Mark Kobel - Teacher, Whitcomb School (Marlbourough, Mass.)
Content Area(s): Technology, Engineering
Background / Bio / Educational Philosophy: Born in Worcester, MA and now living in Holden, MA. I taught Industrial Arts / Technology Education / Technology Engineering for 30 years at Gardner Middle School and Gardner High School. I developed a curriculum for the high school which grew from one to six sections of a college prep, lab science, standards based Technology/Engineering class which included MCAS testing for many students. I recently accepted a new teaching position in Marlborough on a STEM team. We are developing a program highlighting Engineering Based Learning through collaborative projects and interdisciplinary studies.
I focus on incorporating real world problem solving, hands on skills, educational technology, and project-based learning into my classroom. I believe that today's students need to be creative, active learners that can apply information as well as find and filter new information to solve real world problems. They must be able to work individually and collaboratively. They need to be able to use a variety of media to document and present their activities and accomplishments.
CAPSULE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN: This Capstone Experience is designed for 9-10 grade students enrolled in a Technology/Engineering class that meets the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks standards. The students will build and test a prototype of a device that will be used as an emergency/backup power source for an electronic device such as an iPod in the event that its battery becomes discharged. The prototype will be assembled and tested as the students study electrical systems. Later, when studying manufacturing technologies, the Engineering Design Process will be used to redesign the prototype with the goal of optimizing a mass production system. The students will create a PowerPoint presentation that documents their experiences. This Capstone experience has been developed in order to give the students hands on experience to reinforce the concepts they are studying. Building and testing the circuit will reinforce the electrical systems skills and concepts. Using the Engineering Design Process to redesign the original circuit for mass production will reinforce the concepts in the manufacturing and EDP topic areas.
*NOTE: My implementation plan was revised due to unexpected events, however, following the engineering design process was the perfect way for me to improvise, adapt, and overcome the obstacles in order for my students to have a meaningful learning experience.
Background / Bio / Educational Philosophy: Born in Worcester, MA and now living in Holden, MA. I taught Industrial Arts / Technology Education / Technology Engineering for 30 years at Gardner Middle School and Gardner High School. I developed a curriculum for the high school which grew from one to six sections of a college prep, lab science, standards based Technology/Engineering class which included MCAS testing for many students. I recently accepted a new teaching position in Marlborough on a STEM team. We are developing a program highlighting Engineering Based Learning through collaborative projects and interdisciplinary studies.
I focus on incorporating real world problem solving, hands on skills, educational technology, and project-based learning into my classroom. I believe that today's students need to be creative, active learners that can apply information as well as find and filter new information to solve real world problems. They must be able to work individually and collaboratively. They need to be able to use a variety of media to document and present their activities and accomplishments.
CAPSULE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN: This Capstone Experience is designed for 9-10 grade students enrolled in a Technology/Engineering class that meets the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks standards. The students will build and test a prototype of a device that will be used as an emergency/backup power source for an electronic device such as an iPod in the event that its battery becomes discharged. The prototype will be assembled and tested as the students study electrical systems. Later, when studying manufacturing technologies, the Engineering Design Process will be used to redesign the prototype with the goal of optimizing a mass production system. The students will create a PowerPoint presentation that documents their experiences. This Capstone experience has been developed in order to give the students hands on experience to reinforce the concepts they are studying. Building and testing the circuit will reinforce the electrical systems skills and concepts. Using the Engineering Design Process to redesign the original circuit for mass production will reinforce the concepts in the manufacturing and EDP topic areas.
*NOTE: My implementation plan was revised due to unexpected events, however, following the engineering design process was the perfect way for me to improvise, adapt, and overcome the obstacles in order for my students to have a meaningful learning experience.
Download copies of my implementation plan, classroom activities, EBL strategies, or related curricula below.