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Arapaho Elementary School: Learning Through Excitement, Motivation "Rocks" Their World

Mission 

A team of Nortel LearniT Ambassadors pioneered Richardson campus efforts to launch new avenues of technology-enriched volunteer service to the community. Nortel employees engaged more than 75 sixth grade science students in using 21st century skills to explore the scientific method to explain and elaborate their understanding of earth sciences and mathematics.

"It was a lot of fun for my team to work together on something that was outside the daily routine and give back to the community at the same time. I encourage everyone to consider doing a project like this at least once a year," said Steve Horowitz, Nortel Enterprise Business Operations.

Nortel LearniT 21st century e-Learning initiative

After learning about the Nortel LearniT Ambassador program, a group of employees decided to lead the charge in Richardson.  The employees' effort illustrates how a community volunteerism initiative can be enhanced by contributing technology expertise--while also serving as a team-building exercise. They chose to work with Arapaho Classical Magnet Elementary School in suburban Dallas near the Nortel campus in Richardson, Texas.

After contacting the area school principal and setting up a time to visit, the team went to work mapping out a two-hour agenda to work directly with the students.  The Digital Imaging Presentation agenda they used is available for other Nortel LearniT Ambassadors as a guide in their efforts.

Using the Nortel LearniT Digital Imaging Guide Sheet they decided to have the students model the use of the scientific method and acquire images that visually portrayed the topics they were studying.

arapahoeelementaryassignment

 Digital Imaging Presentation Resource

Students Set Out on Digital Safari to "Capture" Images of Rocks and Minerals

In the planning session with the school,  the team discovered that the students were studying earth sciences, specifically rocks and minerals, and also astronomy.  In their math class they were studying geometry.  So, the first thing on the agenda was to conduct a digital safari, searching out the rocks and minerals the students were currently studying in their science classes.  To prepare for the image expedition, the Ambassadors presented the Nortel Learnit Windows Movie Maker Tutorial to train the students. 

This first activity lasted about 45 minutes-- from the time the team arrived at the school the door until they wrapped up and headed to the cafeteria for the second portion of the program, a cybersafety presentation.  To allow for video creation and processing time, and to present important Internet usage information to the students, the team used Nortel LearniT resources to provide an online safety discussion.

During the forty-five minute cybersafety discussion (described below), Sean Weigler, Manager A/V Services and Beth Kolman, Community Relations, downloaded the students' digital pictures and created three short Windows Movie Maker video presentations. 

arapahoplanphotos

View the video (below) of students on Digital Safari and a sampling of their imaging creativity!   This way to the expedition!

Cybersafety Discussion: Classroom-ready via Nortel LearniT Resources

Next, Jason Frannea led a discussion around the importance of cybersafety with the students.

Via the Nortel LearniT Online Safety video on Protecting Your Online Identity , the kids learned about identity theft and what they can do to prevent it. A resource from this presentation is Cybersafety Tips.

This led to a lively exchange and discussion. Sharing personal stories, the Nortel team were able to make this a personal and engaging conversation that the students were really excited to join.

arapahocybersafety

Nortel LearniT Resources