Eighth graders in Cheyenne Herland’s science classes at DaVinci Academy recently made a splash — literally.
As part of a lesson on the relationship between mass and energy, small groups of students designed experiments where they dropped a mass the size of their choosing into a half-bucket of water in the school’s courtyard.
“They got to go outside and do some hands-on inquiry in the world,” Herland said, noting that inspiration for the drops came from watching a video clip from the movie the Sandlot, where a boy does a cannonball into a pool, which results in a huge splash.
The students did three or four drops from different heights and made slow-motion video recordings of the experiments. They then made a graph showing those results.
With the help of Canvas, an online learning management system the school implemented three years ago, students not only see their own data, but everyone else’s as well. Part of the experiment involved a journal entry by each group, which is also accessible to the whole grade, thanks to Canvas.
Technology plays an invaluable role in the way teachers teach and student learn at DaVinci Academy, Fred Donaldson, the school’s executive administrator, said. Another benefit of the use of technology is that it opens up new ways for parents to stay involved in what their children are learning at school.
“We want parents to be more involved in their kids’ education because they’ll be more successful,” Donaldson said.
The school hosts parent technology training, aimed at helping parents understand such things as how to navigate the Canvas system and check their students’ grades online.
Laptops are a common sight in DaVinci’s classrooms, which is essential given the emphasis the school places on technology. The school’s goal is to eventually have a laptop for every student.
DaVinci’s charter is two-sided, Donaldson explained. One side is technology and the other is arts. He believes the two disciplines go hand in hand.
In speaking of art, Donaldson said, “It just ties the bow on the package.” DaVinci has excelled in the arts, with the best actress in the state being selected from the school last year.
“It’s a tribute that there’s a lot of talent coming from here.”
New facilities are currently under construction at DaVinci’s high school campus, with new science classrooms being added. At the school’s elementary campus a new playground will soon be constructed after input from students about what they would like to have there.
In talking about what he thinks is the best part of DaVinci Academy, Donaldson is quick to mention the teachers.
“I think what makes DaVinci truly unique is the dedication of the teachers. They’re not perfect, but they work very hard to make good relationships with the kids, and they’re wanting to do more and more and more to help the kids. They care. And I know all teachers care, but it just seems like we’ve got a good bunch of them in one building.”
