The Ithaca City School District consulted with the Xraise team to select two design activities addressing electricity and magnetism as part of the New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS). Teachers discovered how loudspeakers operate and explored the photoelectric effect through the investigation of solar cells. The activities provide engineering design curriculum for teachers, and eventually hands-on activities for students, by enabling teachers to build inexpensive speakers made out of paper cups and cars from kits that are powered by solar panels.
In addition to building loudspeaker and solar-powered car prototypes, the teachers listened to a presentation from lab scientist Adam Bartnick about solar cells and a talk about accelerator cavities presented by physics graduate student James Maniscalco. The teachers discussed ways to integrate the content and activities in their science and technology classrooms while addressing the new NYSSLS. According to 8th grade teacher Patti Connor, “I left with lots of information, new ideas to use in my classroom, and a renewed feeling that what I do is important. I am motivated knowing that I have your (Xraise) support in content and resources that I can use. Thank you!”
The design activities were also presented at the Summer Science Snapshot for Youth program hosted August 8th and 9th, to 28 middle school students from West Genesee Central School District (Syracuse, NY) and Tully Central School District (Tully, NY) to practice content delivery collect feedback on student usage, and informally measure student engagement and performance.