Mr. T's Blog @ SKS

January 19, 2016

Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,

Many veteran families have heard me preach about the "4 C's" for education that students need to be successful today : Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration and Creativity. These "4 C's" are essential skills for student success in the classroom and beyond. Twenty-five years ago, if you were good at memorizing facts of rote material you could succeed in school and beyond. In today's world you still need rote facts (time tables, spelling words, etc). However, the world has changed and more skills are needed by students to ensure their success. All educators need to make these "4 C's" a part of their teaching process.

Last week, grades 6 through 8 attended a technology demonstration by the Uncommon Individual Foundation arranged by Christina Elisio, our technology teacher, and our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade teachers. They were introduced to a 3-D printer and the presentation was very good, showing the students why and how a 3-D printer is being used to benefit many industries, including the medical field. Did you know when the first 3-D printer was invented ? Can you believe 1986?

Over the next few weeks the students will be working in teams (think 4 C's here) designing a 3-D religious cross. The winning design team in each of six homerooms will be chosen and those crosses will be manufactured by.... you guessed it, 3-D printers. I am excited about the possibilities of using this 3-D printer as a STEM tool. The 4 C's of Critical Thinking, Communication , Collaboration and Creativity were being used by students in the parish center as the groups started to discuss what they would design.
The UIF is a unique group of people. Think of them as a group of veteran mentors working with younger, inventive, protege types trying to create new ideas, businesses, and products. We are hoping in the future to have some students join an after school club that will involve working with the UIF, quite possibly at their "Think Tank" offices about 10 minutes down the road in Devon. The Uncommon Individual Foundation was created by SKS parishioner Dr. Richard Caruso, whose goal in creating the foundation was to provide mentoring to young adults who are interested in invention and entrepreneurship. As it states on their website homepage: "The Uncommon Individual Foundation seeks to unlock the potential of every individual through the applied art, science and power of mentoring." I am excited about a possible partnership with UIF to provide a learning forum for our students. If you want to know more about UIF go to www.uif.org. The video on the website explains their mission more clearly.
Yesterday, we had over a hundred students from kindergarten to seniors in high school at school for SKS's Martin Luther King Day of Service. I was touched to see many former alumni come back to their roots and work with our younger students. They were joined by parents and teachers who all helped to perform corporal works of mercy. Sandwiches and "Care" bags were made for those who need help. Our leaders, Steph Twohig and Jackie Sevag, (aided by sons Andrew and Nicholas) did a great job of organizing the morning. We are grateful to all who brought items in. There is no greater lesson we can teach our youth today than our call to to help those in need.

Take care and stay warm,

Bud

Uncommon Individual Foundation with 6th, 7th and 8th Grade

3-D Printers

Joe Narke, a 22 yr old entrepreneur from UIF, explains the inner workings of the 3-D printer to our 6th grade.

In the foreground, business owner Mr John Springrose, a former parishioner whose children attended SKS, explains how a 3-D printer is used in his furniture business to make prototypes , thus saving his company huge expense costs.