Brandywine Wallace fourth-graders recently received a visitor from state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, who stopped by to learn about the district's mobile innovation lab and to engage students in a dialogue about how they can make a difference in their communities.
Fourth-grade teacher Jennifer Moghaddam originally had the idea to invite Otten when the class began studying the government on the national, state and local levels. She noted that the class toured the state Capitol in Harrisburg on Nov. 8.
Otten's first stop during her visit was the district's Mobile Innovation Lab. The converted school bus is a state-of-the-art STEAM mobile classroom that travels to each of Downingtown Area School District's (DASD) 10 elementary schools. A project of the Downingtown Community Education Foundation, the Mobile Lab offers students throughout the district the opportunity to interact with advanced technologies and participate in unique educational experiences. Using a Makey Makey closed circuit kit, Otten helped students build a game control and then play Pac-Man. Students then learned some of the fundamentals of electrical conduction and reflected on their teamwork abilities.
Next, Otten visited fourth-grade social studies students. Students have been learning about their local legislators and how a bill becomes a law. Otten, who has a kindergartner in the district, asked students questions about what it means to protect the health and safety of their communities and how students can make a difference. She shared the story of how she became a legislator and encouraged students to take ownership in making positive changes in their communities. Students offered suggestions for change, including planting trees, recycling, using composters and using metal straws. Students became especially engaged when Otten used her proposed recess bill as a way to walk students through the steps it takes to create a law. Student volunteers discussed the pros and cons of increased recess time, and the room took a vote.
To learn more about the Downingtown Community Education Foundation, the Mobile Innovation Lab or other opportunities for students in the district, readers may visit http://www.dasd.org.
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