EPIC Engineering
EPIC Entrepreneurship
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In EPIC math, students learn through problem solving, discovery and inquiry based lessons. Recently Geometry featured a self-discovery lessonwhere students worked together to determine the Centroid Theorem. Students cut out many different sized and shaped triangles and had to balance the triangle on the tip of their pencil! Through trial and error and critical thinking students discovered a single point that acts as the balancing point for ANY triangle. Furthermore, students determined the reasoning behind why this point is the balancing point. Once students concluded that they were constructing three medians to determine the centroid then students were able to discover the relationship of these segments to solve problems!
In EPIC Algebra II, students used an online graphing tool (desmos.com) to create a logo. Our engineering students used the logo for prototypes they built for the "What are you doing about water?" project. Our entrepreneurship students used the logo as a rough draft for a business that they later created using Adobe Illustrator software. Having a firm conceptual understanding of polynomial functions, students were able to manipulate their equations in the coordinate plane to create the shapes for their logo. Students were also challenged to write a complete description of the polynomial functions used. This included: the standard form, the factored form, identifying the zeros, multiplicities, and end behavior of each equation.
Mill Creek High School and the EPIC program were represented at the Georgia STEM Forum 2017 in Athens, GA this week. Carly Cantrell (Geometry) and Kelly Dyar (Engineering) presented "Project-based STEM: The Soda Maker Project" Tuesday morning. Ms. Cantrell and Ms. Dyar had the opportunity to teach a session to other educators from the state about lessons that have been learned through cross-curricular planning and project based learning. Ms. Cantrell and Mrs. Dyar were able to attend the Forum with funds provided by the Bosch Grant. Our Mill Creek teachers attended a variety of sessions including: zombie survival using calculators, using log books for STEM Projects, student created mobile apps, and bringing diversity into STEM. They are both excited to bring back their learning to Mill Creek so if you see them, make sure to ask about the STEM Forum!
BOSCH is passionate about STEM education, and the company has decided to partner with Gwinnett County Public Schools to support STEM initiatives. A Mill Creek High School representative was invited to join an informational session about BOSCH and their educational program for supporting STEM. At this same meeting, our Mill Creek representative Carly Cantrell explained the EPIC program and our goal of becoming the STEM certified program at Mill Creek High School. Due to the common initiatives and goals, Mill Creek EPIC was invited to complete the BOSCH grant application. The application consisted of a summary of the EPIC program and how the funds would be allocated. Mill Creek requested that the majority of the funds be used towards hands-on STEM supplies for the classroom. For example, in Geometry, kite kits were requested. Students will have to learn kite and quadrilateral properties through the building of a kite using the engineering design process. The hands-on STEM kits will cover all three sciences included in the program as well as math and engineering. The EPIC program was awarded the grant and given $11,000. Through this generous grant our program will continue to grow and soar to EPIC heights. We are excited to show BOSCH and our Mill Creek community how we are putting these funds to use
EPIC Students in Algebra II were challenged to measure the feasibility of filling water bottles up in water fountains. Using quadratic functions, students had to determine which variables had an impact on filling success. Students recorded their findings, created posters, and made a poster gallery. Students walked through the poster gallery giving and receiving valuable feedback on sticky notes.
Hello EPIC parents and students!
It was great to talk with those of you who made it to Open House yesterday. For those who could not make it, schedules can be picked up at Mill Creek High School in the media center before 1st period on Monday. We know the schedules for EPIC students can look confusing. For clarification, 9th grade EPIC Entrepreneurs will have 4A homeroom and 4B lunch. 10th grade EPIC Entrepreneurs will have 4A lunch and 4B homeroom. 9th grade EPIC Engineers with have 6A lunch and 6B homeroom. 10th grade EPIC Engineers will have 6A Homeroom and 6B lunch. 9th graders will have homeroom on Thursdays and Fridays and 10th graders will have homeroom on Mondays and Tuesdays. Their language arts class, which is listed during their lunch period, will be taught in a cross-curricular approach with their science class at the time the science class is listed on the schedule. Our EPIC freshmen take Chemistry instead of Biology - so that is correct on their schedules! Our blog address is http://millcreekepic.weebly.com/epic-blog so please feel free to check that out regularly for updates. We would appreciate it if one parent for each student would fill out the form at this link: https://goo.gl/forms/EpVjO7dV4F0UFtKq2 - this will help us with the best contact information and any additional information you would like us to know about your student. Lastly, here is the link to the supply list again. The composition book for project design is just a standard composition book. We are sorry for any confusion. Please make sure to only look at the four EPIC classes your student will be taking as the supply list covers all of the 9th and 10th grade EPIC classes. We look forward to having a great year! #weareEPIC Sincerely, EPIC Teachers |