Post by samc on May 3, 2019 13:20:14 GMT -6
5/2/2019
Conversation with Roosevelt School STEM Lab Manager Chris.
1. What is going well?
- Great Group of Kids this year
- Training that Margery did last year was very practical and she is using it regularly this year. Feels that new Lab Managers would have benefited this year.
- She really loves that the lab boxes come all together this year vs. past years
- She feels that the labs are going well but since she has all 3rd graders, some of the content does need to be modified to keep the interest level up. Her background as a teacher makes this a lot easier to improvise on the fly but some other managers may struggle with this.
- Really glad that the counsel setup everything with the school which made focusing on lab and students a lot easier.
2. What is not going well? Why?
- Recruitment. In her opinion there a lot of obstacles with the Stevens Point School district and communicated between grade schools. Really feels more kids would have attended if they knew about it.
- That their lab got a late start. She feels we have to start the labs right at the beginning of the year otherwise they loose kids to other activities.
- Only has 3 students from Roosevelt school and the other two students are from other schools.
Why do you feel that you don't have any repeat kids from last year?
- 1 moved away, 3 were aged out, and the best student last year didn't like another student so they didn't join and come to find out the other student didn't come back either.
3. How is attendance compared to the beginning of the year?
- Less attendance the last 3 weeks due to sick kids and school activities interfering. She feels its end of the school year normal items.
4. Did you have behavioral Issues?
- Chris said no, she's easy going and used to keeping kids this age involved. Not a problem. They're just active 3rd graders.
5. What were your favorite modules/activities?
a. Why?
b. What module/activity would you eliminate?
- The best one where the chemistry Module and the LittleBits.
- She felt the old electronics lab was better when she trained with Margery than this years.
- Should wouldn't eliminate any of them but for 3rd graders specifically, the best results are when all the kids have their hands on or in the lab. She said when there are only 2 robots, certain kids loose interest but also understands that they can't have one for each student.
6. How is Parent Participation and perception?
- The parents rotated last year and this year Chandra (Students Mom) is there all the time. Both worked well and there is not negative perceptions and good participation for what she needs to conduct the lab.
7. How is the School's Perception and Feedback?
- No issues. The art room teacher works well with Chris, even gave her a little space to store stuff which was limited. Good so far. The office receives the lab content from Peter and never any issues.
8. Overall
- Focus on Recruitment. 2 of the 5 kids don't go to Roosevelt School. She laughed and said that's kind of a mixed message because there is no way she would want a group of 15-20 kids but feels that 8-12 would be about the perfect size.