Dickinson Middle School “ImpACT”

By: Damian Sobolik
STEM Instructor  

After teaching 6th-grade science for 15 years, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to teach STEM at DMS. I now have the opportunity to instruct a STEM class at Dickinson Middle School called "ImpACT." 

In this class, my students learn about the Engineering Design Process (EDP) and how to apply it in the early stages of the school year. They are then tasked with applying it to projects aimed at improving our school or community. It has been a rewarding experience to hear their ideas and witness them turning into reality. For some students, while their intentions are good, the realization of the amount of work required for their projects can lead to frustration and even giving up. However, they are encouraged to start fresh with a new "Ask" sheet, brainstorming for ways to make a positive impact on the community. It's interesting to note that many times, the second projects go smoother than the first.

Now, let's shift the focus to what the students have been working on:

**DNN 10**: During the "Imagine" phase, one of my students wanted to create a 10-minute news segment with a familiar format and present it weekly. They have already produced four shows, and you can observe the improvements in each episode due to the feedback from students and staff. Furthermore, they've even inspired a reporter to break off and create their own opinion podcast, mirroring real-life situations. I'm proud of the work this group has accomplished, and you can view it on our DMS ImpACT YouTube page.

**DVRCC Goods and Funds Raiser**: This project was initiated by a student last year and turned out to be a massive success due to the enthusiasm put into the "Create" phase. The project resulted in over 3,000 items collected, greatly benefiting their cause. The impact this project had on the school encouraged other students to bring it back and add their ideas. They, too, have gathered a substantial amount of goods for donation before Thanksgiving!

**DMS Lock-IN**: In my 8th-grade class, a group of students believed in the need for more inclusion at school and decided to take matters into their own hands with the concept of a lock-in, where students stay at the school for 24 hours. The initial excitement during the planning phase made it seem like this idea might get out of hand, but then they faced reality and encountered challenging questions they weren't prepared for. The group even questioned if it was worth pursuing. We had a discussion on how to use feedback to make changes without giving up entirely. They revisited their plans and "improved" the project. The target date they set is now a reality, and the theme has changed to "Can you make it until midnight?" which received better buy-in from the staff who are helping that night. I hope this initiative becomes a tradition, but as with all projects in this class, it depends on the students' commitment.

These are just a few of the numerous projects that students are creating using the EDP in our class. Additionally, we have informative podcasts being created on topics like books, fashion, and sports. There's also a clothing store that carries shirts designed by students, a student-driven "Student of the Month" program, and positive table talk brochures placed on lunch tables daily, designed by students to spark conversation. Many more ideas are coming to life as we move into the second quarter.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about what we are doing in my class. The main objective is for students to utilize the Engineering Design Process to design projects that will have a positive impact on the school or community. If you have a moment, please visit our YouTube page to see the incredible work our students are creating.