"Engineering in the real world": Tech engages Delphos students in new ways
Dec. 17—DELPHOS — Science at Delphos Middle School provides a hands-on learning experiences for students in fifth through eighth grades. Teacher Matt Spencer engages and empowers students to develop knowledge and skills they need to thrive. The classes involve computer science and engineering engaging students in hands-on activities, projects and problems; solving real-world challenges; and inspiring them to re-imagine how they see themselves.
The program started about five years ago when they closed the Landeck building. Teachers, including Spencer, were reassigned throughout the school system. The middle school principal asked Matt Spencer about a STEM program. They first looked at an established program but realized that it would be too cost prohibitive. That's when things really began to happen.
Spencer told his administrators to "Just let me make the class myself, I can do a better job." So he did. There were 20 students in that initial pilot program.
An experienced teacher having taught science for a number of years, Spencer knew the standards that needed to be included in the classroom. It started with a "Build of the Week," and grew from there. It was a really popular class. Kids were seeking out a way to be included in the class. Originally, it was a mix of grades and entry into the program was dependent on an individual's schedule.
A school levy was passed and COVID funds became available. Funding the new program allowed for expansion. Now the seventh grade students take a course called Design Modeling. They learn how to use a CAD system. There are 3D printers so whatever the students design can be made.
Spencer explained the course, "(It) is geared around solving actual, real problems. For example, the final project in that course, the kids were given a fictional cerebral palsy patient, seven-year-old Timmy and his physical therapy goals. The thing with physical therapy is that seven year olds really don't want to do boring, repetitive motions. So the project is they (the students) have to design a toy that while this kid is playing with it, he's performing physical therapy without realizing that he is performing physical therapy."
One group had a physical therapy goal of wrist flexion or extension. They made a kitchen play set that had skillets with pancakes and hamburgers. The kid is flipping what's in the skillet performing the physical therapy goals. But things were taken one step further. There is a difference between a 13-year-old in the class playing with the toys and and a seven-year old playing with the toys. So an arrangement was made with the Franklin Elementary School that their students would test all the toys made. Students were actually able to see how durable their designs were.
Expanding again this year, the program is based on automation and robotics. The students learn about mechanism, gear ratios, chain drives and pulleys. Then they learn coding. They learn how to make a computer understand what it is to do. Spencer said, " It's literally engineering in the real world. One of the groups made a traffic light that shines green, yellow and red in a continuous pattern unless an emergency vehicle approaches with an override signal making the light stay red."
The middle school science program is now influencing the high school's curriculum. The high school now is looking at an introduction to engineering course. It's a similar course but the level of difficulty is enhanced and the tools are more complex. In the future, the high school is looking at adding a computer science course, a manufacturing course and an environmental sustainability course.
"It's wild where we were four years ago, struggling just to have anything. Now we have the state of the art available to us."
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409
