Tech department ramps up program at Weston High School
Written by Terry Castellano
Friday, 03 July 2009 00:00
Utilizing a school improvement initiative entitled Project Lead the Way, Weston High School will move toward its goal of encouraging students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through its technology education program.
At the June 23 school board meeting, John Drummond, math and science curriculum and instructional leader, and Tom Scarice, assistant superintendent, described a four-year technology education program that will be put into place in the upcoming school year.
The program, Project Lead the Way, was launched in 1997 by an engineer in upstate New York, who created it to address a shortage of engineers in the United States.
Relevant
But, according to Mr. Drummond, the rigor and relevancy of the program, coupled with activity- and problem-based instruction, was found to be an effective means of education improvement across the entire spectrum of science, technology and mathematics curricula.
Weston High School will offer a first year technology education course titled “An Introduction to Engineering Design.” After satisfactory completion of this full-year course, students may move on to “Principals of Engineering Design” and then “Digital Electronics.”
The fourth-year curriculum may offer a variety of choices, including aerospace engineering, Mr. Drummond said.
The Tri-State Consortium, which recently reviewed the district’s science program, recommended the school district continue to address differentiation of instruction, inquiry-based instruction and encouragement of students to consider science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.
According to Mr. Drummond, Project Lead the Way is a good way to address the issues raised by the consortium while encouraging and challenging high school students in the areas of the sciences, technology and mathematics.
“This is a hands-on, action-oriented program,” Mr. Drummond said.
Since its inception 12 years ago, he said, there are now more than 3,000 schools involved in Project Lead the Way, including New Canaan.
According to their Web site, Project Lead the Way also has a biomedical component.
Recruited
A teacher specializing in technology education has already been recruited and hired by the Weston school district and will be specifically trained for this program.
Board member Dick Bochinski asked if there was any corporate sponsorship in terms of cost sharing.
Mr. Drummond said corporations are interested in working with the students, but, at the moment, there is no outside funding.
“We are looking toward that connection,” Mr. Drummond responded.
“I like this; it’s a truly relevant program,” board member Joe Fitzpatrick said. “I’m glad you’re ramping this up.”
“This is very exciting,” board member Dana Levin, added.
Phil Schaefer, board vice-chairman, asked if the high school had all the technological hardware and software needed to assist the program in a successful launching.
Mr. Drummond said the high school already has the technology needed. “It is all up to date
