Alex Hartley's
E-portfolio
The experiences of a science educator in the Boston Area
6-12 Early College STEM Academy
The Dearborn is a Boston Public School. In the 2013-2014 school year, they became a middle and a high school. I taught their 9th grade STEM Enrichment class once a week.
Fall 2013-Spring 2014
At the Dearborn, I taught a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Career Exploration Enrichment class. We did a variety of engineering activities, including building roller coasters out of paper (from paperrollercoasters.com) and building bridges out of popsicle sticks. We also took field trips to places like the MIT Media Lab and Google Cambridge.
Program Summary:
-During school
-STEM enrichment class
My take-aways:
-Designing a curriculum from scratch
-Creating and teaching engaging lessons that will hold students' attention last period on Friday afternoon
-Connections with people working in STEM careers in the Boston area
Science Club for Girls
This program strives to increase the number of women in science-related fields by giving elementary-aged girls positive experiences with science and building leadership skills in middle school students. It is a free after-school program run through Cambridge and Boston public schools and community organizations. The program I worked at was held at the King Open School in East Cambridge. Participants were several middle school “junior mentors” and a diverse group of 3rd graders.
January - May 2013
-Led a group of six 3rd graders and two middle school aged “Junior Mentors” in a science activity focused on Magnets and Circuits
-Met with the Junior Mentors for an hour after each session to reflect on the day and plan for the following session
-Developed a display activity for the “Everybody Loves Science” event at the end of the semester.
Program Summary:
-After school
-Science enrichment
-Value of older youth as leaders
My take-aways:
-Implementing science lessons for elementary students
-Working with middle school Junior Mentors to plan lessons
-Leading hands-on activities for elementary aged students
Urban STEM Education
Students in my April Vacation Program looking through telescopes to see what they could see in their neighborhood.
Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion
A community organization that helps people build their own economic power through education, economic development, technology, and arts programming. The El Batey Computer Center is a community computer center that provides open access, courses and workshops for the community. IBA is located in the Villa Victoria Housing Development, which is home to a large Puerto-Rican and Chinese immigrant population. Many of IBA’s programs are conducted in both Spanish and English.
Boston Public Schools April Vacation Program at the El Batey Computer Center
Plan, lead and teach an April Vacation Camp for middle school students called Youth Capture the Colorful Cosmos (with a curriculum designed by the Timothy Smith Network) where students learn about astronomy, outer space, and how to request and process images from a Harvard Telescope
Program summary:
-Week long vacation week program
-For middle school students
-Astronomy-focused
My take-aways:
-Knowledge of how a specific Harvard telescope works and how it can be used by the general public
-Experience manipulating images using MicroObservatory software
-Planning and teaching lessons based on an existing curriculum
Keeping curiosity is absolutely indispensable for us to continue to be or become.
~ Paolo Freire, We Make the Road by Walking
What can you do to help students learn to work better with their peers?
How does an organization's mission change the way they define success?
What factors contribute to a successful after school program?
Where is the balance between activities that are fun and activities that are sure to result in learning? How does this change for programs that don't happen during school?
What can you do to increase student motivation and engagement?
How does the time and day of a class impact students' focus and motivation?
As a teacher, what should you do with the students who are not engaged? What is your responsibility or obligation?