"What if we had mobile kits that middle school teachers could use to help students explore our high school pathways," RCS Chief Academic Officer asked the Center for Deeper Learning. Fast forward a year and many Amazon deliveries funded by the Expanding Opportunities for Every Child Grant and 25 Pathways Kits were deployed between Hannah Ashton Middle School, STEM Middle at Baldwin Road, Waggoner Road Middle School and Waggoner Road Junior High School.
Mr. Thomie Timmons and Ms. Isabel Bozada-Jones met with middle level teachers to explain the contents of the kits, the lessons they are attached to and the rotation schedule. Each building will get approximately six kits and the kits will rotate among the schools every couple of months or so to ensure students experience each kit.
Every school will receive a Green Screen kit for their building, which include video cameras and green screens to create performances, videos and understand different technology.
All of the kits align with pathways offered at Reynoldsburg High School. For Allied Health, there is a Bodies kit which can be used for anatomy or health and wellness lessons. The Germination and Gardening kits align with the Agriculture pathways and offer lessons about food security, nutrition and more.
For students interested in arts, there is a 3D art kit which has 3D pens and filament that can create 3D objects in minutes. Students can create prototypes, study architecture and more.
During the presentation at Hannah Ashton Middle School, Science Teacher Ms. Rahm was very excited about the Van de Graaf Energy kit. "This is COSI-level equipment," she said. Van de Graaf machines simulate weather conditions and students can discuss the importance of energy in the world around us.
HAMS Teachers Ms. Rahm and Dr. Fall explore the pathway kits
ELA Teacher Dr. Mawdo Fall was interested in the Crime Scene/Criminology kit and Global Percussion kit. "Forensics is a popular path these days," he said. "Also, any time I can incorporate music into lessons is great."
From Collaborative Weaving to Robotics, Solar Cooking to Criminology, students will be exposed to the 13 pathways offered prior to freshman year, preparing them for college, careers and life after graduation.