ENGINEERING ROBOTICS CENTER (ERC)

Immersion-based learning provides students the opportunity to improve their abilities and understanding the ISTE and NGSS Standards. Developing mental strategies for understanding systems, problem solving, and being able to communicate and collaborate with others to accomplish project goals are expected class outcomes. All students in Grades 3 – 5 will participate in multi-curricular experiences in the PBL Center for 3 half days of school each semester. Students will wear their regular school uniform to the ERC. Middle school students grades 6-8 will have their ERC classes scheduled for one semester as part of their regular school day schedule.

Project-based learning (PBL) involves students designing, developing, and constructing hands-on solutions to a problem. The educational value of PBL is that it aims to build students’ creative capacity to work through difficult or ill-structured problems, commonly in small teams. Typically, PBL takes students through the following phases or steps:

1. 1. Identifying a problem
   2. Agreeing on or devising a solution and potential solution path to the problem (i.e., how to achieve the solution)
   3. Designing and developing a prototype of the solution
   4. Refining the solution based on feedback from experts, instructors, and/or peers

English as a Second Language: ESL

The English as a Second Language Program at CIC serves our students who are in the process of acquiring the English language. Learning a new language is a wonderful experience that will mark your life forever. Be prepared for a new culture, too, which may be completely different from your own. Pronunciation, intonation, and assimilation are some of the many aspects to consider. Above all, be open to learning and growing. Remember: The only constant in life is change. Be ready for change, open to learning, eager to practice, and willing to connect with new people in your life. Embrace learning!