Gateways to Technology

Mr. Redden’s Gateway to Technology students have been working on designing, building, and programming a variety of robotic devices this semester. The devices are motorized and have several types of input devices or sensors to help students to solve a number of different problems. Students use a variety of C programming language to make their robots work… there was loads of “de-bugging” involved in getting the programs right!  One of the robotic challenges was to design and program a robot to follow a black line on a pieces of paper.

Leadership Class Uses Prezi

Mrs. Klaus' Leadership Classes were asked to present on several topic this spring including great Leaders and  tips to help students be more successful.  Several students choose to use Prezi to complete these assignments as a presentation tool.  Here are 2 examples of these presentations:

George Washington on Prezi

Time Management on Prezi

Virtual Microscopes in 6th Grade Science

Mr. Hardesty is introducing microscope skills to his sixth grade science students with the help of a virtual microscope.  As part of their exploration of cell theory,;differences between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes students need to learn how to work a microscope to examine the specimens.  Using this website, students learn to use the different adjustments of the microscope in order to get the best picture possible.    Images are then recorded by drawing them on to their assignment paper.  This is in preparation for bringing out the microscopes in class on Friday so students will have some understanding on how to work the microscope to be able to master the unit objectives.

Farewell Old Friends

After eleven years of service, these seven carts are being retired to make way for seven new carts of netbooks.    Teachers and students are very excited to start working on the new computers.

Career Exploration in 7th Grade

Seventh grade students have been spending time in the computer labs with Mrs. Leverette, the 7th grade counselor, to explore colleges and future careers using Career Cruiser.  They are learning what it takes to get into college and  what will make their application stand out by participating in volunteer activities and college prep.  For more information about what you can do for college and career readiness check out the counselor's webpage at: http://teacherweb.com/TX/RidgeviewMiddleSchool/CounselingDepartment/links1.aspx

SumoBots Invade Ridgeview

Each year students are offered a variety of technology camps to attend in the morning to learn new skills.  The first one this year included creating a Lego NXT robot that could stay in a ring and be able to push out their opponents.  The 2011 Sumobot Camp attracted 25 students who met each morning for a week to build and program an original robot.   Matches were held on Friday and the results can been seen in the video.