R.B. district leads middle schoolers into the future

RED BANK — Beginning this month, all fourth- through eighth-grade students at Red Bank Middle School will participate in an innovative new program called Project Lead the Way (PLTW).

This new course of study is supported through grant funding and integrates science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while engaging students in rigorous inquiry-based learning activities.

“In the summer, we prepared for PLTW, a stimulating and innovative program designed to make the integration of science, mathematics, engineering and technology fun for all students,” said Superintendent of Schools Laura Morana during an interview on Aug. 31.

According to Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction John Bombardier, PLTW targets middle and high schools to provide a rigorous, relevant STEM education.

“Through an engaging, hands-on curriculum, PLTW encourages the development of problem-solving skills, critical thinking, creative and innovative reasoning and a love of learning,” Bombardier said in an interview Aug. 12.

According to Morana, the PLTW program gives students a brighter future by providing them with a foundation and path to high school, college and career success in STEM-related fields.

Bombardier explained that PLTW integrates a variety of instructional methodologies, including group activities, projects, problem-based learning centers, and handson projects that have real-world application.

“The curriculum makes math and science relevant and strives to help students understand how everyday skills they learn in the classroom may be applied in their future careers and lives,” Bombardier said.

Students learn by using methods, adopting attitudes and applying skills as scientists and engineers do when conducting research.

“Students are able to find their own problems and generate their own questions, formulate their own hypothesis, [and] design and implement their own methods for testing their hypothesis by using data to answer their own original questions,” Bombardier said.

“They get involved in experiments just like scientists would,” Morana added. “I know our students will enjoy the program.”

PLTW units of study consist of Design and Modeling, Automation and Robotics, and Energy and the Environment.

During the first marking period, students in grades four and five will study unit one, Design and Modeling, and unit two, Energy and the Environment. Students in grades six through eight will study unit one and Automation and Robotics in the first marking period.

Bombardier explained that the Design and Modeling unit uses solid modeling software to introduce students to the design process. Utilizing this design approach, students gain an understanding of how design influences their lives.

Students also learn sketching techniques and use descriptive geometry as a component of design, measurement and computer modeling, he explained. Students brainstorm, research, develop ideas, create models, test and evaluate design ideas and communicate solutions.

In the Automation and Robotics unit, students trace the history, development and influence of automation and robotics.

“They learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation and computer control systems,” Morana said. “The students acquire knowledge and skills through problem solving, teamwork, collaboration and innovation.”

In the Energy and the Environment unit, students investigate the importance of energy in their lives and the impact that using energy has on the environment.

“They design and model alternative energy sources and participate in energy fairs to demonstrate energy concepts and innovative ideas,” Bombardier explained. “Students evaluate ways to reduce energy consumption through energy efficiency and waste-management technology.”

Over the summer, teachers participated in two weeks of PLTW training at Rowan University. PLTW teachers will receive ongoing support through webinars throughout the year.

“We began looking into this [PLTW] one-and-a-half years ago,” Morana said. “A great deal of thinking and planning has gone into this initiative.”

Morana and Bombardier, along with other school officials, visited schools that currently use the PLTW program at the middle school and high school levels.

“We visited the high school to research the transition that our middle school students will make to Red Bank Regional High School [RBR],” said Morana, who said she hopes the program encourages students to pursue the academies at RBR.

“PLTW fits in beautifully with RBR’s Academy of Information Technology Systems,” Morana said. “There’s an alignment there, and our students should consider applying to that academy. It’s a great opportunity for them to think about their future.”