instructional technology. Over the previous two years, the district has purchased more than 1,000 Chromebooks for use use in grades K-12. Chromebooks have been integral in enhancing and personalizing educational opportunities for students.
In addition to the Chromebook initiative, the District has also been involved with integrating interactive whiteboards, adding 3D printers in all schools, purchasing laser cutters, and supplementing instruction with various other technological tools. Some of these tools were supported through grants and EITC funding.
It is an exciting time to be a Franklin Regional student, parent and educator. I am so proud to be part of a community that both expects and supports educational innovation and a continuous evolution in the learning process. I am confident that the programs we have in place and the ones that are yet to come will create a generation of strategic and creative citizens, who will make their communities, workplaces, and our world better places to live and work!
Sincerely,
Dr. Gennaro R. Piraino, Jr. Superintendent of Schools
FirstEnergy Classroom Grant Propels Sloan Elementary’ s STEM LittleBits Project Forward
Sloan Elementary teachers Ms. Carmen Loughner and Ms. Kimberly Ord were awarded a $ 1,000 STEM Classroom Grant from FirstEnergy.
Money from this grant will be used to purchase LittleBits, which are innovative circuits that promote the extension and deeper understanding of skills that were previously covered in the electrical circuit unit in science class.
The LittleBits kits provide the students an opportunity to manipulate series and parallel circuits in a format most often used in electronics and various other computer devices.
Shown( from left) are Ms. Tina Burns, Sloan Principal, Ms. Loughner and Ms. Ord, teachers, Terri Knupp, FirstEnergy Area Manager, and Superintendent Dr. Gennaro R. Piraino, Jr.
After reading the novel“ The City of Ember,” students will be able to apply what they have read from the story and what they have learned in science class. They will be able to create a scene from the story, create a new ending or research ways to generate electricity from the ground and incorporate this into their student-driven LittleBits circuits. The groups will be evaluated on their teamwork, perseverance, and the circuit created.
FR Elementary 3D Printers Teach Advanced Skills
All three Franklin Regional elementary schools received a grant from Gurrentz International for the purchase of 3D printers. This year, the art and technology teachers in each school( Lisa Guidry, Emily LaSlavic, Kelly Bickmore, Tammy Gianvito, Danielle Hartman, and Leslie Campbell) began teaching their 5th grade students how to use advanced design software to create a 3D image that can be printed using the 3D printer. The software these students are using is beyond their grade level; however, the students have embraced the technology and are now working to create art projects that will be displayed at the FR Festival of Arts, presented by the FR Panther Foundation, on March 30, 2017 from 6-8 p. m. at the Franklin Regional Senior High School. The 3D printers and student art work are featured on this month’ s IN Murrysville cover. ranklin Regional
FRANKLIN REGIONAL NEWS
FR CalcuSolve Team Celebrates Winners
Franklin Regional Senior High School’ s( FRSH) CalcuSolve team brought home several wins at a recent CalcuSolve competition.
Evan Zhou was the Third Place Individual winner and Bhav Jain and Elena Swecker were the Second Place Individual winners. The FRSH CalcuSolve team earned Second Place. The FRSH CalcuSolve Team include Evan Zhou, Bhav Jain, Elena Swecker, Vineet Madduru, and Quincy Bayer. They competed against several teams from Allegheny and Westmoreland County school districts.
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