ASHEVILLE, N.C. /eNewsChannels/ — Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool (DBSS), the Bob Moog Foundation’s hallmark educational project, is expanding to serve two school districts in Western North Carolina. Twenty-five teachers from Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools will be teaching the 10-week curriculum to over 500 second grade students beginning in January. This marks the first time that the two school districts have collaborated on a teaching program.
Through Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, children learn the science of sound through the magic of music using electronic musical instruments, oscilloscopes, custom materials and acoustic instruments. DBSS teachers receive instruction on the curriculum for four months prior to beginning teaching.
Kay McLeod, the Science Instructional Coach for Buncombe County Schools, says, “There is something very special about our two groups of second grade teachers training and planning together for teaching the Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool lessons. Sharing the materials, training, and anticipation of how students will react to the quality of these science experiences and materials has been phenomenal. It is perfectly aligned with our combined vision for science, STEAM not just STEM. It is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in its finest form, yet adds the joy of the Arts, its creativity and sheer fun, to make it a totally riveting experience to share.”
McLeod continues, “We are so fortunate to have this historic opportunity, linking the innovation, character, and perseverance of our area’s famous Bob Moog, his foundation. and our school systems in this common goal. There is a growing vision of Sound School expanding across our area, state, and country and I hope that in some small way our two systems joining hands and working together can provide the beginning steps that help bring that vision to reality. The level of this training and experience is very unique and can be attributed directly to the Bob Moog Foundation, its quality, vision, and leadership.”
Donalyn Small, Science Instructional Coach for Asheville City Schools comments, “It is both an honor and a privilege for our school districts to have this opportunity to work together in an effort to provide our students with hands-on, investigatory learning experiences that lead to a conceptual understanding of the science of sound. The lessons are authentic, with real world relevancy that truly leave a lasting impact on our students. I would love to see Dr. Bob’s Sound School continue to grow so that students all over our country can learn the science of sound through this progressive curriculum!”
The final teacher training session takes place on December 3, 2012 at Jones Elementary School. Marc Doty, BMF Education Specialist, will lead the trainings, accompanied by other members of the BMF educational team. The students will begin DBSS in mid-January, 2013. The teacher training is open to members of the press.
More information: http://www.moogfoundation.org/ .
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