Visit to STEAM Academy at Ferguson

Today's visit was to the York City School District.  I went on a tour of the STEAM Academy at Ferguson.  The academy runs for students in grades 4 through 8.  Students in these grades have a daily period where they attend the STEAM academy.  While there are other activities that occur during this time on occasion, most days are dedicated to STEAM activities.  In the first marking period, students did science fair project.  As we toured the classes, there were science fair boards all around.  As the YCSEF director, that made me feel good about the work they are doing:).  Posted in the rooms - you could see the engineering design process. Each month has a challenge for students.

Students were using notebooks to record their work.  This was terrific and the note on the board was more optimistic: Create, Design, Play, Remix, Play, Share.  A great model for work.  Students in 5th grade were working on little bits.

The highlight for me, was viewing the work in 8th grade.  They were using Makey Makey and students had a number of different projects going on.  Two young ladies made a piano out of bananas and two young men had a set of bongos.  Dr. Holmes even got a chance to play.  There was another project with students making different sounds through a glove type device.  

Students were using a lot of different equipment including 3D Printers.  One students presented me with a parting gift: