Monarch’s Kristin Donley and her High-Tech Classroom
Words Sheila Lucas
Monarch High students are making history through their immersion in an innovative STEM (Science/ Technology/Engineering/Math) Pilot Project within Monarch High’s Biology Department.
Leadership on the ongoing biology research project, which uses 3D video simulations to bring biology to life, is provided by Monarch’s Kristin Donley, AP Biology Teacher and Adjunct Professor at CU Denver. Donley was honored by the State of Colorado Department of Education as the recipient of the 2012 Colorado Teacher of the Year Award (as well as 2011 Technology Teacher of the Year).
Her students have increased their test scores and understanding of challenging AP Biology concepts during the last three years of the project. Donley enjoys being able to take the unique Designmate 3D video simulations into many classrooms throughout Boulder Valley Schools to enhance student learning and outcomes.
“I really like the way that the Stereoscopic 3D software makes learning more interesting and visual,” says Monarch AP Biology student Kevin Holt. “It also enhances clarity on abstract ideas and brings learning to life.”
According to industry leaders from Change the Equation, the CEO- led initiative to improve STEM studies, “STEM is the future. STEM learning is an economic imperative. Experts concur that technological innovation accounted for almost half of U.S. economic growth over the past 50 years, and most of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require at least some background in STEM.”
Over her thirteen years at Monarch (and a total of seventeen years in the Boulder Valley District), Donley has consistently delivered outstanding leadership, inspiring students to succeed in vital science and computer technology achievements. She brings her special talents to the afterschool Technology Student Association, whose members took two top prizes at this year’s state competition in creative and innovative submittals.
Students at Monarch also benefit from dual credit programs that Donley has directed for years to facilitate the students’ access to earning credits in courses at CU Boulder, while still in high school.
This STEM Pilot Project in 3D technology has helped Donley’s students improve their essay test scores and motivation, as well as become more engaged in developing critical thinking skills so vital to their success in today’s Global Knowledge Economy.
According to Donley, “The Designmate.com 3D software has pro- vided equity for all learners and has proven that it has even helped students with learning challenges to visualize and better understand abstract curriculum that they previously had trouble with. My students have acknowledged that they are able to remember the video images, which helps them retain knowledge longer and improve their test scores and overall grade.”
The students and Donley are excited to acknowledge the support of the sponsors who have provided the first phase of funding to enable the project to continue into the 2013-2014 year:
Ed Dobbs and Fallon Price of Flatirons Landrover are committed to providing support for Monarch to continue to grow a strong STEM program that prepares students for the intense math, science and engineering demands of the future workplace.
Boulder Valley Credit Union has supported lifelong learning events and programs within the Boulder Valley School District since 1959. The credit union is proud to sponsor and support the STEM Pilot initiative that can expand classroom learning and enhance knowledge retention.
Isidro Gonzalez of Old Santa Fe Mexican Grille is a long-time supporter of the athletic teams at Monarch who generously supports this project as well.
Designmate.com has graciously provided the licenses to the software for the past three years at no cost to the school and enjoys major success in educational institutions throughout Asia, Brazil and the Middle East.
Dave and Sheila Lucas of NxGenLearning.net provide the technical support and fund-raising liaison efforts and offer their expertise as leading consultants/trainers to schools seeking to implement effective Stereo 3D Classroom solutions.
For those in the community who wish to learn more about upcoming op- portunities to attend hands-on experiences of this 3D Classroom of the Future, and to learn more about how our students are closing the “global achievement gap,” please contact Sheila Lucas at 303.989.1767 (Sheila@ NxGenLearning.net) for upcoming dates and locations.
