Successful Transition Assistance for Robotics Students (STARS) Grant
The Successful Transition Assistance for Robotics Students (STARS) will provide a replicable model for the importance of robotics education and transition programs for students. Management will be led by the NASA Independent Verification and Validation Educator Resource Center Program Manager, Todd Ensign who works on a contract through Fairmont State University. The goal of this grant is to implement robotics training at each of the 21 schools.
The project is divided into five components: engagement experiences, professional development, identification and transition planning, public school program coordination, and follow through/student tracking. These components were designed to work cooperatively to create a program that gives students the skills necessary to thrive in a technology-driven economy and education system. The first two components will aim to create the knowledge base required to sustain robotics as a curricular option in ODTP schools. The next two components
will aim to expand educational opportunities for students, encourage academic and personal growth, and reduce recidivism. The final component will be used to assess the success of the program.
Engagement Experience: Through a four-day workshop, students will learn the foundations to build and program a VEX IQ robot for the year’s competition. These workshops will be planned and implemented by the STARS robotics education specialists and supported by a combination of robotics educators who are contracted employees, and staff from the NASA IV&V ERC based on need.
Professional Development: Math, science, and technology teachers will be trained annually on the robotics platform and classroom integration techniques. This includes: 3 hours of hands-on training with Modkit for VEX IQ software and VEX IQ clawbot, one hour of classroom integration and management techniques, and one hour of curriculum and standards review.
Identification and Transition Planning: Annually up to 30 students who show an interest in continuing robotics will be selected to participate in the robotics transition program. During the students’ transition planning, the robotics education specialist will create a plan to involve students in a robotics competition.
Public School Program Coordination: 60 days after student transition, the robotics education specialist will spend two days in the student’s home school or community working with student and public school teachers to provide training and infrastructure to successfully compete in a robotics competition.
Monongalia County, Middle School Technical Education Program
Mission: The Monongalia County Schools, Middle School Technical Education Program is a pilot program designed to help at-risk, eighth graders receive early access to Career and Technical Education while receiving increased academic support, advanced career exploration and enhanced goal setting.
Goals: Program Goals include
- Assess current academic levels
- Address academic gaps
- Provide advanced instruction, where possible
- Obtain high school credit, where possible
- Provide early exposure to career and technical education
- Enhance academic engagement through increased project-based learning
- Provide enhanced support services geared towards increasing academic engagement
MTEC Middle School Program, Collaborative Learning Experiences
| Activity | Description | In Collaboration with |
|---|---|---|
| MTEC CTE Rotations | Participants rotate through CTE Classrooms in groups of two or three for hands-on technical education experiences/exposure, beginning with classes they selected via survey | MTEC Faculty |
| VEX University-Level Competition at Fairmont State University |
Competition, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Students must attend the entire event. Goal: To foster excitement about robots and to learn what is possible with robotics. Needs: Transportation would need to be arranged to and from the event |
NASA |
| Activity | Description | In Collaboration with |
|---|---|---|
| Field Trip to NASA |
Experience One: One-day robot experience with VEX IQ. Students will have the opportunity to program and compete with pre-made robots. Experience Two: One-day rocketry experience for students, at NASA, as a culmination to a week-long cross-curricular training for the Program Teacher. |
NASA |
| VEX IQ Experience at MTEC |
During this four-day activity, students will build robots, program them and compete among themselves. |
Office of Diversion and Transition |
| Solar System Project |
At MTEC, students will complete a cross-curricular science, math, research and writing project to map the solar system within Monongalia County, using GPS to calibrate the location of the sun and planets. |
MTEC Middle School Program Instructor, MTEC Faculty, Community |
| CAD Idea |
This is a proposed idea to give the students a CAD experience, in which they would, design a piece for their robots, that could be used for a potential rocket challenge. |
MTEC or UHS Faculty |
| UHS Tour/Hawk Fest/Civil War Reenactment |
At UHS, students will participate in a tour, Hawk Fest and watch a Civil War Reenactment. |
UHS Faculty and Administration |
| WVU Tour |
Students will visit WVU and learn about Academic and Student Life. |
WVU |
MTEC Middle School Technical Education Program School Counseling Services
Personalized Student Planning
| Service | Description | Service Delivered By |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Styles | A Learning Styles Inventory administered, and students taught about individual learning styles and how understanding their unique strengths and weaknesses can benefit them academically. | Classroom Teacher |
| CFWV Career Exploration |
Classroom guidance lesson(s) provided on the following topics: Career Cluster Survey Career Interest Profiler Work Values Sorter |
School Counselor |
| High School Scheduling/ Academic Advising |
Classroom Guidance lesson detailing the scheduling process Individual Counseling Session with each student to accurately complete the scheduling form |
High School Principal School Counselor |
| Personalized Education Plan (PEP) | A personalized education plan (PEP) developed by students, parent and counselor. | School Counselor |
Responsive Services
| Service | Description | Service Delivered By or In Collaboration With |
|---|---|---|
| MTEC Middle School TechnicalEducation Program | The program, by its very nature, is a Targeted to Intensive, Responsive, Prevention Intervention. |
Services are delivered in collaboration with a number of stakeholders, including, but not limited to:
|
| Individual Counseling | Individual counseling and/or personal counseling services are available, as needed. |
School Counselor |
Student Support
| Service | Description | Delivered By, In Collaboration With |
|---|---|---|
| Student Support | The School Counselor acts as a liaison to assist the Classroom Teacher in obtaining needed resources and supports for the Program, as a whole, and for individual students. |
As needed, School Counselor collaborates with: Classroom Teacher Administrators and Academic Support Staff |
| Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports |
Students will be provided classroom guidance lessons on Positive Behavior and Expectations. A positive behavior plan will be developed to meet the needs of the specific class |
Juvenile Justice Diversion Specialist School Counselor Classroom Teacher |
NASA Educational Robotics Diversion Project
The Baltimore Education Research Commission engaged middle school students through a robotics competition summer initiative. The 2012 program participants had higher school attendance the year following the program. The effect was significant for those that were low-achieving in mathematics. In July of 2015, Governor Tomblin launched a statewide truancy diversion initiative. Using this study goes hand-in-hand with the proposed initiative. Two middle schools in Monongalia County and one elementary school in Nicholas County are the targets for this project. This will include two competitions: FIRST LEGO League and LEGO EV3, and FIRST LEGO League Jr. and WeDo 2.0.
FIRST LEGO League includes ages 9-15, or grades 4-9. This visual programming competition includes teams of
- Students. In this project the participants will work in robot game (thematic field), robot design (engineering), and core values (teamwork). FIRST LEGO League Jr. includes ages 5-10, or grades K-5. In teams of 2-6 students, a model of solution using LEGO robotics and simple machines is the goal. In this league, teams present at non- competitive expos.
Monongalia County Schools
- Jan. – May, 2018: Purchase equipment, install software, EV3/FLL teacher training (5th- 6th) in Jan.-Feb., form teams of all 5th graders, classroom integration in Mar.-May, host scrimmages in May.
- Aug.-Nov. 2018: Form teams of all 6th graders, build new fields, host official Qualifying Tournament to select teams to move in Nov. at school.
- Dec. 2018: Winning teams attend Dec. 3, WV State FLL Championship Tournament at Fairmont State.
Nicholas County Schools
- Jan. – May, 2018: Purchase equipment, install software, WeDo/FLL Jr. (3rd) and EV3/FLL teacher training (4th, 5th) in Jan.-Feb., form teams of all 3rd and 4th graders, classroom integration in Mar.-May, host scrimmage at school in May.
- Aug.-Nov. 2018: Form teams of all 5th graders, build new fields, host official Qualifying Tournament to select teams to move in Nov. at school.
- Dec. 2018: Winning teams attend Dec. 3, WV State FLL Championship Tournament at Fairmont State.
Intended Outcomes:
- Increase engagement and attendance of students, particularly those who are statistically at risk of truancy.
- Decrease number of students referred by the court system to residential settings
- Increase student interest in STEM subjects and careers.
- Increase educator’s perceptions of ability and intent to use as well as utility of ER.
- Institute a sustainable ER truancy diversion program using FIRST Robotics.
Truancy Diversion Collaborative Site Harrison County
Option 1:
Option Pathway full day education at United High School
Students enrolled in this option will receive ½ day TASC preparation and Individual Strand TASC testing and
½ day CTE Programming. Once TASC is successfully passed and CTE programming complete, student will receive a HS Diploma. Students enrolled in this program will receive transition services from the ODTP upon completion. This classroom will have 2 full time teachers provided by the HCS. The CTE staff will chair Option Pathway Meetings. HCS Secondary/CTE coordinator will work collaboratively with school level administrators for candidates.
- Minimum 16 years old
- At risk to not graduate with Co-hort
- Demonstrated absenteeism issues
- Achieved required scores on TRA and TABE Assessments
Option 2:
Pre Option Pathway full day education at United High School
Students who do not meet minimum Option Pathway score requirements will receive instruction from WVDE provided teacher in collaboration with HCS Option Pathway teachers. HCS Secondary/CTE coordinator will work collaboratively with school level administrators for candidates.
Option 3:
For Court Placed Students at Community Site
Students enrolled in this option will receive credit recovery supports or credit assistance. This classroom will have extended day teachers provided by HCS through a grant collaboration with the WVDE. To qualify for the program, students must have a record of truancy issues. These students would receive YRC services after school.
Evening or Tutoring Services 4:00 to 7:00 Monday-Thursday
- 9-12th grade students
Truancy Diversion Collaborative Sites Lincoln County
Option 1: For Court Placed Students at Lincoln County High School Option Pathway full day education
Students enrolled in this option will receive ½ day TASC preparation and ½ day CTE Programming at Lincoln County High School. Once TASC is successfully passed and CTE programming complete, student will receive a HS Diploma. Students enrolled in this program will receive transition services from ODTP upon completion. This classroom will have 1 full time teacher provided by the WVDE. To qualify for program, students must have record of truancy issues.
- Minimum 16 years old
- At risk to not graduate with Cohort
- Demonstrated absenteeism issues
- Achieved required scores on TRA and TABE Assessments
- 2 CTE courses Completed; eligible to complete final 2 courses in concentration
- Assign students to remain until program completed
Option 2: For Students receiving court ordered services at YRC at LCHS Lincoln County High School Enrollment
Students enrolled in this option will attend LCHS with as a regular high school student working toward graduation. These students will report to the YRC classroom to receive services from DJS, such as counseling.
Option 3: For Court Placed Students at Lincoln County High School
Students enrolled in this option will receive credit recovery supports or credit assistance. This classroom will have extended day teachers provided by LCS through a grant collaboration with the WVDE. To qualify for the program, students must have a record of truancy issues. These students would receive YRC services after school.
Evening or Tutoring Services 4:00 to 7:00 Monday-Thursday
- 7-12th grade students
- Demonstrated truancy issues
Truancy Diversion Collaborative Sites Monongalia County
Option 1: Option Pathway full day education at Morgantown High School
Students enrolled in this option will receive ½ day TASC preparation and Individual Strand TASC testing and
½ day CTE Programming at MCTC. Once TASC is successfully passed and CTE programming complete, student will receive a HS Diploma. Students enrolled in this program will receive transition services from the ODTP upon completion. This classroom will have 1 full time teacher provided by the WVDE. The CTE staff will chair Option Pathway Meetings. MCS Attendance Director will work collaboratively with school level administrator for candidates.
- Minimum 16 years old
- At risk to not graduate with Co-hort
- Demonstrated absenteeism issues
- Achieved required scores on TRA and TABE Assessments
Option 2: Option Pathway full day education at University High School
Students enrolled in this option will receive ½ day TASC preparation and Individual Strand TASC testing and
½ day CTE Programming at MCTC. Once TASC is successfully passed and CTE programming complete, student will receive a HS Diploma. Students enrolled in this program will receive transition services from the ODTP upon completion. This classroom will have 1 full time teacher provided by the WVDE. The CTE staff will chair Option Pathway Meetings. MCS Attendance Director will work collaboratively with school level administrator for candidates.
- Minimum 16 years old
- At risk to not graduate with Co-hort
- Demonstrated absenteeism issues
- Achieved required scores on TRA and TABE Assessments
Option 3: Court Placed Students at Community Site
Students enrolled in this option will receive credit recovery supports or credit assistance. This classroom will have extended day teachers provided by MCS through a grant collaboration with the WVDE. To qualify for the program, students must have a record of truancy issues. These students would receive YRC services after school.
Evening or Tutoring Services 4:00 to 7:00 Monday-Thursday
- 7-12th grade students
Truancy Diversion Collaborative Sites Putnam County
Option 1: at the Putnam County Career and Technical Education Center
Option Pathway full day education
Students enrolled in this option will receive ½ day TASC preparation and Individual Strand TASC testing and ½ day CTE Programming. Once TASC is successfully passed and CTE programming complete, student will receive a HS Diploma. Students enrolled in this program will receive transition services from the ODTP upon completion. This classroom will have 2 full time teachers provided by the WVDE. The CTE director will chair Option Pathway Meetings. PCS Attendance Director will work to produce list of candidates for screening.
- Minimum 16 years old
- At risk to not graduate with Co-hort
- Demonstrated absenteeism issues
- Achieved required scores on TRA and TABE Assessments
Option 2: Students Placed at OC Spaulding Building for Core Educational Supports
Students enrolled in this option will receive CORE educational supports. This classroom will have 1 part time teacher provided by PCS. These students will receive YRC services during the regular school day.
Day educational supports 9:00 to 1:00 three days per week
- Minimum 14 years old
- Tutoring or Credit Recovery Efforts
Option 3 :for Students at OC Spaulding Building for Tutoring Supports
Students enrolled in this option will receive credit recovery supports or credit assistance. This classroom will have extended day teachers provided by PCS through a grant collaboration with the WVDE. To qualify for the program, students must have a record of truancy issues. These students would receive YRC services after school.
Evening or Tutoring Services 4:00 to 7:00 Monday-Thursday
- 7-12th grade students