With today’s rapid technological advances, it can be challenging for schools to keep up. The North American Division, in collaboration with Southern Adventist University’s Online Campus Department, has developed a new project called “Our Creator’s Space” to integrate technology into small Seventh-day Adventist elementary school classrooms in the Division. The program’s primary goal is to provide science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) resources and lesson plans for multi-grade teachers in schools that don’t have dedicated technology.
“We’re hoping this project will have a positive impact on getting technology into the curriculum of small schools,” said Ryan Harrell, media and creative design specialist for Online Campus.
The program was founded on the premise that God wants people to create new things. It also supports the idea that science and technology do not have to be separate from religion. The name “Our Creator’s Space” is based on the concept that God is the ultimate Creator, and wants people to follow in His footsteps of creating.
Our Creator’s Space provides a dynamic and ever-growing program that can benefit students, teachers, and their schools. Students benefit from the exposure to STEAM fields, and are encouraged to use problem-solving skills that are applicable in their future careers. Teachers benefit by having access to new technologies, like virtual and augmented reality, co-presentation software, 3-D printing, and robotics, along with instruction on how to use them, learning about new tools and techniques alongside their students.
Consequently, Adventist elementary schools as a whole also benefit as the schools collaborate and foster a sense of community together, ultimately developing new materials and ideas that other teachers can then use.
“By providing this extra layer of support to small schools, we hope that they will be able to create something that gives the glory to our Creator,” Harrell said.
Teachers who would like to utilize these lesson plans can visit ourcreators.space.
Southern Adventist University | July 2017
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