By Andra Bryan Stefanoni

news@joplinglobe.com

PITTSBURG, Kan. — After watching a clip from the movie “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” students in a technology class at Pittsburg High School faced what at first seemed to be an impossible task.

Their instructor, Larry Dunekack, gave them a plastic cylinder lying on its side and asked them to invent something that could reach into a marble-sized hole in the plastic container.

Their goal? To retrieve a marble that was representative of the “crystal skull” for which Jones was searching — without tripping an alarm.

The winner performed the task in less than 20 seconds.

It might have felt like a game, but the students weren’t playing. They were working toward developing modern technological literacy using one of the oldest forms of technology on the planet: a tool.

Technological literacy

A report by the national Committee on Technological Literacy puts forth that while most people think of technology in terms of computers, iPods and digital video recorders, it’s more than tangible products. The committee represents the National Research Council and the National Academy of Engineering.

The report argues that “technological literacy ” — an understanding of the nature and history of technology, the ability to use it, and an ability to think critically about technological development — is essential for those living in a modern nation.

It also states that an important area of knowledge for future graduates is the engineering design procedure: starting with a set of criteria and constraints, and working toward a solution.

Dunekack puts it more simply: “Technology extends human potential. Technological literacy is the ability to use, manage, assess and understand that technology.

“People assume that having computers is a tech-rich environment. But really to be tech-rich, you need to cross through every part of the work force and our personal lives.”

Enter the newly opened Center for Applied Learning at the high school.



Expectations exceeded

The idea for the center was born of trips by school personnel to school districts across Kansas to assess what works and what does not.

“We visited schools around the state and saw a lot of good things, but each shared things they wished they could do if they had the money and space,” Dunekack said. “What they were doing was just a part of the puzzle. So we looked at all of that and decided to integrate it all. Pooling funds allowed us to come up with what we wanted and needed.”

During a time when Kansas school districts were beginning to see budget shortfalls, the Pittsburg school board took a leap of faith and approved a $300,000 expenditure to create the Center for Applied Learning.

The leap of faith paid off: The center was ready to go when the current school year started, and more than 100 students quickly enrolled to fill all available slots in classes on foundations, investigations and applications of technology.

Dunekack described what these students have been engaged in as “a tremendous learning opportunity” without parallel in Southeast Kansas.

School board members say the expenditure has paid off.

“It certainly exceeded my expectations,” said board member John Clark. “What sticks in the back of your mind before you see it is, ‘Gosh, we spent a few hundred thousand dollars.’ But then you do see it, see the student interest and engagement, and realize what a tremendous asset it is — particularly when paired with what Pitt State offers in technology — right here in our own backyard.”



State of the art

The center has several rooms, each with specific functions.

A state-of-the-art presentation room allows students to give PowerPoint presentations on topics such as technological inventions or the history of technology using an interactive Smart Board.

The computer applications lab has movable computer monitors that sink into the desks to allow for more table space when necessary.

The technology resource center includes everything from a computer-controlled hydroponics system that allows students to grow herbs and control variables, to an enormous collection of Tetrix (developed by Pittsburg-based Pitsco Education Co.) and Lego Mindstorm components, to soldering and pneumatic stations, gear systems, and remote control vehicles.

Nearby are biotech labs, a lab for digital video and digital and still photography, a solar activity area, and an area for graphics layout and design.

Students can handle plastics, metal and wood using engineering and construction principles in this the fabrication center, which includes computer-controlled mills and lathes and a computer-controlled laser.

Clark, the school board member, said the new center allows for a good partnership with Pittsburg State University because it prepares local graduates to enter the PSU College of Technology.

In addition, two student teachers from PSU are gaining hands-on experience in teaching technological literacy at the center.

Said Dunekack: “It has been really good for everyone involved. We’ve had an excellent response. Classes are all full. And I’m not working; I’m having a blast.”