session with our Boys Club was a huge success! Boys were engaged in exploring STEM exploration and design challenges. Thanks to @njames4nj and @ms_smodi for leading these sessions! pic.twitter.com/Ny7pT5tNCr

— Dinusha Gunasingham (@MsGunasingham) November 8, 2018

@Royal_Orchard Young men showing great perseverance and creativity. Awesome. #peel21st #PeelEML pic.twitter.com/A7cwBasgEh

— MsModi (@ms_smodi) November 8, 2018

A special shout out to Guidance teacher Dinusha Gunasingham and Teacher Librarian Terri Yates who weren’t in on the day we recorded but are involved in the Boys’ Club.

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