Edison Middle School in Meriden honored for engineering program

March 19th, 2018

Edison Middle School in Meriden honored for engineering program 

March 19, 2018 05:41PM
By Leigh Tauss, Record-Journal staff

MERIDEN — Thomas Edison Middle School is being nationally recognized for an engineering program that teaches students how to use computer software to transform ideas on a page into physical products.

The school was one of four in the state to receive the Project Lead the Way Distinguished School Award for 2018.

“It’s been really instrumental in helping our kids learn the engineering standards and keep up with some cutting edge educational trends,” said Principal Karen Habegger.

Project Lead the Way is a non-profit organization that aims to inspire and empower students through computer science, engineering and biomedical science. Edison, a regional magnet school on North Broad Street operated by Area Cooperative Educational Services, received a substantial grant and began implementing an engineering program at the school three years ago. The school’s eighth graders are the first class to complete three years of the curriculum, which includes robotics and aerodynamics.

All 710 students at the school participate in the engineering program, Habegger said.

Edison’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics coordinator Caitlin Lombardi said the program teaches students to think like engineers to solve complex problems by using computer software and technical skills.

“The goal of it is that the kids are as hands-on as possible,” Lombardi said. “We use the technology in conjunction with the actual hands-on experiences.”

In one classroom, eighth grade students were tinkering with a miniature conveyor belt they had designed and constructed from scratch. The machine worked by pushing a small 3-D printed object through the belt.

While students were taught how to use robotics software, minimum instruction is given on how to make the machines actually work as intended, forcing students to think creatively and problem solve. Learning occurs through the process of trial and error, building and rebuilding a machine or prototype.

“It challenged the way you think,” said Alice Talbott, 13. “It teaches you you won’t always have the answers. You have to improvise a lot.”

“It taught me how you can turn different little pieces into a machine and make it work,” said Emmanuel Neale, 14. “You can work with whatever you have.”

In another room, students worked with flight simulation software to design aerodynamic model planes. At the end of the class, students would construct planes using balsa wood.

While constantly tweaking a design can be frustrating, 13-year-old Janyla Weaver said it’s worth it in the end.

“The challenge is so the outcome will be better,” Weaver said. “I feel accomplished. It makes you feel good, like, I created this. This is mine.”

ltauss@record-journal.com
203-317-2231

Twitter: @LeighTaussRJ