Westfield teachers from elementary through high school prepared for the new school year by attending workshops on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), providing them with ideas, resources and inspiration to engage students in inquiry-based experiences.
Presenter Robert Marshall from the Carnegie Science Center discussed design principles and Chris Anderson of the New Jersey Technology Education Association provided hands-on and collaborative projects for the teachers, including the design of an emergency flashlight. Stated Rudy Scipioni, Physics teacher at Westfield High School, “We are going through the steps that are universal to the engineering design process. It looks like we (at Westfield High School) are ahead of the curve.”
Added colleague and fellow Physics teacher Carol Wenk, “We want to give students an idea of what a career in engineering involves. Traditionally, 72% of students went into engineering because they had a relative who is an engineer.”
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According to Dr. Margaret Dolan, Superintendent of the Westfield Public Schools, “One of the major goals in the Strategic Plan of the Westfield Public schools is to increase opportunities in science, technology, engineering and Math fields to ensure that our students remain competitive both locally and globally.”
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