FAMILY TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY

FAMILY TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY is now located at The College of New Jersey. For more information about the program, please contact Mary Switzer at... The College of NJ NJSSI/School of Engineering/Dept. of Tech. Studies Armstrong 103 P. O. Box 7718 2000 Pennington Road Ewing, N.J. 08628-0718 (609) 771-2714 (609) 771-3330 (FAX) switzer@tcnj.edu

FAMILY TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY (FT&T) is an afterschool program integrating physical science, design technology, pre-engineering, mathematics and careers for girls, boys (grades 4-7) and their parents.

Children and adults come together for seven weeks to investigate, to explore, to problem solve and to learn and understand how the world works. FT&T presents situations in technology and engineering in which the learner asks questions and then becomes engaged in answering them. By linking concept and process, providing for individual creativity and teaching techniques for solving problems, the program helps girls and boys relish challenges, build confidence and delight in the power of their own problem-solving ability.

Curious girls, boys and parents ask questions, try out materials, design, build, test and revise. They may design and construct a kaleidoscope, a tower, a telegraph, a model car, a merry-go-round or a musical instrument using hand tools, simple machines and LEGOs. While having fun, participants gain an understanding of basic principles in how things work, acquire skills in using tools and equipment, learn to think critically and become more confident in themselves. The FT&T program focuses on technological challenges in pre-engineering, architecture and physical science.

Goals

• To increase the number of girls and boys who are literate in physical science and technology and to encourage their continuing interest;
• To stimulate parents to become advocates for their children’s problem-solving endeavors in science and technology;
• To train educators to promote girls' as well as boys' continued participation and confidence in science and technology.

FT&T Key Concepts:

Science & Technology Literacy Parental Involvement Workplace Readiness/Career Options Safety Gender & Multicultural Equity Critical Thinking Design Journal Writing Historical Background & Context Teacher as Facilitator Constructivist Learning Multiple Intelligences Problem Solving

Five-Day FT&T Training Workshops

Comprehensive workshops are offered twice a year to prepare educators to plan and conduct FT&T in their own schools. The workshop fee is $1,750 for a team of two and includes:

• hands-on training and practice in specially designed FT&T Challenges and Warm-Up activities;

• career, historical, cultural and equity games, resources and activities;

• information on how to recruit families, plan and conduct FT&T classes;

• a comprehensive FT&T Teachers Manual (in English or Spanish);

• a complete FT&T tool box (per team);

• a LEGO Dacta #9645 set  (per team);

• on-going technical assistance;

• membership in the FT&T Resource Center;

• breakfast and lunch each day.

FT&T training meets requirements for Title I, Title II, Title VII, School-to-Work Opportunities Act, NJSSI, Goals 2000, Perkins and Eisenhower funding.

Family Tools & Technology is a professional development activity endorsed by both the NJEA Professional Development Institute and the NJ Statewide Systemic Initiative.