Bridge the DivideAn Elementary Pilot Program

Agenda

• Introductions• Technology as a Change Agent• Nutrition as a Change Agent• Introduction to Bridge the Divide(BTD)• BTD Pilot Curriculum• BTD Goals• What is the School’s Role?

Technology as a Change Agent

“Technology is the great equalizer -- Giving individuals the ability to dramatically improve the quality of a person’s life though the click of a mouse button.”

Dimitri KanevskyIBM T.J. Watson Research Center

Nutrition as a Change Agent

“I believe that parents need to make nutrition education a priority in their home environment. It’s crucial for good health and longevity to instill in your children sound eating habits from an early age.”

Cat KoraFood TV Iron Chef

Identify the problem

Children in underprivileged households face many challenges, many of which impact their learning.

1. Technology is expensive & underprivileged children have less opportunity to use it.

2. Healthy foods are more expensive than unhealthy foods & underprivileged households consume less of it.

Statistics of Underprivileged

1. National Assessment of Educational Progress http://nationsreportcard.gov/

Less than $10,000

$10,000-$14,999

$15,000-$19,999

$20,000-$24,999

$25,000-$34,999

$35,000-$49,999

$50,000-$74,999

05

101520253035404550

4.5

7

11

15.7

18.1

32.7

46

8.1

9.1

12.6

15.9

22

34.9

48.4

7.6

9.3

13

16.3

21.1

34.7

47.4

Percent of U.S. Households with a computer by income

Rural Urban Central City

National Telecommunications & Information Administration http://www.ntia.doc.gov

Technology & Academic Achievement• Teachers who had students use computers to solve simulations

observed “positive benefits” on achievement as measured in NAEP’s mathematics test.

• Insufficient nutrient intake during childhood has been linked to physical and mental health problems as well as emotional and behavioral problems, learning deficiencies, and lower grades.

• Six- to eleven-year-old children from food-insufficient families had significantly lower arithmetic scores and were more likely to have repeated a grade. [2]

2. Alaimo, K., Olson, C.M., Frongillo Jr., E.A. Food insufficiency and American school-aged children's cognitive, academic, and psychosocial development. PediatricsJuly 2001;108(1):44-53;/

Nutrition Studies

• Coordinated nutrition education programs have improved children’s eating habits, leading to a decreased reported daily intake of fat, and an increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables. [3]

• School Breakfast Programs have been shown to improve academic, behavioral, and emotional functioning, leading to increased composite math and reading scores. [4]

4. Minnesota Department of Children Families and Learning. School breakfast programs energizing the classroom 1998; [17] Murphy, J.M. et al. Effects of a universally free, in-classroom school breakfast program: results from the Maryland Meals for Achievement Evaluation. Initial Report 1999 May 4;

Nutrition & Academic Achievement

3. Prevention Institute for the Center for Health Improvement (CHI). Initial Report May 2002

Introduction to Bridge the Divide

Mission & Goals

Mission“Bridging the educational divide through technology, nutrition and authentic experience.”

Curriculum GoalsTo teach students how to feed themselves both literally and figuratively through use of technology and agricultural knowledge to empower them toward fulfilling dreams, total well being and simplification of practical needs.

Nutrition

Authentic Ex-perience

Technology

Technology Key Concepts

• History of Computers• Computer Components• Basic Computer Skills• Understanding Operating Systems & Programs• Identifying creative outlets• EduBuntu Education Oriented Operating System• Lumosity Personalized Training Program

What is Linux?

• Linux is a free and open source computer operating system used on computers, servers, and mobile devices.

QUICK FACTS• More than 90% of today’s 500 fastest super computers run some variant of Linux.

• Android system on mobile devices is built on the Linux kernel.

EduBuntu

• Edubuntu is a variant of Linux designed for use in classrooms.

• Developed in collaboration with teachers and technologists in multiple countries.

• Designed for children, ages 6-18.

Typing & Word Processing

Math & Arithmetic

Arts & Sciences

Lumosity

Designed by neuroscientists to improve core cognitive functions

• Enhance memory and attention• Personalize a training program• Track changes in performance

Nutrition Key Concepts

• What are Earth Sciences?• Water Cycle & Recycling• Gardening Basics• Food Pyramid• Environmental Conservation & Protection

Authentic Experience Key Concepts

• Team Building• Self-Sufficiency• Independence• Confidence• Entreprenuership• Respect• Responsibility• Resourcefulness

Core Values

Respect• For the Earth• For the Welfare of Others• For My Knowledge and the Knowledge of Others

Responsibility• To Protect the Earth• To Help Others• To Build My Knowledge and the Knowledge of Others

Resourcefulness• By Working in Harmony with the Earth• By Sharing Our Harvest With others• By Improving My Habits and Ideas and the Habits and Ideas of Others

Program Details

• Start Date: September 3rd

• Max Students: 30• Length of Program:

18 weeks from 3:30PM-5:30PM Tuesdays and Thursdays

• 1 Family DinnersPrepared by students from their garden

• Fundraising & EntrepreneurshipVegetables will be turned into Salsa and sold through fundraising

websiteFundraiser Dinner

Generic Day

3:30Check In Prep & breakdown day, includes snack- 15 minutes

3:4545 minute Session I for Group A, Session II for Group B

4:3045 minute Session II for Group A, Session I for Group B

5:15Unstructured time & clean up

BTD Pilot Curriculum

Technology Day

Exercise 1: Find the ComputerIntroduction: Discuss what is and is not a computer to determine the location of computers in everyday life. This includes a brief history of the computer and the components necessary to consider something a computer.

Main Idea: To encourage innovating thinking about how technology can be used to show students that the computers and technology surrounding us are not as complex as they seem.

Action: Students will identify common locations for computers in everyday scenarios, aided by a computer slide show.

Technology Day

Exercise 2: Basic Computer ComponentsIntroduction: Look inside a computer to determine what each component does.Main Idea: Empowering and developing deductive skills through understanding the working interior of a pc/laptop and building a foundation for troubleshooting and repairing basic common failures on their own.

Action: Using a partially deconstructed computer, ask students to locate as many computer components as possible and try to deduce their primary function(s.) Answer the following:

What are the parts of a desktop computer?What does each part do?Can you take it out if it breaks and put in a new one?

Agriculture Day

Exercise 1: “The Story of Stuff” by Annie LeonardIntroduction: Share basic information about Earth Science and how whole systems operate to make everything work together on Earth.

Main Idea: Everything that can be recycled back into the soil can be used to improve upon and build new soil.

Action: View the short animated Film “The Story of Stuff” by Annie Leonard on computer screens or projector.

Agriculture Day

Exercise 2: Square Inch GardenIntroduction: Improve student’s knowledge of the difference between “dirt” and “soil”.

Main Idea: Microorganisms work to utilize detritus and frass (insect dung) back into living matter and strengthen soil’s ability to provide new growth.

Action: Each student will carefully examine a small area of school garden grounds looking for any signs of life: color differentials, smells, movement etc. These will be catalogued via discussion and written capture.

Short Term Goals

• Access to Lumosity• Finalize Non-Profit status• Fundraising & Grants• Help students apply core values of program into their life• Teach students how to use technology to help them problem solve• Learn to grow your own food through agricultural innovation no

matter where you live• Identify gaps and shortfalls in curriculum

Long Term Goals

• Bridge the Divide & give every child in Louisville equal access to technology• Upon completion of program students with a 90% attendance rate will

receive a recycled computer and plants in containers• Hire Director to Program in 2014• Help children to be well informed enough to make their own decisions in the

future (Tech/magnet school)• Provide opportunities for peer mentoring• City hot spots• Integration into the JCPS daytime curriculum• Evolve curriculum based on results of pilots

What is the school’s role

• Space• Faculty• Metrics for success• Feedback loop

Bridge the DivideA Wellington Elementary Pilot

Program