Makerspace, Design, Technology

STEAM - Always Human Centered

The Westfield Friends Makerspace, Design, and Technology curriculums prepare students for their future by introducing them to robotics, cyber citizenship, coding, design thinking, and engineering. Students learn to test their programs and ideas with the people who might use or need their design. Relevant Digital Citizenship topics will also be discussed. We keep the focus on student creativity by having ideation, organization, first and second drafts, and information gathering almost always happen in post-it notes, large newsprint, and paper and pencil.

OWLS LAB

OWLS is an acronym for Observe, Wonder, Learn, and Share--the learning actions we strive to foster while problem-solving and brainstorming in the makerspace. Our students are encouraged to observe the world around them, wonder how they can make a difference, learn about various ways to solve any problems they see, then share their solutions with their peers, the community, or the broader world! Our teachers collaborate with their colleagues to integrate design challenges across the curriculum.

TECHNOLOGY

Depending on the grade, the following skills are taught to grades 2nd to 8th:

Read/write (code) basic computer programs on various platforms
Debug a program

Identifying and fixing errors in computer code

Manipulate and enhance images via photography applications
Create their own music/mashups through music applications
Build and program a robot to complete a certain task
Design and print various 3D models using TinkerCad
Create a business plan and website for their product
Develop better teamwork skills
Develop robust Digital Citizenship skills
- Understand the uses, strengths, weaknesses, and ethical implications of generative AI
- Identifying credible/non-credible sources, how to use Google Scholar/databases to find information, etc.
- What does it mean to be part of a digital community? How do you respect/represent yourself professionally in an online space?

Internet Safety
Digital Footprint
Privacy/Security
Strategies to Address Cyberbullying
Plagiarism/Copyright Law
Information Literacy
Relationships/Communication

DIGITAL TOOLS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES

We are a personal device-free school for all of our students. We want our students to be fully engaged and present here in our physical spaces. Every student in grades two through eight is assigned a Chromebook for use throughout the year. First-grade students have access to iPads, which they use for math practice and the occasional game. The early childhood years, Preschool, Prek, and Kindergarten are screen-free.