If It Doesn't Work, Try Again: Innovation and Technology in the Middle School

Innovation and Technology gives students the chance to explore how ideas can turn into real solutions. Students work on projects that ask them to think creatively, persist through challenges, and continually test their ideas. They also build technical skills through keyboarding and introductory coding. Through CodeCombat, they practice complex problem-solving by breaking tasks into manageable steps and debugging their code.

To introduce fifth-grade students to Innovation and Technology, they began with a team-building project in which they recreated an action scene from a book using only Legos. Projects like Ferdinand and The Man Who Walked Between the Towers came to life as students learned to listen to one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. All groups did an excellent job, and their projects were displayed in the middle school for their peers to see. 

Sixth-grade students are currently working on a 3D design project that connects to their reading groups. Each student selected a scene, artifact, or item from their book that holds personal significance, and they are producing impressive 3D models while helping one another learn the program. Their final products will be presented to the class.

Seventh-grade students recently completed a Digital Citizenship Video Project. Students created short videos intended to teach their peers about responsible technology use. Each group selected a topic connected to online behavior and designed their message with their audience in mind. The goal was to help students think carefully about how technology affects their community and how they can help promote positive digital habits.

Eighth-grade students completed the Engineering Empathy Project, designing a robotic solution for a specific user. Before building, they spent time understanding the needs of the person they were designing for. They then created robotic prototypes intended to help solve that person's challenge. The project helped students see that strong solutions begin with understanding people.

Projects like these give students practice explaining their thinking, collaborating with others, and working through problems that don't have a single right answer. Innovation and Technology helps students see themselves as capable, resourceful learners. Our students continue to impress us, and we cannot wait to see what they accomplish next.

Carrie Montgomery & Kaycee Lemons

MS Innovation and Technology