Teaching and Learning: OCS Science Teachers learn Design Engineering Process with Duke University

It may be summer in Orange County Schools, but the learning never stops! Two of our outstanding middle school science teachers, Jeff Faulkner of Orange Middle School and Kristie Mabry of A.L. Stanback Middle School, were selected to participate in the Outreach Design Education (ODE) Summer Design Camp with Duke University.

During 5 weeks of professional development, Faulkner and Mabry are working with students and program leaders to learn the design engineering process through hands-on STEM activities. As a part of the program, these teacher leaders will develop curriculum that incorporates the engineering design process to inspire and engage students in science classrooms throughout OCS!

Mabry said she hopes that bringing a new style of lesson plan back to her students will inspire their love of science well beyond her classroom.

“I think the payoff for me going to this camp will be that I can accurately implement the design process so my students can learn the steps, because we know this (engineering and design) is a science field that keeps growing,” she said. “Hopefully it inspires a love for science, and that's my only goal,” she said.

Faulkner said that bringing this curriculum to OCS will expand students' opportunities by helping them explore cutting-edge topics and innovative methods to solve problems.

“Students will get practice in bio-engineering, which is something that we are not doing right now in the classrooms,” Faulkner said. “It will give the students another opportunity for career readiness, for college readiness, and just another option for their future.”

We are excited to share more about this amazing experience and watch it blossom in our middle schools and beyond! Stay tuned for more updates and details regarding this story.
 

📸: Duke ODE Summer Design Camp