Two Weston Schools Welcome Visitors from Vietnam
school news
By Stacey Bomser
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rincipals from 25 elementary schools in Vietnam visited Weston to observe and discuss digital literacy. The group visited Gator Run Elementary School and met with Gator Run Principal Keith Peters and Indian Trace Elementary Principal Amy Winder. These two schools were selected for the educational exchange because they are two of three Broward County schools taking part in a pilot program to promote digital literacy and competency. Both Weston schools utilize IC3 Spark Digital Tools, computer software designed to help elementary school students learn valuable digital literacy skills and earn certifications recognized by the Florida Department of The visitors were able to observe how Gator Run Principal Keith Peters poses with technology is used in the classroom. the visiting principals from Vietnam. Education. “IC3 Spark is a computer to have connected with the educators from Ho Chi Minh City,” shared Mr. Peters. certification program in which students “This visit has opened my eyes to the possibility of connecting with schools and learn the ins and outs of computer prostudents around the world.” grams like PowerPoint and Excel and gain The visiting principals were able to speak to their American counterparts, as a certificate upon passing an assessment,” well as students, through an interpreter. “They were blown away by how articuexplained Mr. Peters. late our students were and how well they could speak about the certification Similar digital tools are used in Vietnam. program,” noted Mr. Peters. The Vietnamese principals were part of He says it was interesting to learn the similarities and differences between an educational trip to the United States schools in each country. For instance, elementary schools in Ho Chi Minh City to observe how software is being used in have over 40 students per class, they go to school for at least three hours longer American classrooms. Gator Run had the than we do, and they have a scheduled nap in their day. The Vietnamese princimost participating teachers in the IC3 Spark pals were impressed with the technology available to the Weston students; both program, so it was selected to be the host Gator Run and Indian Trace Elementary are Digital 4 and 5 schools, meaning site for the visit. However, the principals all students in those grades are assigned their own laptop. Personal technology wanted to see more classrooms so they use in Vietnam schools is not available. actually visited both schools, starting their As a thank you for welcoming the Vietnamese principals into their schools, Mr. The Vietnamese principals presented gifts to Indian Trace Elementary day at Indian Trace Elementary. Peters and Mrs. Winder were each presented with artwork of a famous pagoda Principal Amy Winder and Gator “I personally feel honored and humbled Run Principal Keith Peters in Hanoi.
Gator Run Elementary Fourth Grade Class Catches Olympic Fever By Stacey Bomser
The Yellow Team, Olivia Erdelyi, Niyi Odewole, and Mara Lustig, won the Race to the Finish event.
Teams compete in Can You Code This?
The Green Team, Charlie Faso, Mason Levine and Brett Ravede, won the Can You Code This? event.
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lthough the Summer Olympics are still a month away, students in Lynn Mitchel’s fourth grade class at Gator Run Elementary School ended the school year with their own competition – the first annual Mitchel Sphero Olympics. Sphero SPRKs are app-enabled robotic balls that can be used as simple remote controlled devices or used as programming and coding machines. Mrs. Mitchel’s class received the Spheros through generous contributions to Donors Choose. Throughout the school year, students worked in teams with the Spheros to learn more about coding, collaboration and problem solving. In addition, Mrs. Mitchel allowed students to take the Spheros home for weekend “sleepovers” in order to explore the many programming activities offered by Sphero SPRK. As the culminating activity with the Sphero robots, Mrs. Mitchel came up with the concept of an Olympic Festival. “I have a very competitive group of students and I realized the idea of a tournament would motivate them.” To enhance the Olympic theme, the first annual Mitchel Sphero Olympics included theme-song introductions, team names, flags, medals and championship trophies. The teams competed in three events: Race to the Finish (a road race that was won by the fastest driver); Can You Code This? (teams had to program the Sphero through a maze the fastest); and Bowling with Sphero
JULY 2016 | OUR CITY WESTON
Teams pose for a picture before opening ceremonies of the first annual Mitchel Sphero Olympics.
(teams were given three ball “rolls” to knock down the most paper cups). The students were all impressed to witness the skills they mastered using the Sphero SPRKs. According to Mason Levine, “At the beginning of the year I would have never believed that I could code a ball through a maze, let alone do it faster with my partners than the rest of my classmates!” Mrs. Mitchel says the Sphero Olympics was one of the most exciting and entertaining learning experiences she’s ever been a part of, and she’s already looking forward to the second annual Mitchel Sphero Olympics next year.