Most of us have never purposely removed the innards of any computer just to see what pieces fit where, or how each complex element is intentionally connected to another. A group of students from the Greater Ithaca Activities Center are doing just that -- spending six weeks this spring removing, identifying, labeling and reassembling the hardware of old computers to learn how the major components work in synchrony as one powerful device.

The project director Lora Hine is manager of Xraise, the education and public outreach program at CHESS. Xraise will be working in collaboration with the principal of the Beverly J. Martin (BJM) Elementary School and the second/third grade teacher teams at BJM Elementary School, part of the Ithaca City School District.

Working with pK-12 educators in the local Ithaca City School District and beyond, Xraise is serves as a resource for classroom teachers. Teachers interested in building upon existing learning materials have teamed up with Xraise staff and volunteers to enhance students’ conceptual understanding of science while exploring engineering design practices. Design-based learning opportunities build on students’ existing science knowledge; giving them opportunities for hands-on learning, and the development of higher-order thinking and skills.

“Who wants to see if they are a Zombie?” asks Professor Carl Franck, causing all twelve Girl Scouts in the room to look up from their work and stare in bewilderment.  “Let’s go outside and see if you are really alive by using a TV satellite dish to measure your body heat!”  Still doubtful, a handful of girls get out of their seats and walk excitedly towards the door, following Professor Franck outside.

Through this program, high school teachers can borrow laboratory equipment to use in their science classes free of charge, for up to a week: “The goal of this initiative is to give high school teachers access to technology similar to that used in the CHESS research facility," states Lora Hine, director of Education and Outreach at CLASSE.