Page 11 - may 2018

Interactive learning for students
By Jennifer Wolfinger, BPS News editor
Golfview Elementary Magnet in Rockledge is the latest district school to host FUSE Studios, an interactive learning lab designed to introduce students to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).
“This is a dream come true,” said Linda Spracklin, the school’s FUSE facilitator. “We are so excited to be able to offer STEAM exploration through this innovative, challenge-based approach. Students are highly engaged as they experience every aspect of STEAM and also have
fun while learning!”
The typical lab at
BPS schools has 26 challenges with three levels in each. Students can level-up or even create their own experiences. There are hands-on kits for most of the challenges as
well as 3D printers. Students select the tasks they want to tackle based on personal interest, which inspires learning and engagement.
Heidi Targee, BPS’ STEAM integrator/magnet coordinating teacher, said: “The challenges are super engaging. Students that normally don’t have access to STEAM find that they have strengths and passions in design, circuitry, programing and engineering. The FUSE design team works hard to look at what is going to excite students in STEAM.”
In addition to Golfview, FUSE Studios are at McNair Magnet Middle and Rockledge High (all three funded
by Northrop Grumman Corp.) as well as Stone Magnet Middle (funded by CompTIA), Palm Bay Elementary (Title 1-funded), Palm Bay Magnet High and Space Coast Jr./Sr. High (both funded by Siemens).
Four new locations will be added next school year. A Boeing grant will fund studios at Jackson Middle, Madison Middle and Titusville High and Southwest Middle will receive a grant from CompTIA. Northrop Grumman Corp. employees currently volunteer as mentors at the existing FUSE Studios, and Boeing staff plan to mentor students at the schools the company is funding.
“Brevard Public Schools’ students are lucky to have such great opportunities in STEM/STEAM in our schools,” said Targee.
Golfview also is home to an Aviation Lab, which uses aviation simulation to introduce students to aeronautics integrated with other curriculum. The lab accommodates
18 students with nine pilot/co-pilot flight simulation stations. Students can select their aircraft, airport (24,000), weather and time.
Debi Pringle, the school’s magnet coordinator, said: “The program is highly motivating! Grounded in a physics theme
of study, it
embeds STEAM
elements into
inquiry-based
learning.
Students have
‘flown’ to places
they might never see like Hawaii, Egypt, Paris, India
and other famous and not-so-famous locations around the world mentioned in their curriculum and studies. These opportunities inspire squadrons of students with experiences that could potentially catapult them into the field of aerospace!”
The FUSE and
aviation labs
contribute to
a wall-to-wall
STEAM culture
at Golfview
Magnet
Elementary,
according to
Targee. To share
information
about these
learning opportunities, the AVID program and more, the school is hosting an open house on May 21 at 6 p.m. Tours will be available through May 24. For event details, contact Debi Pringle at 321.633.3570, ext.1007 or pringle.deborah@brevardschools.org.
For more information about FUSE Studios or magnet and STEAM programs, contact Heidi Targee at targee.heidi@ brevardschools.org.
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