This past week with the ASSIST program has been jammed packed with exposure, discoveries and mental stimulation. Both of my mentors are extraordinary educators due to the fact that they have done an exceptional job reassuring us that we [the educators] are the catalyst who are in the position to lead students to the world of engineering. At first in the back of my mind I had my trepidation; I felt that I had nothing to offer. In three weeks, I now feel like a valuable piece of the puzzle, I have the ability to impart words of wisdom and expose my students to a different world of science and technology.
Earlier this week I experienced “reverse engineering”, and it was a blast. This is essentially dissection of a piece of technological design to view its internal features in this case the “SOC” [System on a Chip]. I have to admit I imagined being one of my students; the thrill they must have felt whenever they enter my class and see an activity waiting for them to devour.
Above pictures depicts the beginning stages of the destruction. Both mentors periodically checked in to be sure that I was not losing any of my digits.
This activity is a prelude to the creation of a sensory device that we have to create for the upcoming week. By examining the components and unique features of this piece of technology, it prepares me mentally to generate ideas that would be vital to the group creativity. I can not wait to see what is in store for the upcoming weeks. I am ready to soak it all up like a sponge.
Great Pictures!
I also was filled with trepidation starting my externship. I find that I waiver between: Wow, I have learned so much and I really need help to understand that a little better. I think this experience will make me more aware of how important it is to empower my students as they are learning. It has made a huge difference working with people who have encouraged me during my externship.
I to have been exposed to tons of stuff that I would not have given a second thought in my 6th grade world. However, the one unique thing about both mentors is that they do not talk at us….it seems more of a collaborative effort to recruit interest to STEM. This would not have been this exciting if I was surrounding by Engineers making me feel like am inept because I am now programmed to modify information so that a 6th grade person can grasp the concept. Learning is growing!