Two New STEM Courses Brought to ICJA
By Jacob Miller
Ida Crown now offers two new STEM courses, one for freshman and one for upperclassmen. Science, technology, engineering, and math classes (STEM) is an increasingly popular subject in schools, designed to teach students the skills they need to be successful in innovative careers of the modern world. “The school has been trying to incorporate more problem based learning…” said Jonathan Keller, who is teaching the freshman STEM class; “Now, all of a sudden, these STEM courses have been made where students have to complete multiple projects throughout the year.”
Rabbi Binyamin Segal teaches Digital Design and Innovation, a course for juniors and seniors devoted to teaching the art and science behind digitally designing 2D and 3D objects. Keller teaches STEM Engineering, Computer Programming, and Creative Design, a course for freshmen that teaches engineering through computer programming and technology. Both courses are project based: students are expected to complete projects incorporating the lessons they’ve learned.
Digital Design and Innovation, a one semester course, teaches students to handle the hardware and software behind a 3D printer and a 2D cutter that cuts paper and thin wood. The first quarter will be devoted to learning the use of the tools and the second quarter will allow students to be creative and complete an independent project with their newly learned skills. Segal explains: “This class is one more piece of the technological and digital revolution. It empowers individuals by making tools accessible that used to only be found in research facilities.”
Keller’s year long- class teaches students how to program a computer microprocessor in an arduino, a device that turns circuits on and off. Using this tool, students will learn to create technology such as stop lights, pH sensors, and temperature sensors. Keller hopes to bring some of these devices to his AP Chemistry class for use in experiments. Starting in February, students in Keller’s STEM class will begin working independently to create a technological product they think is useful in the modern world. They will research the industry, consider the viability of their product, and create their design. Students will present their devices in May, along with students from Rochelle Zell High School and Hannah Sacks in a contest. Freshman Ezra Landman-Feigelson said “I don't feel quite prepared yet, but hopefully by that time I will, and I'll win that thing.” Keller hopes this project will teach students “what the real world is like, as opposed to a classroom setting.”
These new classes join several other STEM classes offered at ICJA. Last year, students and faculty met to discuss the future of technology at Ida Crown. Their meeting resulted in Segal’s design class, a course based off a similar class offered at Lane Tech. Segal also received inspiration from hundreds of other teachers at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference, where he had the opportunity to speak with many others about STEM implementation in schools.
Keller’s freshman class is led by the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE), an organization that has been developing the curriculum for this class for years, and has started implementing the course in the U.S. five years ago. The administration decided to create the class and has received partial funding from CIJE to enable the course.
Students enrolled in these STEM classes have been enthusiastic regarding the project based, untraditional nature of the class. “It’s a really different type of class because it’s project based and individualized,” said senior Gail Schneiderman, a student enrolled in Digital Design and Innovation. Senior Siva Albom, also taking Segal’s design class, said, , “This class allows me to think while being creative. I don’t really have an opportunity to be creative in my other classes. At least not like this.”
This year, both new STEM classes are small, but Rabbi Segal said, “I hope students take advantage of this opportunity (the new STEM courses) as the years go on.” Keller too remarked, “When students start seeing what we will be doing, I’m sure next year, there will be a great demand for the course.”
Rabbi Binyamin Segal teaches Digital Design and Innovation, a course for juniors and seniors devoted to teaching the art and science behind digitally designing 2D and 3D objects. Keller teaches STEM Engineering, Computer Programming, and Creative Design, a course for freshmen that teaches engineering through computer programming and technology. Both courses are project based: students are expected to complete projects incorporating the lessons they’ve learned.
Digital Design and Innovation, a one semester course, teaches students to handle the hardware and software behind a 3D printer and a 2D cutter that cuts paper and thin wood. The first quarter will be devoted to learning the use of the tools and the second quarter will allow students to be creative and complete an independent project with their newly learned skills. Segal explains: “This class is one more piece of the technological and digital revolution. It empowers individuals by making tools accessible that used to only be found in research facilities.”
Keller’s year long- class teaches students how to program a computer microprocessor in an arduino, a device that turns circuits on and off. Using this tool, students will learn to create technology such as stop lights, pH sensors, and temperature sensors. Keller hopes to bring some of these devices to his AP Chemistry class for use in experiments. Starting in February, students in Keller’s STEM class will begin working independently to create a technological product they think is useful in the modern world. They will research the industry, consider the viability of their product, and create their design. Students will present their devices in May, along with students from Rochelle Zell High School and Hannah Sacks in a contest. Freshman Ezra Landman-Feigelson said “I don't feel quite prepared yet, but hopefully by that time I will, and I'll win that thing.” Keller hopes this project will teach students “what the real world is like, as opposed to a classroom setting.”
These new classes join several other STEM classes offered at ICJA. Last year, students and faculty met to discuss the future of technology at Ida Crown. Their meeting resulted in Segal’s design class, a course based off a similar class offered at Lane Tech. Segal also received inspiration from hundreds of other teachers at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference, where he had the opportunity to speak with many others about STEM implementation in schools.
Keller’s freshman class is led by the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE), an organization that has been developing the curriculum for this class for years, and has started implementing the course in the U.S. five years ago. The administration decided to create the class and has received partial funding from CIJE to enable the course.
Students enrolled in these STEM classes have been enthusiastic regarding the project based, untraditional nature of the class. “It’s a really different type of class because it’s project based and individualized,” said senior Gail Schneiderman, a student enrolled in Digital Design and Innovation. Senior Siva Albom, also taking Segal’s design class, said, , “This class allows me to think while being creative. I don’t really have an opportunity to be creative in my other classes. At least not like this.”
This year, both new STEM classes are small, but Rabbi Segal said, “I hope students take advantage of this opportunity (the new STEM courses) as the years go on.” Keller too remarked, “When students start seeing what we will be doing, I’m sure next year, there will be a great demand for the course.”