District 181 Students Featured in Apple iBook Created by Monroe Teacher

The artwork of five Monroe School students is featured in a recently released Apple iBook that was created by art teacher Theresa McGee. “One Best Thing - Inventing a Better World: Design Thinking Through STEAM Education” is available for download through iBooks and iTunes. Students with included work are Rei Hemmer, Jack Kobus, Drew Merz, Andy Munoz and Merideth Callahan. They are now fifth graders; their work was completed during the previous school year.

McGee explains that the book was created for 4th -12th grade educators of all disciplines who are interested in integrating the STEAM model into their curriculum. “STEAM education infuses creativity and design thinking into Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math subject areas. Connecting these subject areas allows the students to experience deeper, more meaningful learning while actively engaging in problem solving. The creative process begins by discovering the innovative designs of contemporary artists and how these ideas can be applied to solve problems in our world. The students discover how art and design are essential components to innovation through idea development, prototype visualization, and marketing strategies.”

The iBook description notes: In this project, students engage in design thinking to create an invention to make the world a better place. Visual imagery created on iPad apps is combined with audio recording in GarageBand to create enhanced podcasts to showcase students' STEAM learning with the world.

The idea for the iBook was formed last summer while McGee was attending the Apple Distinguished Educator Institute. “I spent considerable time developing ideas for a digital book that highlighted a lesson or idea worth sharing with other educators,” she says. “I am thrilled my book was chosen and highlighted in iBooks.” McGee’s text was among 100 chosen for publication out of 500 submissions of Apple Distinguished Educators from around the world.

McGee says that although the core of the book is founded in art education, it is appropriately categorized in the science and math section of the iBooks library. “Art connects to these other disciplines seamlessly,” she notes, “which is clearly demonstrated in One Best Thing.” 

When asked for his reaction to being included in the iBook, student Drew Merz says, “Its really cool that people around the world will get to see my invention idea and know it came from me first.”