ARTS + CRAFTS: artistic expressions in honor of earth day 2015

In celebration of Earth Day, Fairmont students demonstrate their creativity by re-purposing common recyclables into art. In March, the art pieces were displayed at the MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center in Anaheim as part of the museum’s annual "TrashArtist Competition."  

There are no limits to what a child can do with their imagination!

 

Contributed by Marketing Department, Fairmont Private Schools

CHALK TALK the benefits of students exploring robotics

It’s a sunny day as a team of Fairmont Prep students known as the “Huskyteers” prepare a wireless operated robot, nicknamed “Balto,” to compete at the Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. Using laptops and power tools, they work together to make sure Balto performs its required task.  Balto must lift, move, and stack items that represent litter in a pre-determined arrangement.

The process of building a robot offers students a rewarding experience regardless of their academic backgrounds and experience.  They form a diverse team exchanging knowledge, skills, and ideas with the goal of creating an reward-winning robot.

Teachers see robotics as a perfect example of cutting-edge learning that is completely student-driven. When students focus their energy on building a robot, they demonstrate problem-solving abilities, apply academic knowledge, integrate skills, and collaborate within a group. It’s a microcosm of a real world entrepreneurial start-up.  

The experiences in designing, building, and testing a robot bring to life mathematics, computer science, engineering, and other tech savvy topics. The finished robot provides students a gratifying source of accomplishment. Most of all, they become confident in using these academic subjects to overcome many obstacles, not only for technically-based challenges, but life as a whole.

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools

FAIRMONT NORTH TUSTIN THIRD GRADER AMONG WINNERS OF DISNEY BIG HERO 6 – XPRIZE CHALLENGE

Contest Entry Proposes Product Packaging Rating System to Help Consumers Select Products with Less Packaging Waste

Fairmont North Tustin third grader Kamran Ansari has a special connection with Disney's 2015 Oscar-winning animated feature Big Hero 6. He is among the winners in the DISNEY BIG HERO 6 – XPRIZE CHALLENGE.  The contest, held late last year, encouraged children between the ages of 8 and 17 to use science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics to develop innovative approaches for addressing global problems.

For his winning entry, nine-year-old Kamran proposed a product packaging rating system to inform consumers of the wastefulness of a product’s packaging. His system allows consumers to make environmentally friendly decisions by choosing products with less packaging waste.  Click here to see the winning video entries.

 

“I selected this topic because I thought packaging is having a big, negative impact on the environment, and I want to find ways to solve this problem,” said Kamran. “I am extremely honored and grateful for having won. I can’t believe it!”

“Kamran is a prime example of the amazing things children can do when they build upon their ingenuity and express their passion,” said Kristen Jansen, Campus Director for the  Fairmont North Tustin Campus. “We are proud of his achievement and pleased to provide a learning environment for him and his classmates to make a positive impact in the world.”

Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY P-8 educational apps recommendations

Fairmont’s own Technology Enhanced Curriculum Specialist, Dr. Rebecca Osborne, recently recommended several educational apps for enhancing a child’s learning experience. She also listed apps for helping students (and parents) stay organized and enable parents to monitor a child’s iPad use.

Academic apps and games play a major role in 21st century learning. The term “gamification” is used in educational circles to refer to electronic game platforms designed to help students learn and practice academic subjects. 

With access to laptops, tablets and smartphones in the classroom and at home, teachers, students and families are integrating more digital tools into the learning process. The results include a significant increase in student motivation along with greater levels of engagement with teachers, other students and parents.

Academic Apps and Games:
Brainpop Jr - Elementary
Writing Wizard and Cursive Writing Wizard - P-2nd
Lobster Diver - Numberline Math app for 3-8
Tellagami and PuppetPals - Animation apps for all grade levels
Bill Nye the Science Guy - Elementary and JH science videos and virtual experiments

Getting Organized:
Evernote:Taking notes, tracking recipes and so much more (www.evernote.com for more info)
Gmail: Get your Gmail accounts on your iPad, real-time notifications, multiple account support and search across your entire inbox
Sunrise: Calendar with a variety of great features, including weather, directions and more.
Any.Do: Easy-to-use to-do list app

iPad Monitoring:

PeekTab - Monitor usage, pictures taken, etc.  (a bit pricey)

TimeLock: Limit usage of the iPad

Parents can also see purchases made in the App Store using these instructions.

Contributed by Doug Fleischli