Thematic Units - A Highly Effective Way to Engage Learners
Have you ever walked into a classroom but felt like you were in the forest, the ocean, outer space, or on a farm? If so, that teacher was likely using thematic units to bring the curriculum to life.
Thematic units are when a teacher uses a theme to teach across multiple classroom disciplines. In early childhood, this is a highly effective way to engage learners. Since the brain naturally looks for patterns and connections, we learn more effectively when learning topics are not segmented, but grouped together and based on our current knowledge (Moyer, 2016). Thematic units increase student motivation and academic achievement (Tuffelmire, 2017).
The CHSR project’s Fresno River viaduct is seen in 2018. California High-Speed Rail Authority photo.
Dealing with an environmentally sensitive area, California’s high-speed rail project is polluting its budget, according to a Los Angeles Times report.
The
LA Times hit the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) with another black eye in a Feb. 22 report that claims the agency went with the lowest bidder on a 65-mile section in Kings County and is now paying the ultimate price. The area is full of environmental obstacles, including an ancient lakebed and a fertile agricultural belt south of Fresno.
Back in 2014, Spain-based contractor Dragados USA promised it could do the work for $300 million less than the next lowest bidder, but design changes have led to more than $800 million in cost overruns and construction delays, LA Times Special Correspondent Ralph Vartabedian wrote.
Carmel School students build air filters for campus buildings Carmel School (Source: Carmel School) By Adrianna Hargrove | February 20, 2021 at 11:53 AM EST - Updated February 20 at 11:53 AM
RUTHER GLEN, Va. (WWBT) - Engineering and robotics students at Carmel School built and designed three air filters for each building on campus. The students learned about air quality and filtration before building the units.
The systems will be used in the Lower School, Middle/Upper School, and Athletic Center buildings.
The filters were built based on the “Comparetto Cube” design by Neil Comparetto. Carmel School (Source: Carmel School)
“This project is exciting because the students built working units capable of filtering COVID-19 as well as many allergens. The units can be used by the school to help us continue to stay safe and healthy,” Ms. Kember Forcke, Robotics & Engineering Teacher said. “Each unit should last six months and will filter approximately 60,000 cubic
Northern California: Link21 Megaproject Unveiled Written by Bill Wilson, Engineering Editor; and Editor-in-Chief, Railway Track & Structures
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) have embarked on Link21, described as “a transformational improvement program” that will connect BART with the region’s intercity, commuter and high-speed passenger rail systems while also “connecting people sustainably to employment opportunities and affordable housing throughout the 21-county Northern California Megaregion.”
The northern California Megaregion is a 21-county area covering the Sacramento, San Francisco Bay, Northern San Joaquin Valley and the Monterey Bay areas.
Link21, formerly known as the New Transbay Rail Crossing, is a program of various projects that “will provide more services, faster connections and better access to jobs for the Megaregion’s tra
Cedar Hill Scholars Learn Robotics Through Virtual Program
Were You Able To Learn About Robotics In High School?
(CEDAR HILL, TEXAS) Curtis Morgan is used to working with scholars on building robots that they take to VEX Robotics Competitions.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed many things, and one of them is the way Morgan, an Engineering Teacher at Cedar Hill High School, and his scholars approach robotics.
There are 80 scholars in Morgan’s Robotics I class and six in Robotics II.
Instead of physically building robots, the scholars are engaged in online coding competitions.
Last month, Cedar Hill’s “Coderz” Team won its first round match at a competition.