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Sierra School Works makes math matter

Watch the movie: STEM Tech-Explorer Catapult – Sierra School Works Applied Math entered in the STEMposium contest.

Middle and high school students are being introduced to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers by making catapults. In addition, Sierra School Works (www.sierraschoolworks.com) with Sierra College in Rocklin, CA won a National Science Foundation grant to develop and test the impact of integrating mathematics curriculum into the hands-on catapult building experience.

Students converted fractions and decimals from English and metric measurements on drawings. They used scales, protractors and compasses to measure and mark catapult parts. Once the catapults were built using mills, lathes and other power tools, the students measured the distance, height and speed of launches and inserted the results into the parabolic equation to determine the best launch angle. Learning by doing, they discovered why math matters.

Making math matter to students is critical to their success in pursing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers. They need a reason to keep taking math classes. Sierra School Works developed this Tech-Explorer catapult project to engage students and give them experiences applying math.

  • Accurately converting fractions results in parts that will fit together to make a catapult.
  • Applying the parabolic equation to select the best launch angle will allow their balls to fly the farthest.

It is harder than it looks to develop math lessons, insert them into hands-on projects and use the lessons to reinforce the math skills and interests of students of various ages and expertise. Oakmont High School students in Roseville, CA were the first to test the Sierra School Works math-enhanced Tech-Explorer catapult project developed with Sierra College and National Science Foundation support. It successfully modeled how to engage students in applying math. Learn more at (www.sierraschoolworks.com ).

Filming Sierra STEM Tech-Explorer story

Robert Ansell of Royce Video Production of Sacramento is working with Marketing Action in Loomis to record implementation of Sierra College National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for the Tech-Explorer project.

With the goal of preparing and encouraging students to consider Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and careers, Sierra College is building on the success of the Tech-Explorer catapult production project. Math lessons are being integrated into the hands-on building project to test the effectiveness of applied academics – using math while making the parts and building the catapult — in increasing math skills and retention.

This is just one of many Sierra STEM projects to prepare our future workforce in the Sacramento region for highly paid, in-demand technical local jobs.

Sierra College Employer & Energy Programs win Awards

Congratulations to Sierra College for the acknowledgement at the Placer County Economic Development Summit held March 17, 2010 for leadership in economic development. Both the Sierra College Energy Technology Program and Sandra Scott, director of grant development and career technical education for Sierra College, received awards.

Marketing Action, Inc. is honored to work with both the Energy Technology Program and Sandra Scott who oversees Sierra College Training and Development for employers, the Sierra STEM grant promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and the Sierra College Center for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT).

Learn more about the awards: Sierra College Receives Awards at sierracollegetraining.com