Summer reflection
This summer has been a wonderful learning experience. I can honestly said I have learned so much. Coming into the program, I had some preconceived idea of what I might be learning, and I thought it will all be about technology. However, during the first day I saw that this program is much more than learning tech tools. Throughout this summer’s fellowship, I have been able to think of technology not just as a electric tool, but as anything that is surrounding us. I have been able to think outside of the box and realize that you do not need high tech things to make learning relevant and interesting.
One of so many amazing things I learned was the power of quick fires and what they are. I have never heard of a quick fire activity or challenge. Right of the bat, on our first day we were asked to capture a picture that represent us to introduce ourselves to everyone in the program. This was a great activity, because it showed me that I will have to open my creativity. This is something that I can defiantly bring back to the classroom, as students love taking pictures and being creative. I can see how this is going to be a great activity for me to get to know the students and for them to get to know me. This was one of the many great quick fire activities that we completed. What I take away from them is that you can use some sort of technology, it does not have to be electronics, and take the content you want the learners to explain by using their creativity and most likely collaboration skills. The quick fires were so powerful but most importantly really enjoyable for us to complete. They made us think really hard of whatever we needed to complete, and give 100% of the effort. In my classroom, I have noticed that if I give students too much time for an activity they don’t really manage their time well and most of the time they don’t give their full effort. By giving then a condensed time, and expecting a challenging end result, I think I will make them work really that much harder. Also, having a place where they can share what they have created will be amazing and that much more of a motivation piece, because their peers will be able to see what they have worked on.
One of the most powerful learning moments I had this summer was with Punya. On day seven, we have scheduled appointment to discuss our big Imagine IT projects. Coming into the program, I had no idea that we will have this kind of a project, and when I heard about it I was pretty nervous. I had no idea what we were going to be doing and what can I possible pick for my ongoing yearly project. However, MSU Urban STEM Fellowship instructors did a great job going us a great walkway into the project. All of the sudden, it did not seem that complicated and I knew I was going to be able to successfully compete it. On the time of the appointment, I was so excited to share my ideas for this upcoming year. Also, right before my conference I was able to explain it to my team members and got great feedback on what I can do to improve it and what kind of resources I can use. Meeting with Punya was amazing. He listened to what I had to say, and shared a personal story with me that really inspired me to make this year the best one ever. I want my students to be motivated to experiment in engineering and to understand that it is everywhere around us. I want them to tinker, to think about how things work and to always wonder. Also, I want this wondering piece to be a part of every single class that I get to see them. I am so grateful that we were able to practice “The World of Wonder” with my classmates this summer, as it gave me great ideas for this upcoming year. Students will learn what engineering things happened in history on that specific class day and they will present that to their classmates. Again, this will just enhance that thinking of engineering all around us. As students are completing all of these activities, I want them to have a big project in mind, kind of like I do right now. I am not 100% sure where it is going and what the end result will be, but I am going to try my best to complete each phase and make it happen. I want students to take on that attitude, and work in groups to compete in a “Shark Tank” invention or innovation project. This will not be a one class activity, but an ongoing project that they will try to master throughout the semester with me. All of the activities that we will be completing in our daily instruction will serve as a base for their own creations.
After this summer’s MSU Urban STEM fellowship, I will have a more clear idea of what my year will look like. I now can plan specific daily activities, daily objectives, and final outcomes. I have been able to decide which grade level this will be the most beneficial in and how I can even expand it onto bigger projects the following year. In the beginning of the summer courses, I thought I will be implementing this with my middle school students. However, their curriculum is already so set, that I probably would not have enough time to do everything I want to do. Instead, I will still incorporate the tinkering and history pieces in those classes but really narrow it down with 4th and 5th graders. What makes it even more exciting is that those students were my 1st grade students few years ago so I already have a great relationships established. This will defiantly help when we need to have an open and trusting collaboration and when they are taking risks to create something really amazing. I am so looking forward to see what their creativity will bring to their table and do things that are so outside of the box. Students in my school are not that used to having an open project where they can express their vision. By participating in my class, I am excited that I will be able to reach that creative side and really show off their learning in innovative ways.
There are so many wonderful ideas that I am taking back to my classroom from this year’s fellowship. I am beyond excited and actually cannot wait to begin class in few weeks. I am also looking forward to sharing things I have learned with my coworkers and administration. I wanted to present some if the things we learned and I think it would be a great idea to even do few quick fires with my coworkers during our first week back to work. MSU Urban STEM Fellowship is probably the best thing that I have encountered in my teaching career, and I am so glad I am a part of it.
One of so many amazing things I learned was the power of quick fires and what they are. I have never heard of a quick fire activity or challenge. Right of the bat, on our first day we were asked to capture a picture that represent us to introduce ourselves to everyone in the program. This was a great activity, because it showed me that I will have to open my creativity. This is something that I can defiantly bring back to the classroom, as students love taking pictures and being creative. I can see how this is going to be a great activity for me to get to know the students and for them to get to know me. This was one of the many great quick fire activities that we completed. What I take away from them is that you can use some sort of technology, it does not have to be electronics, and take the content you want the learners to explain by using their creativity and most likely collaboration skills. The quick fires were so powerful but most importantly really enjoyable for us to complete. They made us think really hard of whatever we needed to complete, and give 100% of the effort. In my classroom, I have noticed that if I give students too much time for an activity they don’t really manage their time well and most of the time they don’t give their full effort. By giving then a condensed time, and expecting a challenging end result, I think I will make them work really that much harder. Also, having a place where they can share what they have created will be amazing and that much more of a motivation piece, because their peers will be able to see what they have worked on.
One of the most powerful learning moments I had this summer was with Punya. On day seven, we have scheduled appointment to discuss our big Imagine IT projects. Coming into the program, I had no idea that we will have this kind of a project, and when I heard about it I was pretty nervous. I had no idea what we were going to be doing and what can I possible pick for my ongoing yearly project. However, MSU Urban STEM Fellowship instructors did a great job going us a great walkway into the project. All of the sudden, it did not seem that complicated and I knew I was going to be able to successfully compete it. On the time of the appointment, I was so excited to share my ideas for this upcoming year. Also, right before my conference I was able to explain it to my team members and got great feedback on what I can do to improve it and what kind of resources I can use. Meeting with Punya was amazing. He listened to what I had to say, and shared a personal story with me that really inspired me to make this year the best one ever. I want my students to be motivated to experiment in engineering and to understand that it is everywhere around us. I want them to tinker, to think about how things work and to always wonder. Also, I want this wondering piece to be a part of every single class that I get to see them. I am so grateful that we were able to practice “The World of Wonder” with my classmates this summer, as it gave me great ideas for this upcoming year. Students will learn what engineering things happened in history on that specific class day and they will present that to their classmates. Again, this will just enhance that thinking of engineering all around us. As students are completing all of these activities, I want them to have a big project in mind, kind of like I do right now. I am not 100% sure where it is going and what the end result will be, but I am going to try my best to complete each phase and make it happen. I want students to take on that attitude, and work in groups to compete in a “Shark Tank” invention or innovation project. This will not be a one class activity, but an ongoing project that they will try to master throughout the semester with me. All of the activities that we will be completing in our daily instruction will serve as a base for their own creations.
After this summer’s MSU Urban STEM fellowship, I will have a more clear idea of what my year will look like. I now can plan specific daily activities, daily objectives, and final outcomes. I have been able to decide which grade level this will be the most beneficial in and how I can even expand it onto bigger projects the following year. In the beginning of the summer courses, I thought I will be implementing this with my middle school students. However, their curriculum is already so set, that I probably would not have enough time to do everything I want to do. Instead, I will still incorporate the tinkering and history pieces in those classes but really narrow it down with 4th and 5th graders. What makes it even more exciting is that those students were my 1st grade students few years ago so I already have a great relationships established. This will defiantly help when we need to have an open and trusting collaboration and when they are taking risks to create something really amazing. I am so looking forward to see what their creativity will bring to their table and do things that are so outside of the box. Students in my school are not that used to having an open project where they can express their vision. By participating in my class, I am excited that I will be able to reach that creative side and really show off their learning in innovative ways.
There are so many wonderful ideas that I am taking back to my classroom from this year’s fellowship. I am beyond excited and actually cannot wait to begin class in few weeks. I am also looking forward to sharing things I have learned with my coworkers and administration. I wanted to present some if the things we learned and I think it would be a great idea to even do few quick fires with my coworkers during our first week back to work. MSU Urban STEM Fellowship is probably the best thing that I have encountered in my teaching career, and I am so glad I am a part of it.
