Description of program:

7th grade students investigate ways to improve the quality of life in our environment. Students are provided opportunities to explore technology systems and how it affects their everyday life. In addition, both grade levels engage in various "hands on-minds on" computer assisted activities at PC modules.

8th grade students explore how technology can impact the earth and universe. They study: space exploration, existing and alternative energy sources, communications, structural systems, transportation, and Chesapeake Bay watershed conservation. Students also study web page design and have begun to publish student projects on the internet.

The Technology Department at Forest Oak Middle School is equipped with a state of the art Synergistcs lab. The lab consists of 16 module workstations in which the students rotate through. They work cooperatively with one other student engaging in various "hands on / minds on" activities. Modules we currently have set up at Forest Oak include the following:

In addition to the PC module Lab, we are also equipped with an applied processing Lab, research and experimentation Lab, audio broadcasting room, and photography darkroom.

What makes are program so unique is that we have been committed to making connections with the academic teams at our school. This interdisciplinary approach has really paid off for the Tech. Ed. department as they now make a real effort to include us in their planning. In fact, the school has come up with a "curriculum map" that shows exactly what each grade level team is studying at any given time throughout the school year. This makes it easier to connect with any of the other classes.