STEAM
Carlynton Shines in STEAM
and Innovative Partnerships
District-supported programs
capture attention of PA
Secretary of Education
Submitted by Wendy Steiner, Carlynton High School English Teacher
O
n a recent in-service day, a group of Carlynton educators
from grades K-12 participated in a training session with
BirdBrain Technologies. Instructor Matt Chilbert led
teachers through several activities, affording the opportunity
to program Finch Robots and design original robots using
Hummingbird Classroom Kits. The result was a robot petting
zoo featuring a shark that opened and closed its mouth while
repeating the famous line from the movie Jaws, “We’re going to
need a bigger boat.” Additional designs included an elephant who
twirled its trunk, a caterpillar made from bottle caps, and a beaver
with a moving tail and chomping teeth.
BirdBrain was founded in the CREATE Lab at Carnegie Mellon
University in 2010 and encourages educators at all levels to bring
robotics into their classroom.
This professional development opportunity was possible
thanks to a $35,000 PA Smart Grant. High School teachers Lisa
Rowley and Wendy Steiner submitted the grant on behalf of the
district and are directing the funds to increase access to STEAM
programming for students in grades K-12.
The impact on students has been immediate. A high school
STEAM class has learned to program the Finch to complete a series
of movements, change colors, and move in difference directions.
Senior Alex Kalimon created a program that commands the Finch
to return to him when it strays too far from the computer. Students
have moved on to Hummingbird Kits with a programmable circuit
board by Arduino.
Access to Arduino technology has already paid off for junior
Jaimee Cabili, who recently won first place at the Pennsylvania
Junior Academy of Science Competition with her translation
glove, a device that translates sign language and allows those
with hearing loss or deafness to be understood by others. Jaimee’s
invention will take her to Penn State University in the spring where
she will compete at the state level. For her efforts, she has been
recognized by the Society of Women Engineers.
Increasing access to STEAM programming for girls is another
area of focus at the junior-senior high school. Teachers Pam Stone
and Brittany Nocera are leading a Girls STEAM Club which meets
twice a week after school in The Shop. The club was formed with
the intention of creating a safe place for girls to learn and explore
STEAM skills, converse with women in STEAM careers, and have
hands-on opportunities to interact with some of the technology
purchased with the grant money. Teachers are hopeful the club
will impact female enrollment in advanced math and science
classes at the high school.
Access to technology has been made easier with the addition
of the STEAM Mobile Lab. Through the support of the Carlynton
40
CARLYNTON
High school science teacher Kimberly Glasspool demonstrates the
programming of a petting zoo animal she created during an in-service
day training.
Education Foundation, other grants, and district funds, a mobile
lending lab has been established and is available to educators
across the district. Teachers can request a variety of equipment
such as GoPro cameras, Makey Makey boards, and OSMO Genius
Kits, in addition to Bee Bot, Finch, and Hummingbird robots. These
tech tools have been used in a variety of classrooms from Life
Skills and English classes to kindergarten and English as a Second
Language. Additional technology will be purchased with funds
from the PA Smart Grant.
For younger pupils, the district is now providing an after school
robotics program at Carnegie and Crafton elementary schools.
Teachers meet with students for one hour to introduce coding,
programming, and opportunities to have a play date with robots.
Students in grades 4-6 are invited to participate. Parents who
would like their child to take part in the free program should
contact the school to add his/her name to the list.
The innovations at Carlynton have caught the attention of PA
Secretary of Education, Pedro Rivera. The Secretary will visit the
junior-senior high school March 15 as guest of honor at the annual
S.T.A.R.S. (Students Together with Athletes Reaching Success) St.
Patrick’s Day celebration in the high school gym.