Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Jim Belushi's Rogue River cabin preserves character of historic Elk picnic grounds ... Our View: Dispensaries appear to be good neighbors ... Flores-Zambrano pleads guilty in drug-trafficking case ... Jim Belushi's Rogue River cabin preserves character of historic Elk picnic grounds ... Our View: Dispensaries appear to be good neighbors ... Flores-Zambrano pleads guilty in drug-trafficking case ... EDUCATION Talent Middle School to launch School of Design and Innovation Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 12, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 12, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News TALENT — High interest in a new school within a school featuring STEM curriculum has prompted Talent Middle School to add a second science, technology, engineering, math option. A School of Design and Innovation will launch next fall with 50 seventh- and eighth-grade students, two teachers and two classrooms converted for the project-based learning. An additional 112 students will be able to take foundation STEM classes under Project Lead The Way, a program in 6,500 schools across the nation making its first appearance in the Rogue Valley. “We’re anticipate more applicants than we can accommodate (for the SDI),” said Vice Principal Patrick Couture, a former science teacher who led the effort to develop the school. Applications for the program are due by May 1. A committee of parents, business representatives and school personnel has developed SDI since January. Phoenix-Talent School Board members have endorsed the project, Couture said. “A lot of these kids have played with Legos and erector sets and computer games. Some of those kids will have aspirations in those directions, and this will allow them to play it out and see if they want to pursue them,” said Mark Stella, a member of the formation committee and president of Green Mountain Woodworks design and engineering. “The administration is open to allowing it to develop as to what the parents and teachers see as necessary,” said Stella. Three-dimensional printers and computer-assisted design and manufacturing programs are simple, relatively cheap and still fairly cutting-edge, Stella said. Students will tour his firm, and other collaboration with the program may develop. Students will spend all but one class period in SDI, with emphasis on projects. Traditional 45-minute periods will be abandoned to allow for extended work sessions. “We want to make sure we accept students who can work well together or very quickly learn that collaboration piece,” said Couture. Marcel d’Haem, currently a language arts teacher, has been selected as one of the SDI teachers. SDI must teach all areas of curriculum and d'Haem has endorsements in multiple subject areas, as well as a science background, Couture said. He’s also on the formation committee. A second teacher will be selected later. PLTW courses will be electives available to sixth- and seventh-graders. The first year, two foundation courses — Design and Modeling, and Automaton and Robotics — will be offered under PLTW’s Gateway program for middle schools. In 2016-17, the school would look at adding modules that might study computer science, energy and environment, flight and space, science of technology or green architecture. Teachers for the PTLW classes have not been chosen as the school looks at retirements and staff adjustments. Whoever is selected to teach will undergo two weeks of training at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls. Both grade levels would have two sections available with 28 students each. Curriculum budgets are covering both the new school and the new program. While each program will be on its own track, there will be a lot of commonality, Couture said. “There will be a little bit larger upfront costs cost for the first year,” he said. “Because of the current shop classes, we do have some of the supplies, so we will be able to save quite a bit of money.” School Board member Dawn Watson and her husband have offered their computer programming business, R. Watson and Associates, as a point of contact for trouble-shooting and other needs that may arise for SDI. Watson is on the formation committee. “Basically we are looking for business people that will partner with the school to help,” Watson said. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]   Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 12, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501