Richmond Hill teacher introduces new learning model to high school

Pilot program will break the barriers between subjects

Yorkregion.com
August 17, 2018
Sheila Wang

It was the last day of the STEAM Project summer camp, and Jay Wengle was ready to take his hands-on teaching approach to another level.

Wengle, a Grade 9 science teacher at Richmond Hill High School, is introducing a STEAM Project pilot program at the school this coming school year, based on his experience in the summer camps over the past three years.

Featuring hands-on practice and new technologies, the program will break the barriers between different subjects -- science, technology, English, arts and math, or STEAM -- and merge them into two classes.

Students in the program will learn science and math together in one class in the first semester, and language and technology or arts in one class in the second semester. Each merged class lasts two class periods.

“We’re just able to save time teaching two different topics -- one project that addresses the math and science at the same time. And that’s, to be honest, the way the real world works,” Wengle said.

Math and science curricula overlap in many ways, the science teacher said. The integrated class could free up some time for students to do more hands-on projects that keep them engaged and motivated.

“This is really the inspiration,” Wengle said, as he watched the kids busy with designing and building gadgets on their own on the last day of the summer camp. “In here, anything is possible. We have all the equipment. We can make any kid’s ideas happen. I want to bring that to a high school setting.”

As one of the directors and owners of the STEAM Project summer camp, Wengle spent the past three summers teaching kids aged five to 14 at the summer camp.

He has been constantly amazed by what the campers have accomplished utilizing the latest technology, such as computer-aided designing, 3D printing and laser-cutting.

“I like it a lot,” said 10-year-old camper Krish Garg, who was showing off a model train car that he designed on a computer and built with his own hands. “You can make everything in the open factory.”

 
The “open factory” is coming to the classrooms at Richmond Hill High School as part of the pilot program this coming school year.

Wengle believes this new learning approach could enhance the current model of secondary education and better prepare the kids with the technical skills for the future.

Only 22 out of the 50 applicants have secured a spot in the pilot program through a design-based selection process and lottery drawing.

Wengle explained that this unique way of teaching is “not for all students.” It is more suitable for those who have a passion for problem-solving and teamwork.

But he welcomes all students and teachers to try their hands on the equipment he’s bringing to school: 3D printers and a laser cutter.

The science teacher hopes that he can expand the program to the higher grades in the following school year.