Engineering & Architectural Enrichment
Grades: 7/8, Marking Period 4
Prerequisite: Computer Skills & Applications
Location: Collegium Charter School - 515, Room 352, Exton, PA
Contact: hscribner@ccs.us / Cell: 484-674-5011
Tutorial Time: On Request.
Conference Period: Lunch / Before or After School by Appointment
Course Description: Students will use prior knowledge and technology skills to complete individual and team exploration projects using various "Maker-Space" style stations. Emphasis on coding, robotics, physics, and other disciplines will be encouraged. Students will be required to work both independently, and on team projects, to show mastery of the investigative process, scientific method, collaborative organization, and the engineering design process. Students will be encouraged to imagine, create, plan, experiment, and revise their projects. All work will require prior approval and supporting documentation (ELA). Projects will be presented, as they are completed, to the class. Each marking period there will be a different, primary focus, and students will be able to self-direct their investigations according to individual interests or current events and topics. Safety, Investigative Processes, and Project-Based Learning will be emphasized.
The information provided below is posted on a public website and scholars are assumed to have read, understand, and follow all protocol and rules listed. Scholars will be bound by these rules and regulations upon entering Collegium Charter School and cannot claim ignorance of the rules as a defense for poor behavior or poor preparation. Any questions or concerns may be directed to me at hscribner@ccs.us. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to review these rules and procedures in full with every Collegium Scholar. Technology equipment, network access, and internet access are for official student use only, and may only be used to access appropriate content as outlined in the Collegium Charter School Policies and Procedures.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: ALL Building 515 Collegium Scholars are REQUIRED to use their Collegium issued Google Applications for Education GMail Address and Log-In Information while accessing CCS Electronic Equipment.
NO PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESSES may be used to Access Computers or Networks or Submit Assignments. All communications to and from students, parents, teachers or staff should comply with CCS Policies and Procedures. Please log into POWERSCHOOL to view Scholar grades and assignments.
MR. SCRIBNER’S CLASSROOM RULES
1. Scholars are to enter the classroom calmly and quietly and go immediately to their assigned seats. You are to sit at a 90-degree angle to your desk with your feet on the floor and good posture (spine straight).
2. Scholars are to be in their seats and prepared to work at the beginning of the period. If you are not in your seat with your materials at the beginning of the period you are tardy. Be working on the assignment on the board/website immediately upon entering.
3. Scholars are to show respect at all times and in all manners toward themselves, others, and staff. This includes all verbal and non-verbal forms of communication including body language, facial expression and tone of voice.
4. Scholars are to be on task AT ALL TIMES and work to the best of their ability. This means you are to be working on whatever assignment is given with all of your concentration. If you are finished with an assignment early, you may read or sit quietly and wait for others. Please collaborate and communicate about the topic-at-hand and limit your off-topic conversations while working.
5. There is absolutely no gum, food, drink, candy, make-up, mirrors, electronic devices or any other distraction allowed in my class. Any of these visible will be immediately confiscated and picked up after school. Class time is for learning.
6. Scholars are to be prepared with all papers, pens, pencils, notebooks and any other materials required for class. Do not waste class time to ask to sharpen your pencil, needing paper, throwing out trash, or any other trivial matter. Be a professional student and take care of it quietly or prior to class.
7. You are to raise your hand to get permission to speak during direct instruction time. Raising your hand does not give you permission to speak; it just lets me know you want to speak. You are never to leave your seat without first raising your hand and receiving permission. This requirement is adjusted during group/team or independent work time.
8. I do not argue with Scholars. If you are told to move your seat or given any other direction you are to do so immediately and without complaint. If you feel this or any other direction is unreasonable you may arrange to discuss it with me, your counselor or arrange a parent conference on your own time. Otherwise, follow all directions immediately and without complaining. Class time is for learning.
9. You are to remain in your seat until dismissed by Mr. Scribner (or designated substitute). You are responsible to clean any trash in your area whether it is yours or not. Keep all trash with you until the bell rings and throw it out on your way out of the classroom.
10. I do not give warnings. This is your warning. Any violation of these rules will be met immediately with a 10-minute detention to be served after school and/or other consequences such as copying the rules, parent conference, or meeting with the principal.
12. If you do not come to the 10-minute detention, you will then be required to attend a full 45-minute detention and your parent/guardian will be notified of the issue. Consecutive missed detentions will result in further disciplinary action. No matter what other consequence you receive, you will have to make up the 10-minute detention.
Classroom Information and Procedures
Respect Yourself – Respect Others AT ALL TIMES
Be Prepared with Materials – Be on Time – Be Ready to Learn
Scholars are expected to have achieved a certain level of appropriate behavior given the number of years they have been exposed to classroom rules and procedures. Expected behaviors include but are not limited to showing respect, following instructions, participating in learning, abiding by school policies and classroom procedures. Failure to demonstrate these expected behaviors daily will trigger consequences according to the classroom, school, and district discipline police. THERE WILL BE NO WARNINGS ISSUED!Beginning and Ending Class – Scholars should be in their seats with materials ready at the start of class. Scholars should respond to the Teacher's queue by listening or engaging in warm up activity (Journal). Scholars should respond to the Teachers queue to end class by saving files, putting up materials, turning in papers, getting the homework assignment, logging off the computer, and being ready to leave class when the bell rings. Scholars should use all allotted class time for learning by being engaged in listening, responding appropriately, or participating in assignments. Beginning and ending class in an efficient manner will allow for class time to be used appropriately.
Bathroom Breaks – Bathroom breaks should be taken during passing period. Scholars should get permission from the teacher and sign out before leaving the classroom for a bathroom break. If you are anywhere else other then the restroom or getting water disciplinary actions will be taken.
Educational Use of Equipment – Computer systems are provided for use by faculty and Scholars for educational purposes only. Games played on the computer for entertainment are not allowed unless specific permission is given. Internet surfing not directly associated with classroom assignments is not allowed. These limitations are in place to make better use of the district bandwidth and to provide a better educational learning environment for students.
Disks, Memory Drives, Cell Phones and CD’s – Scholars may bring disks, USB memory drives, and/or CD’s to school for use in computer systems with teacher approval. Any memory device/disk is not considered private and is subject to examination, search, and must be turned over to teacher upon request. Any memory device/disk inspected and found to have inappropriate material / unauthorized material is subject to confiscation and will result in demerits and other disciplinary action. Also, Scholars may not download software onto district computer systems without specific permission.
NO SCHOLAR MAY CREATE OR USE AN OUTSIDE/PRIVATE NETWORK AT ANY TIME WHILE IN SCHOOL. SCHOLARS CAUGHT CREATING A WIFI OR ACCESS POINT WITH CELLPHONES OR OTHER UNAUTHORIZED DEVICE WILL HAVE THAT DEVICE IMMEDIATELY CONFISCATED AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL DISCIPLINARY ACTION. NO UNAUTHORIZED DEVICE WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE SCHOOL NETWORK WITHOUT SPECIFIC PERMISSION. NO UNAUTHORIZED, ILLEGAL, OR INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT MAY BE ACCESSED PRIVATELY ON PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT WHILE ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.Operating System Configuration – Adding or deleting icons to the desktop is prohibited. Changing the background on the monitor or screen saver is prohibited. Scholars should not make any changes to the configuration of the district computer systems.
No Cheating – Scholars should not share files in the attempt to cheat on assignments. File sharing should only be done if the class assignment directs a Scholars to do so. Scholars should not print multiple copies of a file in an attempt to allow others to cheat from their original works. Scholars should show integrity by not cheating or by creating an environment where others may cheat. Cheating may cause the Scholar(s) loss of some or the entire grade.
Listening – Scholars should listen while the teacher is giving directions or giving information. Scholars should attend to the directions and follow them the first time they are given. This classroom environment thrives on the importance of teamwork, leadership, integrity, honesty, work habits, and organizational skills. The Scholar is expected to use teamwork to solve problems and questions first before asking for assistance
Appropriate Language – Scholars should use appropriate language when conversing with the teacher and when conversing with other students. Slander, cursing, racial remarks, and remarks made that are demeaning to specific groups of people are inappropriate and should not be used. Scholars should demonstrate respect for the teacher, themselves, and for others in their speech and in their tone.
NO FOOD, DRINKS, GUM OR CANDY – No food or drinks are allowed in the classroom unless otherwise approved by the teacher.
Absent or Makeup Work – It is the responsibility of the Scholar to make arrangements with the teacher for work missed when absent due to illness, doctor’s appointments, field trips, school sponsored event, etc.
Radio’s, Music Players, Games, Head Phones, Cell Phones, and other electronic devices – Headphones should not be worn during class unless directed by the teacher for a specific assignment or individual work. The school policy on the use of cell phones will be strictly enforced. Personal music CD’s and DVD’s should not be brought to class and played in the CD/DVD ROM drives. These devices should be kept out of sight and not be used in the classroom. Devices that are confiscated will be taken to the Principal’s office.
Criminal Activity – Hacking and sabotage are criminal activities covered by federal and state laws. Damage to data, equipment, or functionality of software programs and operating systems are severe offenses that may be subject to substantial fines and penalties under law. Removal of hardware, equipment, software and supplies, and other properties from the classroom are considered theft. Browsing unauthorized files or district content through the school provided network is a federal crime. Scholars should not try to guess passwords to hack into teacher accounts or the accounts of others. Scholars should only access areas they are authorized to use and have been given rights to access. Scholars should use the network for academic purposes only. Network resources should not be wasted including bandwidth and printer usage. All FERPA, state and local access restrictions on content will be strictly adhered too.
Bank Accounts – Teens should know how a bank account works and the fees associated; not only the account fees and how they incur (min balance amounts, activity fees, etc.), but also the ATM fees. Young people tend to like to do things online so they can search for a low cost, basic online checking account. And while check writing may someday be obsolete, don’t forget to show them how to write a check and explain how it works. Also, review how debit cards work, how to safeguard all their information, and how too many swipes at the checkout counter can lead to costly and embarrassing overdraft charges.
