 As a business partner,
Siemens can be described as
forward-thinking, generous,
and ambitious.
At Rabbit Creek Elementary,
Siemens employees wanted
to help coordinate a Math/
Science Day for the students.
Rabbit Creek teachers and
Siemens employees worked
together to plan this event,
and the end result was an Egg
Drop project for fourth and
fifth grade students. Siemens
personnel created a learning
packet for the project,
which the teachers infused
into the curriculum. Siemens
employees also worked
alongside teachers to help small groups of
students “nest” their eggs in preparation
for the “big drop.”
The first egg drop project, which took
place in the spring of 2007, was such a
success that another is planned for 2008.
Teachers have discovered many ways to
expand the project, and over 100 students
have benefited from the event this year.
The students have so much fun engineering
their egg drops that they don’t even
realize they’re learning about the writing
process, research skills, and engineering
principles at the same time!
In addition, Siemens generously provided
a Promethean Interactive Whiteboard
to the school, which is currently utilized in
a fourth-grade classroom. Rabbit Creek
students have enthusiastically sent thank
you letters to the Siemens employees for
all their help and assistance!
On the high school level, Siemens
initiated a partnership with Dimond High
School in the spring of 2007. Siemens
offered two grants totaling $32,000 that
are being used to create an Engineering
House at Dimond. It will soon open to a
cohort of 50-60 students, and capacity is
expected to triple in the next three years.
Teachers in the Engineering House will
receive training and support, and students
will have the opportunity to take engineering
electives, common core classes, and
forge mentorships with local businesses. |
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Planning for the Engineering House has
been extensive, and includes the input of
many businesses in addition to Siemens
and Dimond staff members. This planning
group, called the Community Advisory
Council, has given valuable input into the
structure and purpose of the Engineering
House. Siemens also helped Dimond
staff members visit a school in Texas that
recently started an Engineering Academy.
In both school partnerships, Siemens
exhibits a tremendous amount of organization,
planning, and attention to detail.
The company understands the need for
staff development and collaboration, and
is willing to donate the necessary time and
funds to turn vision into reality.
Siemens recognizes that today’s students
are its future employees, so it has
taken a proactive role to promote excitement
in the fields of science, technology,
engineering and mathematics.
Mike Henry, High School Executive
Director; Leverette Hoover,
Siemens General Manager; Cheryl Guyett, Dimond Principal;
and Rhonda Gardner, Assistant
Superintendent accept the generous Siemens grant check for
the Dimond HS Engineering House. |
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