Banneker 3DE Magnet students have frequent opportunities to demonstrate their learning via performance assessments and to present their learning to stakeholders inside and outside the classroom. Performance assessments are designed to support students in becoming productive citizens by engaging them in problem-solving in realistic contexts. 3DE case challenges, design challenges and project-based learning are used as authentic assessment strategies for 3DE STEM students. These performance assessments focus on assessing higher levels of cognition and students’ ability to analyze and evaluate information in a real-world context. Students interact with business representatives and solve real-world problems, collaborate with their peers, develop a solution and present their solution to their class, teachers and company executives. Students also demonstrate their learning through technical and scientific lab practices. Students identify themes and structures within their labs to use as supporting evidence for their inquiry-based questions. Additionally, students compete in academic competitions including the science fair, technology student association (TSA) events, design challenges and business and entrepreneurial (career tech student organizations (CTSO) competitive events (TSA, DECA, and FBLA), competitions every year). These opportunities allow students to demonstrate how they can use their technological skills and content mastery to pitch and solve real-world issues for their school and community. The strengths of this indicator are highlighted with artifacts from case study challenges, science fair competition, science lab dissection, AP computer science college board exam performance tasks and design challenges sponsored by Verizon Wireless and Arizona State University. In its effort to help close the digital divide, Verizon Wireless created a transformative program in 2012 called Verizon Innovative Learning. We applied for and received a $20,000Verizon Innovative Learning STEM grant in October of 2017. The initiative was designed to inspire innovation and entrepreneurship by educating students in design-thinking methods using interdisciplinary and hands-on projects. Our students leveraged those methods to build mobile apps and created AR/VR content through authentic collaboration with local small businesses solving real-world business challenges. Banneker High School 3DE teams won 1st place for both the 2018 and 2019 Atlanta regional design challenge. In fact, two 3DE teams won 1st and 2nd place in the 2019 regional competition. Performance assessments is one of the cornerstones of the 3DE magnet model. We will continue to develop our student’ competencies related to collaboration, communication, critical- thinking and problem-solving.
Mathematical Communication Ability and Curiosity Attitude Through Problem Based Learning and Cognitive Conflict Strategy Based On Academic Level: A Study in Number Theory