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Intel brings its Tech Learning Lab to Design 39 students

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Fourth- through eighth-grade students at Design 39 Campus had a unique opportunity to work with some of the latest Intel technology during a two-day program that came to their school in Del Sur.

Intel’s Tech Learning Lab is in the midst of its cross-country tour. It is providing free immersive educational experiences and interactive demonstrations. The Nov. 29 and 30 event at the campus had students writing code so they could fly drones; using virtual reality technology so they could conduct chemistry experiments, dissect a frog and take a “field trip” to a Smithsonian art gallery; and working with facial recognition software to develop their design thinking skills.

“The Intel Tech Learning Lab was designed to demonstrate how innovation is driving technology-based instruction methods to shape the future of learning and help develop soft skills students need for the jobs of tomorrow,” said spokeswoman Torri Santander. “The Tech Learning Lab is touring its way across the country to excite students and show educators that it’s not about having the most expensive technology in the classroom, but about effectively applying technology across all areas of the curriculum.”

“It’s really scary cool,” seventh grader Gracie Willard said about flying a drone. “It scared me when it automatically started without warning, but it was cool to watch it move around ... when putting in the commands.”

“It’s kinda scary that I’m controlling something that potentially could hurt someone,” said seventh grader Lauryn Marshall. She added it was “cool to learn about (drones and code).”

Their teacher, Kaitlyn DiGiovanna, said what her students were experiencing was “amazing. It’s just incredible that the kids have access to (this technology). They’re very fortunate and I’m grateful.”

Intel representative Eric Rodriguez said the drones are just a tool used to teach the students how to solve problems and stretch their creativity.

“They are testing the capability of the machine,” Rodriguez said, adding there are a hundred different ways to make the drone fly through a loop and each student approaches the challenge differently.

“It gives them the opportunity to work as teams in creative ways, testing the boundaries of the technology,” he said.

“Intel is committed to education and working with schools and museums across the U.S. to empower educators and integrate technology in the classroom to prepare students of today for the workforce of tomorrow,” Santander said. “These are the skills kids are going to need.”

Eighth grader Prisha Maiti said touring a museum with virtual reality technology was “pretty fun” and something she had never experienced before.

Teacher Glenn Jacobson said the virtual reality display on outer space will tie into upcoming class lessons on spacial relationships. He also enjoyed the reactions some of his students had during the VR program that let them virtually dissect a frog. “When they can’t go there, it is a great opportunity to go on a virtual field trip,” he added.

Raysana Hurtado, Intel’s education segment manager, said she enjoyed seeing how the students and teachers would “light up” when using the technology.

“Intel has been invested in education for many years,” Hurtado said. “(We want to know) how can we build the platform to more holistically change student learning and prepare them for jobs of the future.”

She said the tour started in New York and is meant to show educators through hands-on experiences what they can do with the technology they already have or consider adding to their curriculum. Hurtado added that not all schools can afford a chemistry lab, for example, but through virtual reality technology students can still learn how to do chemistry experiments.

“When they (virtually) go to the Smithsonian when not near a museum, that kind of thing breaks down barriers,” Hurtado added.

“It’s important to know this is not just about putting a device in front of students, but showing what it can do for students ... to enable an incredible learning experience,” Hurtado said.

According to Hurtado, Design 39 Campus was chosen for the tour due to Intel’s long association with first grade teacher Megan Powers, who served on an Intel advisory board for two years.

“We wanted to give our students the experience of working more in-depth with virtual reality, drones and artificial intelligence,” Powers said of why Design 39 Campus officials chose to participate in the tour. She said the virtual reality experts, for example, showed teachers how they can take their lessons to the next level with the technology.

While some may think of virtual reality as a “solo experience,” Powers said the tour demonstration showed it is the opposite since students worked as teams. The Intel trainers were also showing teachers how to incorporate distance support learning opportunities into their lessons.

Email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com

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