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FULL STEM AHEAD FULL STEM AHEAD

The RKYHS STEM Program includes numerous STEM related course offerings
HANDS-ON SCIENCE spanning all high school grades: Coding (ninth grade), AP Computer Science (tenth
grade), Robotics Engineering (eleventh /twelfth grade); Scientific Engineering (tenth
LEARNING IN EARLY grade), Genetic Engineering (eleventh grade), Bio Medical Engineering (twelfth
CHILDHOOD AND LOWER SCHOOL grade), DNA Chug (all grades) and an Independent Scientific Research track (tenth
through twelfth grades) with several students working collaboratively with the
Waksman Institute of Rutgers University. Each course culminates in the presentation
All students in Early Childhood and Lower School experience of year-end projects at various regional scientific/engineering conferences.
a hands-on science curriculum built around the foundational
theory of inquiry-based learning, observation, recording of
data and reaction. The Smithsonian Science and Technology
Concepts program teaches students how to
TM
problem-solve and cultivate their critical thinking skills
Native American Shelters
Secret Gardens brought to life through evaluations, explorations, and analysis.
Creating the Great Wall of China
Objects from the Mishkan
Building kosher sukkot
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/MACHINE LEARNING PROGRAM
RKYHS launched an exciting new Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning program
in the 2018 school year in conjunction with Princeton University and TELEGRID, a New
Jersey-based cyber-security firm. Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning is an
emerging field in Computer Science that focuses on “teaching” computers how to learn to solve problems without
EXPANDING TECHNOLOGY SKILLS As a culminating activity to their electricity unit, fourth grade students wired coding them for a particular set of tasks. This advanced RKYHS program in Computer Science comprised a unique WATCHING AND LEARNING FROM
During one week in December, all classes in both Lower School and Middle School had the menorahs that they designed and built. Students built closed circuits with a cross-grade course approach involving students across the grade spectrum from ninth -twelfth grade. The A LIVE SURGERY
course involved both academic theory and hands-on collaboration in a real, ongoing AI/Machine Learn-
opportunity to participate in a “Week of Code.” The activities introduced students to computer switch to light each menorah. The designs and the material of the menorahs ing research project being executed by TELEGRID working with researchers at Princeton University. RKYHS Students participated in Liberty
science skills through age-appropriate programming games and activities. Students learned to were only limited to the students’ imagination. Science Center’s Live from Surgery program.
program computers, sequencing and logic skills and problem solving with unknown elements. Students narrated and filmed their demonstra- The project involved developing and directing a computer algorithm (program) to “learn” and
Led by the school’s Educational Technologist, Lower School and Middle School technology tions using a story board. identify characteristics of an individual user based on collection and analysis of non- By video conferencing into a live surgery at Overlook Hospital
classes helped students acquire key digital skills including keyboarding, document editing, personal identifier sensor data in order to confirm user identity in real time. Using this hands-on in Summit NJ, the students were led through a surgical procedure
slideshows, photo downloading and photo organization, spreadsheets, iMovie video editing, As part of the their science curriculum on approach and collaboration with TELEGRID, the program taught students methods and theory known as a laminectomy. Students asked the surgeon and his team
and video game development. In addition to the technology skills each student acquired, a planting and observations through the five in AI/Machine Learning and fostered mentoring relationships between students and industry questions while he performed this operation. Our students and the
heavy emphasis was placed on group exploration and collaborative learning. senses, Kindergarteners were excited about
their “Lima Bean Unit” where they studied the leaders. The program also underscored the RKYHS philosophy of “Learning Science by Doing surgeons discussed a variety of topics such as the importance of
STEM FAIR DISPLAYS SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS different parts of the bean and its lifecycle and Science” by putting students in a position to work on real world problems and perform real keeping the operating room and supplies sterile, various tools
were excited to plant their own beans INSIDE a ziploc bag without soil. The research at the very forefront of the field. used throughout the procedure, 3D printing options, possible
After spending two months learning about envi- inquisitive kindergarteners observed the lima beans as they grew and recorded
ronmental challenges and exploring different their observations. complications, bone grafts, monitoring the patient’s
potential solutions, the eighth grade students ENGINEERING CLASSES PRODUCE INNOVATIVE vitals, anesthesia levels
were able to show off their projects at a STEM and recovery.
Fair. The projects included topics such as: Solar CAPSTONE PROJECTS
Living, Wind Turbines, Solar Powered Cars, Hy- EXPLORING “DESIGN THINKING” RKYHS Engineering students worked on their Capstone Projects all year long, and in the process
draulic Bridges, Water Filters, Ocean Acidification, Sixth graders explored the power of renewable resources gained knowledge in circuitry and programming and how to use microcontrollers, microcom-
Biomimicry, Magnet Powered Trains, and Human in their classes. They collaborated on a STEM project to puters, and countless technology components. Equally important, they learned to persevere
and Magnet Powered Energy. Each project group learned about the science and engineering design and build a windmill that is capable of lifting a through frustration, to learn from mistakes, to find new ways to solve problems, and to present
behind their projects but also developed their own project proposals, plans and budgets inde- cup to a particular height from the floor, providing a technical information in a professional business setting. They presented their Capstone Projects
pendently, and learned how to face challenges that cropped up throughout the project devel- great opportunity for the students to expand their at the CIJE (Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education) annual Innovation Day Conference with
opment process. experience with ‘design thinking’ and improvisation. While approximately 40 other Jewish day schools. Examples of RKYHS Scientific Engineering and
EXAMINING CELL THEORY AND CELL STRUCTURE a detailed note of the design is required from students to BioEngineering student Capstone projects included: FeedBot, an automated device to help feed
people who can’t feed themselves using facial recognition software and a robotic arm, PillClock,
Seventh graders took part in an interactive unit on Cell Theory and Cell Structure. They learned help them develop their ability to design and to document a personalized, automatic pill reminder, Glucosalyzer, a glucose detector utilizing saliva instead
their thinking, there was also equal emphasis on how they
the parts of the microscope, and how to properly use it to look at microscopic organisms. They approached their working models. They were required of having to prick your finger, LoNess, a date rape drug detector, Sole of Fire, a snow boot with
then observed and identified various living organisms in pond water, looking at the cell struc- to look at their working models and constantly discover a metal boot which heats up to prevent slipping, ThermoCharge, a thermoelectric generator
tures of plants and animals that make up all living things. Students created posters and 3-D ways to improve it to make it more which converts heat from the phone into electricity to charge the phone, and more.
models to represent the structures they learned in class which laid the groundwork for their unit effective and economical.
on Ecology, Classification of Living Things and Genetics.
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