Science and Innovation Fair

Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth graders brought in projects based on the theme: Inventions! Science and Engineering Solutions to Solve Real-World Problems last week at our annual Science Fair. This year, we renamed it Science and Innovation Fair to further emphasis that our fair would not be the same old science fair model. Students were challenged to create and think about world problems using science and tech.

Some students designed 3D prototypes of their inventions in Tinkercad to print out on our 3D printer.

We also incorporated "Innovation Stations" in which students talked about the technology we've been using in class for Science and Technology. They demonstrated how the 3D printer works.  They also showed how to use Makey Makey to control Pac-Man game. Foldscopes were also a hit with students showing their parents and younger siblings how to use the origami microscopes developed by Stanford that we have been helping beta test this year.

What really makes this PBL to me is the amount of ownership that students had in it as well as connections to the real world. From choosing what world issue was important to them to dreaming up high-tech solutions and designing their own creations, students were in the drivers' seats.They were really invested and had to make connections to real world problems (along with emerging technologies). They also ran the Innovation Station tours explaining their work to the community. Here's a link to what two sixth graders wrote about the event in our sixth grade blog "Proud to be LE": http://le6th.blogspot.com/2015/03/science-and-innovation-fair-by-shreya.html

Student Performances Round 1

After collaboratively writing their scripts in google docs and applying their newfound acting skills in rehearsals, students performed their original plays for both peers and parents. We organize a Renaissance Faire every year for our 7th and 8th graders to share their medieval/renaissance artwork and digital projects from Expressions, History, Technology and ELA classes. In front of this large school community audience, our 8th graders performed their plays. 

Little Red Riding Hood performing on the indoor stage

Outdoor stage audience

The following day, we set aside the afternoon for our 8th graders to perform for each other in our Library Media Center. 

Beauty and the Beast at our Library Media Center
8th grade performance afternoon

Following the performances, students voted for the top 3 plays that were performed for the First and 2nd Graders at STAR academy on April 22. Below, you can view an example of one of the performances: The Little Mermaid.

Shakespeare for the Digital Age

To wrap up our 7th Grade World History unit on the Renaissance, students (in small groups) selected, researched, and adapted a play by William Shakespeare into an iMovie trailer for a modern audience. Before filming, each group was required to storyboard their adaption, to ensure that they touched upon the larger points of the play, as well as made use of all of the time allotted by the iMovie trailer templates. I utilized a wonderful source for individualized storyboards to fit all of the various templates in iMovie Trailer (here). for Finally, students spent a few days filming their video trailers using iPads. These were shown during class during a mini film festival, as well as during our annual Renaissance Faire held after school for family to attend.

Romeo and Juliet

Othello

Macbeth

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Field Trip Inspiration

In planning for our Modern Fairytale performances, we took our 8th graders on a trip to Ashland, Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival. It gave our students the opportunity to explore a college campus, attend theatre workshops and analyze both a modernization of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and the classic musical, Guys and Dolls.

The excitement from the trip was awesome. Students loved the performances and were able to discuss elements that they wanted to include in their own Fairytale performances. Despite the "language barrier" of the Shakespeare performance, students understood the story line and laughed aloud at the banter between Beatrice and Benedick. The set design, music and choreography of the two performances inspired students to think beyond the box in this project.

The workshops were especially meaningful. Students had professional actors and a make-up artist lead them through elements of a production. From Stage Fighting to Stage Make-up, they got first hand experience and practice.

Modernizing Fairy Tales- Actors Workshop

There are many ways in which our students feel comfortable performing. Some students perform as leaders within a group setting or as individual role models within the classroom. Some students perform as mentors, guiding and directing their peers towards a common goal. Some students perform on our sports teams, representing our school with pride both on and off campus. Leading Edge Academy students have many performance opportunities.

However, when it comes the Performing Arts, not all students feel comfortable with the idea of performing on stage in front of a live audience. One key element that Cary Zierenberg and I discussed when collaborating on the Modernization of Fairy Tales was to create that sense of comfort and safety that would allow all students to feel confident stepping out of their shell and assuming another role. We realized that this basic element was critical in order to engage all students.

Luckily for us, we share a campus with the amazing Performing and Fine Arts Academy! With the help of Tyra Simone, the Senior Project Advisor, we enlisted the help of senior Chazz Distefano who will lead our students through a 10- hour Actors Workshop in the Expressive Arts Classroom. This workshop will lead right up to the day that the 8th grade class leaves for the Ashland Shakespeare Festival field trip. We believe that the momentum gained from these rich experiences will cultivate a culture of appreciation for the performing arts and provide students with the skills necessary to produce and perform.