Stepping Outside of our Comfort Zone

Having only a rubric to guide their creativity was a new concept to our Falcons!  Our learners are so used to being told what their final products should include, down to the exact location of where to put their name.  Rather than giving exact requirements, guiding questions were given to the learners of Room 27.  

As learners embarked on creating their solutions, they were asked to focus on what STEM meant to them, why were were focusing on STEM careers, what learning looked like during the 2016-2017 school, how technology had enhanced their learning environments and most of all how could one pursue a higher education, without going into debt.

On Friday, May 26, just 20 instructional days after our learners were first asked to create a solution to our driving question:

"In 2017, learners are being encouraged to become responsible global citizens by being innovative and creative in their ideas of the future.  However, it is expensive to obtain STEM training needed to be successful.  With the increasing amount of personal debt the average American has, how might we increase the amount collected in savings so that a person will graduate from college debt-free?"

Our Falcons grabbed the problem with both hands and created outstanding visuals, both digital and concrete, of their findings and solutions.  The pride of our learners was heard throughout the cafeteria as they shared their solutions to various stakeholders.  Parents, BISD administrators and teachers were seen walking around the cafeteria, speaking with our Falcons as they shared their learning.

Overall, the past 20 school days have made me proud to be a member of the NRMS math department.  I'm grateful to work with other educators who are willing to take risks and step out of their comfort zone, trying their first PBL.  I'm grateful for our administrative team and campus digital specialist for supporting both the teachers and learners as we embark on new learning opportunities.  Most of all, I'm grateful for the learners of Room 27, as they let go of traditional "school" and embraced 21st century learning.  They make me proud to be their teacher!