{"id":3509,"date":"2014-07-21T10:48:44","date_gmt":"2014-07-21T15:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sector67.org\/blog\/?p=3509"},"modified":"2014-07-21T17:50:00","modified_gmt":"2014-07-21T22:50:00","slug":"sector67-summer-youth-programming-mesector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sector67.org\/blog\/2014\/sector67-summer-youth-programming-mesector\/","title":{"rendered":"Sector67 Summer Youth Programming: ME@Sector"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>

The first batch of ME@Sector participants recreating Galileo\u2019s inclined plane experiment<\/p><\/div>\n

In a new summer educational program being piloted at Sector67, incoming 3rd<\/sup> to 9th<\/sup> grade students can work on improving their math and engineering skills (the ME in ME@Sector stands for \u201cMath and Engineering\u201d) in a social, hands-on environment. This summer\u2019s program is held on Monday afternoons from 2-4 pm and will last 8 weeks. Scott Hasse, a long term Sector67 member and volunteer, and his wife, Laura McNeill, a math and engineering enthusiast, are developing an initial curriculum, organizing the program and delivering this summer\u2019s sessions. \u201cAlthough math and engineering can be taught in a traditional classroom, Sector67\u2019s space is ideal for designing and conducting investigations. The students can get their hands dirty in an environment where practical engineering happens,\u201d says Scott.<\/p>\n

The first session focused on\u00a0\u220f. \u00a0ME@Sector participants measured various circles and counted their paces around and across a huge chalk circle to estimate values for \u220f.\u00a0 This \u201cfeet-on\u201d approach helped participants internalize what \u220f\u00a0actually is, rather than just memorizing digits and plugging values in formulas.\u00a0 Participants also enjoyed eating some delicious pie.\u00a0 In the second class, ME@Sector participants recreated Galileo\u2019s inclined plane experiment, in which they measured the distance\u00a0travelled by a ball rolling down a constant slope every second to calculate its acceleration.\u00a0 Some of the youth estimated that the distance travelled would be consistent between 1 second intervals, and were surprised to find out it was not.\u00a0 In both sessions, the young engineers had to construct the apparatus, consider possible sources of error in their measurements and other practical engineering problems.<\/p>\n

\"Program<\/a>

Program participants measuring the circumference of a circle to estimate \u03c0<\/p><\/div>\n

To compliment these group activities, part of the each session is dedicated to individual math skills development.\u00a0 Scott and Laura use two online tools to facilitate math activities that best suit each student\u2019s level.\u00a0 Reflex Math (http:\/\/www.reflexmath.com\/<\/a>) provides math-based games for kids to improve their fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.\u00a0 For students who already have basic fluency, Scott and Laura use Khan Academy (https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/<\/a>), a free, online learning platform that uses videos, along with interactive assessments, to teach a variety of subjects including math.\u00a0 Both programs allow teachers, coaches, and parents to track student performance and see exactly where a student might be struggling.<\/p>\n

Although Scott and Laura are leading the charge this summer, the goal is to create a program and curriculum that, if successful, can be extended.\u00a0 Scott says he would like to pursue sources of program funding to add sessions and facilitators.\u00a0 \u201cOne of our goals is to have a diverse group of engineers leading the program.\u00a0 This diversity would help all kids see themselves as future engineers.\u201d<\/p>\n

This summer\u2019s pilot program is already full with 10 students.\u00a0 After program evaluation, plans will begin for next summer.\u00a0 The cost is currently only $10 for the entire 8-week session, and a healthy snack is served at each session. \u00a0\u201cOur goal is to keep the program as affordable as possible, so that it is accessible to all kids who would like to participate,\u201d says Scott. \u00a0For more information on the program, see the flier attached to this article.\u00a0 If you are interested in learning more about the ME@Sector program, participating as a facilitator, or know of a potential participant for next summer, send an email to me@sector67.org.<\/p>\n

\"ME@Sector<\/a>

ME@Sector participants constructing an inclined plane to measure the acceleration of gravity<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Brochure<\/a>

ME@Sector67 Flier<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a new summer educational program being piloted at Sector67, incoming 3rd to 9th grade students can work on improving their math and engineering skills (the ME in ME@Sector stands for \u201cMath and Engineering\u201d) in a social, hands-on environment. This…<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more ›<\/a><\/div>\n

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