Featured School
This Month's Featured School: Miles Davis Magnet Academy
It’s been a great year for Lauryn Hill, a fifth grader at Miles Davis Magnet Academy (6740 S. Paulina St.).
Between programming and building musical robots (she is, after all, named after the famous singer/rapper), learning about combustions, creating mock volcanoes, and earning a scholarship to the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy for the summer, there’s been a lot going on.
Still, even with the school year technically still in session, it’s all about looking forward to next year.
“I want to see what types of programs they offer,” she said, adding that she hopes that more robotics courses get thrown into the curriculum next year.
Davis reopened in its new, sparkling building as the first children’s engineering school in Chicago in 2008. Next year, according to technology specialist Danta Alexander, Davis plans to offer a video game creation elective, along with various other engineering- and technology-focused classes.
“The way we teach students has changed this year – and the students have responded positively,” said Principal Cheryl Armstrong-Belt.
That “positive” response has certainly been the case for the fourth grade son of Octavia Bailey, one of Davis’ most active parents.
She said her son’s “enthusiasm has skyrocketed” at Davis – and so have his grades.
Children’s engineering students use the engineering design process (Ask-Imagine-Plan-Create-Improve) to problem solve in all areas of the curriculum. Engineering concepts are woven into the school day in every class, including math, science, social studies, and the arts.
At the K-5 level, students experience teacher-designed inquiry projects that integrate engineering into various subject areas. In addition, teachers utilize the Engineering is Elementary curriculum.
As an example of this type of curriculum, Alexander explained, students read a story about a rabbit entering a garden – uninvited. First, students analyze the problem scientifically, determining how strong a fence they would need to keep the rabbit out, what it would be made of, and its dimensions. Then, students physically construct the fence that would keep even Bugs Bunny himself away from the carrots.
At the 6th-8th grade levels, students engage in the Project Lead the Way curriculum – an activity-oriented program designed to help students explore math, science, and technology. In these years, students are encouraged to become advanced engineers, scientists, and designers.
Also, Davis offers a plethora of outside-the-class activities. The “Gēk Squad” – spelled that way to avoid copyright infringement – is a help-desk club made up of middle school students. There are also clubs and programs called Future City, Lego League, and many others.
Rommel Slater, a seventh grader, takes advantage of several of these programs.
“Everybody talks to and knows each other at Davis,” he said, adding that he enjoys the friendly atmosphere. Rommel earned special recognition this year at a citywide science fair – which got him a cash prize.
Prospective parents and students are invited to the school for a culminating event that will feature student work. The event, called “Engineering My Future,” will be held on June 16th at 9:30 a.m.
For more information about this event, or the school in general, call the Office of Academic Enhancement at 773-553-2060. You can also call Davis directly at 773-535-9120 or visit the school on the web at milesdavismagnet.org.