Hands-on learning at Chaney STEM

By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Dwaylynn Wiley, 16, sits in front of his computer, soaking up information and following instructions from teacher Cory Rudibaugh.

“It’s easy now,” said the sophomore at Chaney Campus’

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math school. “The first time I used it, it was hard.”

So far, he’s enjoying the work in Rudibaugh’s Introduction to Engineering Design class.

“It’s a lot better than writing papers,” Dwaylynn said.

This marks the first year for the STEM and Visual and Performing Arts schools at Chaney. Students had to apply, be interviewed and/or audition to be selected. About 150 students are enrolled in STEM, and about 150 are in VPA.

“Any time you have students actually doing something, it’s more engaging,” said Pam Lubich, STEM coordinator. “The goal is to have all of our classes more hands-on and engaging for students.”

Rudibaugh said the students in his class are learning computer-assisted drawing.

The biggest challenge is getting people to think three-dimensionally, he said.

He grabbed a roll of paper towels, demonstrating that when sitting upright, it’s a rectangle, but turn it on its side and you have a circle.

Students need to learn to think in those terms to draw them, use the software and develop the projects.

Later this school year, the class will design and build carbon-dioxide-powered model cars and drag race them. They’ll also design a toy train using the computer.

Alexis Himons and Taylor Acierno, both 13, and Kayla Cole, 14, all eighth-graders in Sharon Ragan’s class, researched online as they worked on a class project.

The students selected an object — a hairbrush, light switch plate or watch — and have to draw it on paper, design it on the computer and model it.

Ragan said the students had to determine the dimensions for the project.

The girls said it’s fun but challenging.

“It’s a lot better doing something than just sitting here,” Kayla said. “This is the only class where we get to do something.”

Ryan Tayeh, 16, a junior in Carrie Sinkele’s class huddled over his computer, figuring out where to drill holes in a triangular peg board. The peg board will be a game where players move golf tees around the board.

Ryan used the computer program to map out the peg board and calculate the dimensions, figuring the locations of each hole.

All of the classes follow the Project Lead the Way curriculum which adheres to the Gateway to Technology program. The Gateway to Technology program is divided into distinct units covering automation and robotics, design and modeling and energy and the environment.

Rudibaugh believes the STEM curriculum prepares students for careers with companies such as General Motors, Lockheed Martin and Learjet.

He expects as his students become proficient with the CAD software, they’ll be teaching him.

“I guarantee they’ll come up with things faster than I do,” the teacher said.