TEMPS Program
(Technology
Education, Mathematics & Physical Science)
Purpose Statement: Math, Science and Technology are all critical fields in our evolving technological age and will be the occupational areas of the future. Education in these three areas has become a national priority. Mathematician and scientist Johannes Kelper once said, "The chief aim of all investigations of the external world should be to discover the rational order and harmony which has been imposed on it and which is revealed to us in the language of mathematics." Stressing the importance of mathematics, philosopher Immanuel Kant added, "In any particular theory there is only as much real science as there is mathematics." The purpose of this program will be to have students learn these critical areas and their application to real-world situations.
Philosophical Position: We believe that a solid foundation in mathematics and its applications in the areas of Science and Technology will be of great importance to a skilled workforce in the 21st Century. We believe that students competent in these areas will have superior employment possibilities.
Supporting Documentation: The Earth is presently home to approximately six billion people and experts estimate that this number will double by the middle of the Century. Two-thirds of the population exists at the extreme poverty level. Our oceans, seas and air are being polluted, our rain forests and natural habitats decimated and our ozone layer and resources depleted. The unprecedented use of fossil fuels is affecting our weather patterns, crop production and will lead to the probable loss of massive areas of livable landmass due to the rapid melting of the polar ice with Global Warming. How will our children solve these formidable problems? What can we do now to insure that there will be a tomorrow? Only education has the power to transform our present reality into a vision of opportunity and abundance for all.
Occupations that require higher skills now pay a higher premium. For
example, among college-educated workers, only those with managerial and
professional ("elite") jobs saw wage gains in the last decade.
Similarly, compensation paid to more-skilled precision production workers grew
2.3 times as fast as compensation to lower-skilled laborers. In the last 20
years, compensation for managerial and professional work increased, while
incomes of moderate-skill jobs remained stable and incomes of less-skilled jobs
declined. Overall, compensation in elite jobs grew 2.5 times faster than in
blue-collar occupations and 4.3 times faster than service occupations between
1987 and 1996. (Martha Walker and Bruce Bergman, "Analyzing Year-to-Year
Changes in Employers' Costs for Employee Compensation" Compensation and
Working Conditions, Spring 1998)
Critical Elements: This program will focus on three main areas, Math, Physical Science and Applied Technology. These topics will emphasize four objectives:
Program Objectives: The program objective in Technology will be to apply technology in solving predictable and non-predictable problems. Project areas will include energy, transportation, engineering, architecture, and manufacturing. Students will be expected to formulate, design and construct various working models of technological equipment and understand their use and application in today's world.
The objective in Mathematics will be to provide students with a working knowledge in basic math, geometry and algebra and have them demonstrate their uses in quantifying, evaluating and assessing real-world applications and problem solving. Math skills will be used in all areas of project development.
Physical Science objectives will be to provide the students with the knowledge and appreciation of their physical world. The science will be primarily oriented towards applied technology and will focus on the laws of matter and motion. Energy use and energy conservation will be stressed, as well as effects of waste and overuse of resources.
Observable Standards: The TEMPS curriculum will be a wonderful opportunity to inspire young inventors and creators to learn and experiment with the physical world. Students finishing this program will be able to demonstrate the following:
The practical application of science, math and technology
in problem solving:
Use equations to illustrate the mathematic principles of motion, energy and force
Build a model of a technical device
Propose technical solutions to solve real-world problems
Demonstrate a working knowledge of mathematics applied to a variety of situations
Use tools of measurement to quantify and calculate objects and distances
Draw objects to scale and use conversion tables effectively
Research the newest technological advances and their practical applications
Understanding the parameters and concepts of the physical
world:
Describe the motion and the relative composition of matter
List the basic elements and give examples of their presence in different substances
Identify the relationship between the micro and macro cosmos.
Participate in projects that exhibit the knowledge and understanding of physical laws
Design a devise that performs a technological function
Apply principles of mathematics to support hypotheses in project areas
Acquiring a working knowledge of math and physical
science principles:
Compare and contrast the characteristics of a variety of building substances
Work in cooperative groups to Òbrain-stormÓ new innovations
Discuss the feasibility of project proposals
Predict research trends and future technical possibilities
Apply math concepts towards the solution of predictable and non-predictable situations
Become aware of the diversity and application of various
materials in the world:
Explain the differences and uses of the elements
Research the uses of various materials for space travel
Plan a program to increase community energy awareness
Organize a project to educate the public about energy innovations
Create a survey to evaluate consumer awareness
Facility Needs: The facility should accommodate students and teachers as well as provide space for the development of projects. A site close to a manufacturing or engineering associated business would be ideal.
Equipment/Communication needs: Equipment necessary would include technical modules and the associated supplies. Additional equipment will include computers with Internet access, printers, fax, telephones, copy machine, and office supplies, as well as books and classroom equipment.
Material/Transportation needs: The county school busing system or alternative carrier will provide transportation for students to and from the POD site. Field trips will be scheduled with available carriers.
Area of needs to be assessed during design: The needs during design will include the acquisition of an adequate facility and the technology equipment modules to provide sufficient workstations for the students. A cooperative plan will also need to be worked out with the associated business partner.
Time-Line for implementation: This program will begin with the others in the 2006/2007 school year. Developmental steps with be initiated upon the acceptance of the charter proposal by the School Board and will proceed to secure a partnered business, grant and sponsor funding, a certified teaching staff, an appropriate facility and other necessary steps.
Budget: All PODs will be funded with business "seed" money every year to develop and maintain business ventures. In addition, money will be provided for books, supplies, technology equipment, office equipment, computers and teachers as outlined in the 5-year budget plan.
Evaluation/Validation checkpoints: The students will be evaluated and monitored on a continual basis throughout the program. Progress will be assessed in the areas of Applied Technology, Physical Science and Mathematics through the following criteria:
Knowledge: Prior knowledge in the subject areas will be determined based on tests and surveys. An exit exam will be used to determine knowledge gained. Presentation in project areas will be judged. Essays, research papers, and short answer responses will show student's level of comprehension. Completed technical devices will illustrate student's working knowledge.
Skills: Competency in skill areas will be demonstrated by the achievement of certifications. Individual and group projects will be assessed, as well as involvement in community projects. Students will exhibit mastery in appropriate technology and in planning and organizational skills. Innovations and original ideas will be encouraged and rewarded.
Attitudes: Students will complete a survey geared to determine the perceived effectiveness of the program. Students will publish and display their work to the general public. Parents will also be asked to evaluate the program by completing a survey to assess the motivation and enthusiasm of their children for the program.
Task / Responsibility chart: The following people are necessary to develop, maintain, and operate this program:
Program Director and Coordinator - This person will be responsible for the support of the program and help provide the needed coordination with the district administration, the associated business sponsor and the parents of the students involved. Initially, this person should be a coordinator/teacher, but upon initiation of the program the participating teachers can assume these responsibilities.
Staff - The staff will be deeply involved in the planning of the program as well as the selection of the curriculum. They will need to be trained in all areas of the program, including business, technology, math and science. The staff will run the program, supervise the students, assess student performance and report to the school-based Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.
Dissemination Plan: The program will begin at the start of the 2006 school year. The participating students will receive their schedules and proceed to their first day of the program. After initial instruction, they will continue with their instructors into the POD to begin their lessons. Instruction will end at the regular end of the school day and students will return home as all other students. The program instructional staff will perform according to a prearranged and approved curriculum and provide a safe, educational and enjoyable experience for the students.