HVEF Donates $40K for TMS Pre-Engineering Program
The Hopewell Valley Education Foundation (HVEF) has given $40,000 to Timberlane Middle School’s new pre-engineering program, completely covering the start-up costs for the new coursework, including computers, software, learning materials and redesigning the classroom.
The HVEF hosted a reception at Timberlane Monday for supporters in the new space, and Congressman Rush Holt (D-12th District), who is also a physicist, stopped by to see the new program.
The HVEF is a non-profit foundation that provides and solicits funding and develops partnerships to enhance the educational opportunities for Hopewell Valley public school students. The $40,000 grant came from Bristol Meyers Squibb ($10,000); Janssen Pharmaceuticals ($10,000); the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) ($10,000); the Arkay Foundation ($5,000); and the HVEF ($5,000), according to Randee Tengi, president of the board of HVEF.
The new courses, called Project Lead the Way – Gateway to Technology, are offered as an elective this year for 7th and 8th graders. They are based on a national model, designed to improve math and science education in schools, called “STEM”, which combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a single course and includes activities such as programming robots, building 3-D models and designing a glider. It replaced the former Exploring Technology Education class, commonly known as woodshop, and is taught by teacher Robert Niederer.
“This is the future of American education, this cooperation between education and the community,” said HVRSD Superintendent Tom Smith to the crowd at the reception. “We have a principal who dreamed big,” he said, referring to Timberlane’s Tony Suozzo, who initiated the switch to PLTW last year. “And you all helped it come true. This exemplifies what can happen when we work together.”
Mr. Suozzo said 240 students are signed up to take the half-year courses this school year. A few of those students worked at computers as the reception went on around them.
Eighth grader Bryan Lewless, who is currently taking the PLTW Robotics course, sat at a computer designing a robotic arm, which he will then build with materials in the classroom. Yash Balaji, another eighth grader, was designing a playground on his screen.
“It’s really fun, and it’s a good way to start the day,” said Yash, who has the course first thing each day. “It’s a lot of problem solving, and I like that.”
Student Jack Humphreys, who hopes to design video games for a living, said he likes “having access to some of the better technology available” through the class.
But Zac Straub, who admits he’s “into computers”, said you don’t have to be to enjoy the class. “Mr. Neiderer explains it simply and makes it fun,” he said.
Mr. Suozzo said after start up, the program will cost about the same, or less, than the woodshop program, and that it has an important goal.
“Clearly, as a nation, we are not producing as many engineers and scientists as we would like, and this course responds to that, and is part of a national effort to do better in those fields,” he said.
The seventh-grade PLTW course consists of two, 45-day modules. One is called Design & Modeling, which explores the way things are designed using computer modeling, sketching, and other tools. The other 45 days are spent exploring Energy & the Environment, in which students learn about the importance of energy in our lives, design and model alternative energy forms, and explore the concepts of innovation, energy efficiency and waste management.
In the eighth-grade PLTW course, the first 45-day unit is called Robotics and Automation, which covers the history of these topics and offers hands-on projects in mechanical and computer control systems. The second unit is Flight & Space, in which students learn about the history of aerospace, again taught through hands-on activities, and design and build a model glider. Also, simulation software shows them what its like to travel and live in space.
In 2011-12 only, because it is a brand new course, eighth-graders can take the seventh grade classes if they wish.
“We have been researching this program for several years,” said Mr. Suozzo. “We believe it’s an excellent opportunity for our students to develop the 21st-century skills that they will need for their future.”
