Minneapolis Public Schools

Current Students do not need to re-enroll. New students can start February 18th. GEMS and GISE are after-school STEM programs designed for MPS students. This class will meet twice a week, each session lasting about 2 hours. Students will focus on explorations of science and mathematics through project-based and problem-based learning experiences promoting the integration of engineering and technology concepts, content, and process. Explore Science and Engineering! In these engaging and investigative classes students are immersed in the fundamentals of aerospace engineering and rocketry through an interactive problem-based approach. Working in pairs, students solve a series of complex problems designing, constructing and testing a variety of aircraft. GEMS-GISE-STEM students conduct hands-on investigations exploring aerospace engineering and related career fields. Students explore this specialized field that includes the design of spacecraft and aircraft. Discovering that air (navigating within the earth's atmosphere) and spacecraft (operating primarily in outer space, beyond the earth's atmosphere) are technologies that extend human potential to transport people and goods. Students work and learn through exciting, project-based aerospace engineering activities designing, constructing, testing, and troubleshooting as they work toward their final flight.

Titans of Technology (formerly Literacy Legends) is a project-based course designed to integrate literacy and technology while promoting student collaboration. Students will work independently, with a partner, and in small collaborative groups of four to five students. Students will engage with technology in various forms: (podcasting, Computer Animated Design (CAD) for 3D modeling, exploration with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), Google Suite applications, Flip video creation, coding, etc.). Students will utilize technology to complete various projects that promote literacy in action. Example One: students will develop video presentations for the Lake Harriet Lower Campus outdoor learning space (OLS). These videos would be mini research projects describing elements within the OLS: sunflowers (why so tall?), tomatoes (fruit or vegetable?), Maple trees (history of making syrup). As students or other visitors walk the paths of the OLS, they can activate the videos from any device via the displayed QR code. Example Two: With Cospaces (a 3D modeling platform for computer animated design - CAD) students can research then build their own VR/AR experiences to share with others: a 3D infographic on a topic of interest; virtual exhibits; interactive storyboards. Example Three: Students can work in small groups to develop our school newspaper and/or podcast series to be shared with the entire Lake Harriet Upper community. Click this link to learn more about the FlipAR projects for the outdoor learning space (OLS): https://drive.google.com/file/d/11ZH48e30eU04aZ51ztJPOemU4m7U50o-/view?usp=sharing