NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS NEWS
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS NEWS
Remake Learning Days
The Norwin School District is thrilled that , again , over 300 community members engaged in innovative learning during Norwin ’ s stop on the Remake Learning Days tour . Remake Learning Days is known as the region ’ s “ largest open house of hands-on learning .” Through the month of May , hundreds of events were held throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania to allow students and families the opportunity to “ Wonder , Explore , and Learn Together ” through STEM education . Norwin was proud to present the 3rd annual STEM Showcase to all generations of creative and curious learners on Thursday , May 2nd at Hillcrest Intermediate School .
The STEM Showcase featured hands-on learning opportunities led by students and facilitated by teachers who represented all seven of Norwin ’ s schools . Some of the highlights included a drone obstacle course , Sphero mini-golf , Jimu robots , charm creation , history in motion , CodeJumper , Video 360 , SmallLab , Makedo Makers , history in motion , esports , and creative challenges with Legos .
New this year was Norwin ’ s participation in the Career Ready PA Backpack Challenge through the Pennsylvania Department of Education . Participating students used a passport and career readiness checklist to demonstrate how hands-on STEM learning is a stepping stone to a future career . Each station also highlighted several careers that could be connected to skills learned while engaging in the activity .
Dorie Taylor , co-producer of Remake Learning Days Across America , attended Norwin ’ s STEM Showcase calling it “ a joyful , family-engaged , community event .” Taylor was impressed with the fact that “ stations were student-led , parents and grandparents were learning alongside their kids , and all stations were tied to a career path .” Remake videographer , Molly , and photographer , Dan also partook in the event . “ It was fun to see the joy families had flying drones , coding holograms , learning esports , creating video production , trying sensory STEM equipment , and much more .” Norwin is looking forward to
seeing the footage captured during the event .
Laura Swick , Secondary Level Instructional Technology Support teacher believes that participation in the Backpack Challenge takes the STEM Showcase to the next level . Swick , who has been coordinating Norwin ’ s Remake participation over the past several years commented , “ It makes a lot of sense for Career Ready PA to partner with Remake Learning in providing students an opportunity to connect hands-on learning skills to a career pathway . This partnership will allow students to make relevant , real-world connections , and empower them to be critical thinkers , problem solvers , and lifelong learners .”
Norwin Middle School teacher , Julie Benson , participated in the STEM Showcase for the first time this year with her middle school video club . Julie noted , “ The Norwin Middle School Video Crew enjoyed showing community members how they run a daily broadcast of events , announcements , accolades , and a daily Dose of Knowledge . The design students had a background ready for young enthusiasts showing the years they would be a part of the Video Crew . The student-led team shared their roles and made career connections for visitors . It was a great night .”
During the two-hour event , participants enjoyed snacks and the opportunity to purchase Norwin merchandise thanks to the Hillcrest PTA . Additionally , students received Norwin earbuds for attending the event .
The district would like to thank the Norwin community for continuing to make our STEM Showcase a success and looks forward to future participation in Remake Learning Days .
orwin
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Science Learning at Norwin : Shifting to “ STEELS ”
Norwin School District elementary students are learning about scientific concepts through experiments and inquiry involving “ phenomena .” Scientific phenomena are observable events that occur all around us in the natural or designed world . Lightning , erosion , the formation of ice , and the impact of waves are some examples . Other examples are the presence of humidity on a window , buoyancy , rust , shadows , and migration . During their Science time , students are presented with an event or observable phenomenon . Teachers lead students through rounds of exploration and explanation designed to build students ’ understandings of key science concepts .
This type of learning is guided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education ’ s ( PDE ) academic Science Standards that are aligned to current research in science education . These standards are named with the acronym “ STEELS .” Each letter stands for a central element of Science learning : Science , Technology , Engineering , Environmental Literacy , and Sustainability .
PDE explains that the Science Standards “ prioritize a shift away from memorization of facts to having students productively participate in scientific discourse and practices , involve students in sustained investigation to support deeper understanding , and recognize that even young children are capable of more sophisticated scientific reasoning than originally thought ”
( https :// www . education . pa . gov / Teachers % 20- % 20Administrators / Curriculum / Science / Pages / Science- Standards . aspx ).
Mrs . Lisa LeDonne , K-6 Science Curriculum Leader , presented to the Norwin Curriculum Committee and the Norwin School Board on the STEELS standards . During her presentation , she explained how the Pennsylvania Science Standards are impacting Science education . She described how students , like the ones pictured here , conduct investigations , solve programs , and discuss their scientific conclusions . They will be using their questions and curiosities to investigate scientific phenomena , which is a phenomenal way to learn !
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