WCDS Seeks to Expand Technology Curriculum
Given the active and emerging importance of technology, Westchester recognizes the need for more substantial technology offerings within its academic program.
To provide students with the fundamentals and skills needed to pursue advanced knowledge and enter competitive university programs, the school is seeking to enhance the current technology curriculum, equipment and learning space through a matching gift opportunity from the Edward E. Ford Foundation of New York. With $50,000 raised by WCDS, the foundation will match those funds to total $100,000 for the new technology vision.
Current Offerings
The current technology curriculum begins in kindergarten with technology class offered once per week throughout the year and integrated into a science lab students participate in every other week.
The exposure continues in Middle School with elective offerings, and all sixth and seventh grade students participate in a robotics lab that provides students with foundational knowledge of the engineering design process (EDR). Students are also introduced to Python and HTML programming.
In Upper School, computer science offerings are AP Computer Science A JAVA and AP Computer Science Principles. Intro to Python and Intro to HTML will be offered for the first time next year.
There are also robotics teams that have the opportunity to compete in the VEX IQ Challenge program (Lower/Middle). Upper School offers a Competitive Robotics elective, which competes at the VEX EDR level.
These are special opportunities for WCDS students to build their knowledge through hands-on learning and practical skills relevant to related career fields, yet there is a vision for growing the program more.
Looking to the Future
With the grant funding secured, WCDS plans to establish two academic tracks in the Upper School.
The Computer Science track will provide students the opportunity to learn the basics of programming and a broad understanding of computing and its applications. Students completing this track will be prepared to pursue a post- secondary degree in engineering, math or the sciences.
The Robotics & Engineering track will provide students with hands-on engineering and design experience with the option to compete in regional competitions on weekends with teams from around the state. Students successfully completing this track will master skills like analysis and problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership
Equipment and space are needed to better implement these programs. The WCDS campus master plan and Westchester Forward campaign include additional classroom space that would make four classrooms available on the same hall as the existing technology labs. Using this space would create a technology wing in Phillips Hall. Grant funds would support renovating the existing space and purchasing furniture and fixtures.
Grant funds also would support the equipment needed to implement each of the academic tracks. Specifically, the Computer Science track will require a RobotLAB NAO V6 Starter Kit, five docking stations, and professional development for faculty. NAO robots would be used throughout the program, exposing students to an alternative form of robotics focused on programming. These robots have the ability to handle Python, C++, JAVA, and other coding languages. Docking stations allow the robots to be stored and automatically charged between use. As with any new technology, professional development will be needed to assist the faculty implementing this new curriculum.
Implementing the Robotics track will require funding for the VEX V5 Super Bundle, VEX V5 Competition Super Kit, and VEX VCR Field. The VEX V5 Super Bundle provides the course materials to teach the fundamentals of the engineering design process (EDP). Standards-aligned STEM labs will help develop how students approach critical thinking and problem solving. The VEX V5 Competition Super Kit will allow the competitive robotics team to apply their skills in regional competitions that will challenge their ability to design, document and compete. The VEX VCR Field is a 12-by-12-foot area and will allow the competition team to practice and field test their designs.
What's Next
To move forward, WCDS must raise $50,000 in matching funds by July 31. When successful, this $100,000 will provide a significant portion of the funding needed to implement plans to enhance the academic pillar of the school's mission and encourage lifelong learning in this area.
If you are interested in learning more or supporting these efforts, please contact Kate Moser, director of development, at [email protected] or by calling her directly at 336-822-4021. To give, visit https://giving.veracross.com/wcds/give/Tech.
