Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Friday, November 11, 2011

Gallery (click any photo to view the gallery)

In addition to student projects, the STLP Fall Showcase offered race cars, robotics and other hands-on stations.

Teens in the Student Technology Leadership Program at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School are no doubt planning for their own future. But they’re also bringing along younger members by serving as role models and sharing technical skills.

“We are reaching out to our middle schools and helping them get involved in technology and get excited about high school,” said sophomore Brittany Wolterman.

“We’re identifying with these kids as mentors as they transition,” added her sister Amy, a senior.

“Techiepalooza,” Dunbar’s project at the STLP Fall Showcase, promotes a fun approach to learning with three informal classes for grades 6-8: Graphic Design using Adobe Illustrator, Game Design for Beginners and Introduction to Java Programming. The one-hour sessions, which Dunbar students will lead, are tentatively set for a Saturday in January.

“Our world is advancing in what we do and how we do things. Giving them this background can really help them excel,” senior Ashley Natour said at the Nov. 10 showcase, held in the University of Kentucky’s Student Center.

Before and after their own projects were judged, students from various schools wandered among the rows of exhibits, and several left written comments at the “Techiepalooza” table.

“We really want feedback so we can give them what they want,” said Dunbar junior Will Oldham, who noted that other sessions could be developed depending on demand.

“Techiepalooza” was submitted in the Community Service category. Other projects fell under Technical Expertise or Instructional. Among some 20 entries from Fayette County Public Schools were IT Promotion, presented by Bryan Station High School; “Mannerly Moments” on JME-TV, created by Julius Marks Elementary; and Warrior Techsters, prepared by Winburn Middle.

Students in grades K-12 from nearly a dozen counties participated in the showcase, which is a warm-up for the spring competition. Groups of three judges moved among the display tables to talk with the teams – evaluating their props and visuals, collaboration efforts, research skills, creativity and each project’s impact, among other elements.

During their down time, the kids checked out robotics, model airplane and race-car exhibitions across the grand ballroom.

A team could score a possible 118 under the showcase rubric. Those with at least a 100 will be invited to compete March 22 in the STLP State Championship at Rupp Arena. Every FCPS school participating in the showcase will take at least one project to state. 

• Showcase results
• Additional photos

Resources

• http://www.stlp.fcps.net/
• Julie Gaskin, district STLP coordinator