Friendswood
Junior High
Lessons in Motion
A group of students put their
programming skills to the
test as they drive the Sphero
robot to navigate the maze.
Once the Friendswood Junior High library was just a room with
shelves of books, and a place where kids could come to quietly
read books and do research. FJH reinvented the once traditional
"library” into the Mustang Media Center (MMC). Though traditional
research activities continue in the MMC, dynamic, interactive
spaces have been added offering technology integration and
opportunities for collaboration.
“I really enjoy the
MMC. We are able to
use all the technology
with our lessons and
it is not only a library.”
- Molly
English Language Art classes are having a “book
tasting” to read passages of different books and make a
choice for the next book they will read.
Science students are creating atoms with the
interactive television. Students drag and drop
parts of the atom into place based on the atomic
structure.
The MMC is an updated and relevant learning space
conducive for promoting 21st Century skills needed for
today's student. There are seven different areas that can be
reserved by not only teachers but also by students. All areas
can be adapted for any lesson.
On a typical day, there may be a group of students working
on a coding activity using Chromebooks, while another group of
students uses the Tech Team Up area to play an interactive review
FJH experiments with NASA Astronauts
game. There are a variety of interactive tools available to students
such as Spheros, Ozobots, Cubelets, Cosmo Robots, and Little
Bits. Students also have access to two green screen areas for
creating and producing their own original videos.
“I like the organization in the MMC and I can find everything. I
also like all the different activities.” - Leah
This updated and dynamic space is full of creativity and authentic
learning. The Integration Specialists work with teachers to
transform lessons and teach new skills, as they endeavor to create
a relevant and transformational space for the learners of today.
12
Thursday, February 1, students from Friendswood
Junior High School participated live in a sugar
crystal growth experiment on Earth while they
watched astronauts on the International Space
Station perform the same experiment.