Last updated 9/10/2015 8:47:15 AM
The EAST® Initiative recently awarded over $76,000 in grant funds to be shared by nine schools that participate in EAST. Facilitators at participating EAST schools submitted 100 words describing their proposed projects to be completed in the summer of 2012. The winning schools and their projects include:
Cutter Morning Star
The TALON Tech Team engages students interested in technology and assists to integratetechnology in their school district. The team will become familiar with the hardware/software in the district using the summer to fix long-standing technology issues. The goal is to clean up machines, trouble shoot, and train to become a technology resource for the school district. Students will also be able to educate teachers to integrate technology into their lesson plans. The ISTE NETS will be the guidelines that the facilitator will use to prepare the Tech Team for their role; the school gets to utilize its best resource - its students.
Dardanelle
“iPads for STEM” (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) at Dardanelle High School is designed to create a more engaging environment for students in math and science STEM courses and to provide access to mobile technology for students and teachers of these courses. The “IPADS for STEM” project utilizes technology to support instructional design for science and math curriculum. With the rapid growth of mobile devices arriving in the classrooms of today, this project provides the school with access to 17 IPads for science and math teachers to provide a more kinetic and effective learning environment in STEM classrooms. As a result, a partnership with the teachers and the EAST students is formed to address the use of mobile technology in classrooms.
Har-Ber ( Springdale )
Har-Ber EAST Students will preserve the history of WWII Veterans memories of the May 2012 NWA Honor Flight to Washington, DC by creating a documentary, a promotional video, and photo disks for 82 WWII Veterans and their chaperones as well as the NWA Honor Flight organization. The students will compile and edit approximately 1500 pictures and 70 video clips of the event, as well as interview additional Veteran’s to include their reflections of the trip after returning home. In addition, the students will create a virtual reality tour of the WWII Memorial for the National Park Service in Washington DC.
Harrisburg Middle School
This Summer Tech Camp will teach students, parents, community members and teachers a variety of frequently used EAST computer skills. Inspired by the new Common Core State Standards, EAST students will focus on helping learners develop skills that are necessary for project-based learning activities. Attendees will learn knowledge of basic computer skills, as well as learn to map with GIS/GPS devices; record, edit and publish videos; create e-books to share through electronic reading devices; and create QR code scavenger hunts to use during the school year to take students on virtual field trips around the world.
Malvern Junior High
Malvern EAST students will create a documentary on the various entrepreneurs from their community. The film will give recognition to the notable figures in Malvern who have made their own success. More importantly, the project will educate students and other young people about the possibilities everywhere to find a solution with innovation. A lot of young people are unaware of entrepreneurship; the film project will provide valuable wisdom and advice to a generation of youth who want to make a differece in their community by solving real problems.
Mansfield
EAST students will assist The Sebascott Development Council and the City of Mansfield in the revitalization of the Dixie Theatre. This will include an oral history documentary, promotional brochures, visual aids, and the development and implementation of a plan to get the building on the list of historic landmarks. Students will research the building’s history through oral interviews, record them, and produce a documentary for the council to use to further the endeavor to restore the property and publicize its restoration. EAST students will collaborate with the city to get the property on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mt. Pine
Success of Mt. Pine’s EAST Video Book Technology Camp prompted the program to take their technology and literacy combo on the road. EAST students will engage in a community partnership with Quapaw House Recovery and Wellness Center in Hot Springs. The camp will combine technology and literacy for “at risk” students. . Young authors will write a story; draw or take pictures to illustrate it; typeset the story; make a movie using their own voices; and transform their writing into a video book. EAST students will assist and support students throughout the process.
Sonora ELementary ( Springdale )
This multidisciplinary project focuses on the natural world of rural Northwest Arkansas. Sonora EAST students will map park hiking trails, receive GPS/GIS training, learn about endangered birds, geocaching, and complete an aquatic environmental study. Students will explore their environment during the summer months. Each student will learn to map local areas using GPS/GIS technology, take photographs of natural wildlife, and explore the aquatic world of Beaver Lake. EAST students will be responsible for the planning, instruction, and implementation of this day camp.
Stuttgart
Stuttgart EAST students will map the historical, African-American Love Rest Cemetery. EAST students will be teaching geospatial concepts while working closely with students from Meekins Middle School to complete the project. Students will map the cemetery using Trimble GIS/GPS, create a digital database, and print a large map of the cemetery. Not only will this project provide a service for the cemetery, but middle school students will receive training on the use of GPS and GIS hardware and software.