In addition to Fox Chapel Area, four other local school districts are also
League members and Dr. Freeman is quick to point out that there is a
culture of innovation in Pittsburgh. “The Pittsburgh region is the only
region nationally to have such a high induction rate into Digital Promise’s
prestigious League of Innovative Schools. Our school district is grateful
to the Remake Learning Network and our local foundations for their
dedication to creating a culture of innovation in our city,” Dr. Freeman
stated. “We look forward to sharing our expertise and gaining valuable
insight from other national leaders.”
Dorseyville Middle School gifted education teacher Mimi Loeffler
explained how students will be using Hummingbird robots as part of
a cross-curricular project. Later this school year, the students will use
the robots, programmed with Scratch, to design and create a museum
display. Students will research westward expansion as part of their
social studies curriculum and study science concepts dealing with
electricity and circuitry to create their project that will feature motion,
sensors, and lights. The final project will be featured at the Heinz
History Center in May.
“What’s great about this way of teaching and
learning is that it’s collaborative. Students have
to learn to work together to design and problem
solve,” said Kerr Elementary School teacher Stan
Strzempek about the use of computer science
programs and tools in the classroom.
As students filed into his classroom, Mr.
Strzempek explained that they will be introduced
to Makey Makey. “What is Makey Makey?” a
student asked. “Is it kind of like robotics?” “Yes!”
Mr. Strzempek replied as he explained how they
will use bananas and Play-Doh to turn everyday
objects into touchpads. Within minutes, the
students completely understand what to do.
“You’re allowed to play on the piano while using
bananas,” a second student exclaimed. “It’s like a
banana piano!”
Another group played Mario using Play-Doh to
control the character on a computer. The
students learned that by making connections
with each other they could complete a circuit.
According to Mr. Strzempek, “Working together
to solve a problem is a life skill. You have to work
together or you won’t succeed.”
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FOX C HAP E L ARE A SC HOOL N E WS
“It is an honor to be able to work with dynamic leaders of some of
the top schools in the nation in order to improve and enhance public
education,” Dr. Freeman said. “Being a part of this network will enable
us to broaden our knowledge far beyond the borders of Western
Pennsylvania. We will bring back innovative programming that improves
student learning across the board, and we plan to share that knowledge
with other school leaders as well.”
Fox Chapel Area
districts. Additionally, members engage with entrepreneurs and support
research that expands teaching and learning. Dr. Freeman and Assistant
Superintendent David McCommons, Ed.D., attended their first League
meeting in November held in Baltimore that was sponsored by Digital
Promise and the Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public
Schools. There they joined approximately 200 national school leaders,
education experts, and entrepreneurs visiting schools and participating in
workshops with the goal of addressing shared priorities and setting goals.