instructional technology . Over the previous two years , the district has purchased more than 1,000 Chromebooks for use use in grades K-12 . Chromebooks have been integral in enhancing and personalizing educational opportunities for students .
In addition to the Chromebook initiative , the District has also been involved with integrating interactive whiteboards , adding 3D printers in all schools , purchasing laser cutters , and supplementing instruction with various other technological tools . Some of these tools were supported through grants and EITC funding .
It is an exciting time to be a Franklin Regional student , parent and educator . I am so proud to be part of a community that both expects and supports educational innovation and a continuous evolution in the learning process . I am confident that the programs we have in place and the ones that are yet to come will create a generation of strategic and creative citizens , who will make their communities , workplaces , and our world better places to live and work !
Sincerely ,
Dr . Gennaro R . Piraino , Jr . Superintendent of Schools
FirstEnergy Classroom Grant Propels Sloan Elementary ’ s STEM LittleBits Project Forward
Sloan Elementary teachers Ms . Carmen Loughner and Ms . Kimberly Ord were awarded a $ 1,000 STEM Classroom Grant from FirstEnergy .
Money from this grant will be used to purchase LittleBits , which are innovative circuits that promote the extension and deeper understanding of skills that were previously covered in the electrical circuit unit in science class .
The LittleBits kits provide the students an opportunity to manipulate series and parallel circuits in a format most often used in electronics and various other computer devices .
Shown ( from left ) are Ms . Tina Burns , Sloan Principal , Ms . Loughner and Ms . Ord , teachers , Terri Knupp , FirstEnergy Area Manager , and Superintendent Dr . Gennaro R . Piraino , Jr .
After reading the novel “ The City of Ember ,” students will be able to apply what they have read from the story and what they have learned in science class . They will be able to create a scene from the story , create a new ending or research ways to generate electricity from the ground and incorporate this into their student-driven LittleBits circuits . The groups will be evaluated on their teamwork , perseverance , and the circuit created .
FR Elementary 3D Printers Teach Advanced Skills
All three Franklin Regional elementary schools received a grant from Gurrentz International for the purchase of 3D printers . This year , the art and technology teachers in each school ( Lisa Guidry , Emily LaSlavic , Kelly Bickmore , Tammy Gianvito , Danielle Hartman , and Leslie Campbell ) began teaching their 5th grade students how to use advanced design software to create a 3D image that can be printed using the 3D printer . The software these students are using is beyond their grade level ; however , the students have embraced the technology and are now working to create art projects that will be displayed at the FR Festival of Arts , presented by the FR Panther Foundation , on March 30 , 2017 from 6-8 p . m . at the Franklin Regional Senior High School . The 3D printers and student art work are featured on this month ’ s IN Murrysville cover . ranklin Regional
FRANKLIN REGIONAL NEWS
FR CalcuSolve Team Celebrates Winners
Franklin Regional Senior High School ’ s ( FRSH ) CalcuSolve team brought home several wins at a recent CalcuSolve competition .
Evan Zhou was the Third Place Individual winner and Bhav Jain and Elena Swecker were the Second Place Individual winners . The FRSH CalcuSolve team earned Second Place . The FRSH CalcuSolve Team include Evan Zhou , Bhav Jain , Elena Swecker , Vineet Madduru , and Quincy Bayer . They competed against several teams from Allegheny and Westmoreland County school districts .
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