Colerain school district takes steps to improve math scores
After just a single semester, the effects of a new math program at Northwest Local School District in Colerain are already visible.
Sixth through eighth grade students in 18 classes in the school district are participating in a math class that uses robots to instruct and reinforce certain concepts. The students in those classes are already showing higher scores on math achievement tests, compared to the semester before.
Funding for the new robotics program came from a grant from the Straight A Fund, administered by the state of Ohio. The program uses C-STEM, which combines mathematics, engineering, and computing science technology.
Thanks to the grant money, the classrooms received a smart whiteboard, 28 Linkbots (small robots) and 28 ThinkPads in each of the classrooms. The school district partnered with Harry Cheng, the director of the UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education. Over the summer, teachers learned how to use the technology and robots as part of their classroom teaching.
Schools that see a spike in student performance can use banner printing to highlight students'
achievements. The banners can be printed with the average score received by students on tests.
Although improved test scores are one benefit of the new C-STEM program, teachers are seeing other benefits. An applied math teacher at White Oak Middle School, Scott Fortkamp, stated that his students are learning to work together, figure things out, and ultimately solve problems.
Sixth through eighth grade students in 18 classes in the school district are participating in a math class that uses robots to instruct and reinforce certain concepts. The students in those classes are already showing higher scores on math achievement tests, compared to the semester before.
Funding for the new robotics program came from a grant from the Straight A Fund, administered by the state of Ohio. The program uses C-STEM, which combines mathematics, engineering, and computing science technology.
Thanks to the grant money, the classrooms received a smart whiteboard, 28 Linkbots (small robots) and 28 ThinkPads in each of the classrooms. The school district partnered with Harry Cheng, the director of the UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education. Over the summer, teachers learned how to use the technology and robots as part of their classroom teaching.
Schools that see a spike in student performance can use banner printing to highlight students'
achievements. The banners can be printed with the average score received by students on tests.
Although improved test scores are one benefit of the new C-STEM program, teachers are seeing other benefits. An applied math teacher at White Oak Middle School, Scott Fortkamp, stated that his students are learning to work together, figure things out, and ultimately solve problems.