To any juniors and seniors who are interested, WPI is offering pre-college STEM programs. Some of the programs offered are in Biology, Physics, Robotics, Engineering Technology, Chemistry/Biochemistry, and more!
If you are interested, click here.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Monday, December 11, 2017
Learning Fair: Bringing Back the Blackstone
Last week, the ETA held its annual learning fair on Wednesday, December 7th.
It opened with Mr. Garcia introducing the night, and explaining the learning fairs to the parents, guardians, and guests on the students. Ina Zhidro and Ama Agyeman-Williams, the student speakers, talked about the project. Zhidro walked through the specifics of the project and how it related to all of the five core subjects of the Engineering and Technology Academy. Agyeman-Williams spoke of the dangers of procrastination and about the more challenging aspects of the project.
After that, the learning fair officially began. Guests walked around, seeing the models and the all the hard work the students had put in. Students explained the fair to the guests and showcased the projects that they had spent so long on. It was the busiest fair we've had in years!
It opened with Mr. Garcia introducing the night, and explaining the learning fairs to the parents, guardians, and guests on the students. Ina Zhidro and Ama Agyeman-Williams, the student speakers, talked about the project. Zhidro walked through the specifics of the project and how it related to all of the five core subjects of the Engineering and Technology Academy. Agyeman-Williams spoke of the dangers of procrastination and about the more challenging aspects of the project.
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| Mr. Garcia opening the night |
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| Ama Agyeman-Williams |
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| Ina Zhidro |
After that, the learning fair officially began. Guests walked around, seeing the models and the all the hard work the students had put in. Students explained the fair to the guests and showcased the projects that they had spent so long on. It was the busiest fair we've had in years!
At the end of the fair, two raffle winners (one guest and one student) were awarded $25 gift card to Barnes and Nobles. We'd like to thank the students and teachers for all of their hard work and dedication. If you have any ideas on how we did at the fair, please comment below. We'd love to hear your thoughts!
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| From left to right: Ms. Cochran, Ms. Vanni, Ms. Perez, Mr. Garcia and Mr. Simmarano |
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
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The Blackstone Canal
Engineering and Technology Academy Invites You!
The ETA is holding their 9th annual “Bringing Back the Blackstone” project fair, and welcome the community to see. Those who attend will have the freedom to walk around and talk to the students, parents, and staff about the projects and the future of the Canal District, in a casual environment. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Date:
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm.
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Wednesday, November 8, 2017
The Blackstone Canal
The History of the Blackstone Canal:
The Blackstone Canal was a canal that ran from Providence to Worcester, through the Blackstone Valley, giving it its name. The canal was created by a merchant community that wished to profit from the trade in the greater Worcester area. The proposed waterway would use water locks and natural bodies of water to give the people of Massachusetts and Rhode Island better prices for their goods. The builder of the canal was Benjamin Wright, who also helped create the Erie Canal, and Holmes Hutchinson, who went on to build canals in New York state. Construction began in 1825, and on October 7th, 1828, the Lady Carrington officially opened the canal. The canal was very profitable to Worcester. At its highest, the canal was 451 feet, and passed over 45 canal locks. The canal also helped to bring the countryside into the more urban parts of Worcester and Providence.
However, the canal became increasingly polluted over time and was made obsolete by trains, which moved far faster than the boats. In 1848, the canal was closed, and later, due to pollution, Worcester covered up what remained. The canal still exists underneath Harding Street.
Overview:
The basis of this project is the idea of bringing back the Blackstone Canal. This would increase tourism in the area, causing the need for new businesses along the canal, boosting the local economy. The students are each "given" a 120x120 ft. plot of land, as well as one of five sectors to work with, ie. commercial, residential, industrial, recreational, and cultural. They must get a building permit approved by two teachers before they can officially begin.
Engineering:
For the engineering project, students must design a scale building on Inventor, and build it in real life. They have to build the whole thing to scale, also accepting the parameters of the project.
Science:
In science, the students have to create a "Green Plan" for their building. They have to research new and developing environmentally friendly technologies, then utilize them within their design.
English:
For English, the students must write a letter to the mayor. This implements their writing skills, as they must write a persuasive essay to explain what their building will do for the city, such as the economy, the green energies they will use, and how they plan to run their business.
Math:
For the math portion of the project, the students have to design, on paper, how they want their land to be laid out. They also have to do this to scale and label every part of their design.
History:
For the history portion, the students have to research the dates of the Blackstone Canal. It is a three part timeline, that includes the history of the Industrial Revolution, the history of the Blackstone Canal, and the history of Worcester. Students are graded on their creativity, accuracy, and originality.
The Learning Fair:
Students have to put all of their work on a poster board, to be graded by their Engineering teacher (Ms. Cochran) for neatness, design, and creativity. The posters are then put on display in the cafeteria their parents, friends, and community to see. The learning fair is a chance to relax and take pride in all of the student's work and effort.
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| An artist's rendering of a modern Blackstone Canal. www.golocalworcester.com |
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| An etching of the Blackstone canal. www.blackstonedaily.com |
However, the canal became increasingly polluted over time and was made obsolete by trains, which moved far faster than the boats. In 1848, the canal was closed, and later, due to pollution, Worcester covered up what remained. The canal still exists underneath Harding Street.
 |
| The canal being covered up in Worcester. www.worcesterhisory.org |
Overview:
The basis of this project is the idea of bringing back the Blackstone Canal. This would increase tourism in the area, causing the need for new businesses along the canal, boosting the local economy. The students are each "given" a 120x120 ft. plot of land, as well as one of five sectors to work with, ie. commercial, residential, industrial, recreational, and cultural. They must get a building permit approved by two teachers before they can officially begin.
Engineering:
For the engineering project, students must design a scale building on Inventor, and build it in real life. They have to build the whole thing to scale, also accepting the parameters of the project.
Science:
In science, the students have to create a "Green Plan" for their building. They have to research new and developing environmentally friendly technologies, then utilize them within their design.
English:
For English, the students must write a letter to the mayor. This implements their writing skills, as they must write a persuasive essay to explain what their building will do for the city, such as the economy, the green energies they will use, and how they plan to run their business.
Math:
For the math portion of the project, the students have to design, on paper, how they want their land to be laid out. They also have to do this to scale and label every part of their design.
History:
For the history portion, the students have to research the dates of the Blackstone Canal. It is a three part timeline, that includes the history of the Industrial Revolution, the history of the Blackstone Canal, and the history of Worcester. Students are graded on their creativity, accuracy, and originality.
The Learning Fair:
Students have to put all of their work on a poster board, to be graded by their Engineering teacher (Ms. Cochran) for neatness, design, and creativity. The posters are then put on display in the cafeteria their parents, friends, and community to see. The learning fair is a chance to relax and take pride in all of the student's work and effort.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
First Engineering Week!
On October 13th, the freshmen will start their first Engineering Intensive Week. It will be a five period block where the students are introduced to the Learning Fair Project, surveying, scale, and the basics of civil/architectural engineering. Students who have the 5-block period should bring clothes to be worn outside (dress for the weather), and a snack to be eaten before lunch. The classes that do not have the 5-block period will go to their other four classes for a slightly extended period of time. The schedule goes as follows:
Oct. 13th: Ms. Vanni's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Ms. Vanni's class first.)
Oct. 16th: Mr. Simmarano's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Mr. Simmarano's class first.)
Oct. 17th: Mr. Garcia's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Mr. Garcia's class first.)
Oct. 18th: Ms. Perez's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Ms. Perez's class first.)
Oct. 19th: Ms. Cochran's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering.
Oct. 13th: Ms. Vanni's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Ms. Vanni's class first.)
Oct. 16th: Mr. Simmarano's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Mr. Simmarano's class first.)
Oct. 17th: Mr. Garcia's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Mr. Garcia's class first.)
Oct. 18th: Ms. Perez's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Ms. Perez's class first.)
Oct. 19th: Ms. Cochran's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Math Textbook
The online math textbook has been updated! To get it, please follow these steps.
Step 1: Log into the Student Portal (link here)
Step 2: Under "Student Links", Click "McGraw Hill ConnectEd"
Step 3: When on the McGraw Hill page, do not click "Add". Simply click on the book cover that is yours
Step 4: Click on the e-book for the access to individual pages
McGraw Hill ConnectEd also provides extra resources to students. There are tutor videos and quizzes to check their math skills.
Step 1: Log into the Student Portal (link here)
Step 2: Under "Student Links", Click "McGraw Hill ConnectEd"
Step 3: When on the McGraw Hill page, do not click "Add". Simply click on the book cover that is yours
Step 4: Click on the e-book for the access to individual pages
McGraw Hill ConnectEd also provides extra resources to students. There are tutor videos and quizzes to check their math skills.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Know Your School Night
Know Your School Night will be on Thursday, October 12th, at 6:30 pm. Parents of freshmen students in the Engineering and Technology Academy will:
- Go to their child's first period class shown on the schedule provided
- Will then be taken to the library, with all of the other freshmen ETA parents, for a more detailed discussion about what being in the ETA will mean.
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