Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/686133
Middle school computer science teacher Bobby Oommen (seated) and middle school technology coordinator Andy Stone (standing) are both passionate about exposing students to technology and a digital world. Both also help teachers innovate in the classroom. That, however, is where the similarities end. Oommen is focused on developing a middle school computer science (CS) curriculum that covers the concepts and theories that will allow students to be digital thinkers. His students frequently don't even touch computers during class as Oommen shows them that CS is not just about programming or coding. When Oommen teams up with other teachers, it is to enrich their curriculum, whether it is by having students create code for an interactive presentation or collect data for developing an app. Stone, on the other hand, loves his gadgets. He primarily works with students outside the classroom, in the Middle School Maker Space (which also serves as his and Oommen's office). His mission is to educate and expose them to technology, by allowing them to explore, experiment, discover and create. Teachers come to Stone when they are seeking new technology to enhance their teaching or need help with the classroom technology they already have. Oommen: CONNECTIONS "The Makey Makey allows for a lot of flexibility to work with different subject areas. We've used it in English, science and social studies. Students connect an object to a computer and then write code to elicit a reaction when someone touches the object." This winter, science students used the Makey Makey to connect their presentations about an imaginary fish species to the actual body parts on a model. When someone touched the body part, they would hear all about it. . A Few of Our Favorite Things Stone: INNOVATION "Although it looks like something out of woodshop, the Carvey is probably the most cutting-edge machine we have. It is computer- controlled and can very precisely cut or carve just about anything – even circuit boards." Oommen: BINARY COMMUNICATION "Fifth graders had to find a way to ask a question and receive communication using one of two options as they were introduced to binary communication. They are learning protocols about how to communicate and receive information in a way that a computer would understand. " 28