Salem School Gets STEM Grant From Toshiba

From The Phoenix School: The Phoenix School is pleased to announce it has received a $3,700 STEM grant from the Toshiba America Foundation (TAF). These funds will support the purchase of SeaPerch Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) equipment to support a community after school engineering program. This program will is designed for students in grade 5-8th grade.

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that supports teachers to guide their students to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in either a classroom or out-of-school setting. Students build the ROV from a kit comprised of low-cost, easily accessible parts, following a curriculum that teaches science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with a marine engineering theme. Throughout the project, students will learn engineering concepts, problem solving, design skills, and teamwork. In addition, they are exposed to all the exciting careers that are possible in naval architecture and marine/ocean engineering.

Students will be challenged to design, engineering and build an model remotely operated vehicle (ROV), using a Sea Perch Kit. SeaPerch equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Students will be required to work in teams and will design, propose, and build their blueprint. Once their ROV is built students will make necessary modifications as needed to perfect their vehicle for competition.

Building a SeaPerch ROV teaches basic skills in ship and submarine design, and encourages students to explore naval architecture and ocean engineering principles. Additionally, students gain knowledge of tool safety and technical procedures. This program…

• Is a hands-on educational program for Middle and High School Students,
• Is fun and challenging,
• Is a curriculum that meets national learning standards,
• Integrates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics),
• Provides training for teachers,
• Builds teamwork and inspires young minds, and
• Introduces STEM career discussions.

Students learn best by doing; and during the SeaPerch program they follow steps to completely assemble an underwater ROV. After the SeaPerch ROV is constructed, students are encouraged to test their vehicles, deploy them on missions, and compete in a competition (a SeaPerch Challenge), to take what they have learned to the next level.

“What student wouldn’t rather be building an ROV over sitting at a desk with a worksheet? Giving students the opportunity to actively learn allows them to be more engaged and involved in the learning process, rather than passive learners. Working with others encourages collaboration. I am excited for our learners to have the opportunity to learn, present, and teacher others to reach a wide range of students in our community.” Head of School Leslie Levesque.

Toshiba America Foundation’s grants fund projects designed by individual classroom teachers. This “direct-to-teacher” approach brings immediate results. Teachers are able to change the way they teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects because the grant supports equipment for hands-on experiments and inquiry-based approaches to the curriculum. At TAF, we believe that STEM is a lot more fun than just reading a textbook. TAF grants provide teachers with the tools they need to be more effective educators. The grants make the classroom a more exciting place for both teachers and students.

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