2015-2016 fox chapel area school district state of the schools
Joe Eisel, a DMS technology education teacher and a DMS Summer Learning Academy
coordinator, led the project-based learning portion. Teachers from a variety of content areas
were also involved in the experience.
The 19-day summer program, which included district-provided transportation, as well as
breakfast and lunch, was a success. Enrollment in the 2016 summer program increased to 90
students from 51 last year. Additionally, pre-and post-assessment numbers showed a significant
increase in student achievement in reading and math.
Two incoming sixth graders wrote a summary of the hydroponics/aquaponics building project
that appears on the school district website. They described the success of the project, “As
everyone worked, you could hear the shovels clanging, the fan running, and everyone sharing
their ideas. Even on humid days, the students still went outside, got dirty, drank iced tea, and
regrouped in the shade. The project progressed very quickly because everyone was contributing
their best and working hard.”
Dorseyville students also had the opportunity to choose to take the long-time summer science
academy taught by science teacher Peter Pinko.
“As Everyone
Worked, You
Could Hear the
Shovels Clanging,
the Fan Running,
and Everyone
Sharing Their
Ideas.”
Fox Chapel Area | Fall 2016 | icmags.com 23