Yuma, AZ – Crane Middle School has been recognized as a 2022-2025 Apple Distinguished School for their innovation and unique implementation of Apple technology in the classroom. Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. They use Apple technology to inspire creativity, collaboration and critical thinking in learning, teaching and the school environment, and have documented results of academic accomplishment.
Crane Middle School, which serves approximately 600 seventh and eighth grade students, has a school vision which encompasses three pillars of learning: Innovate, Create Voice & Choice, and Elevate 21st Century Skills. As part of their INNOVATE pillar, students have been challenged to reason and solve problems in unconventional ways through project-based learning. Some examples of how students are innovating with the use of technology in the classroom include:
- Building and coding robots in Agriculture Class to analyze hydroponic water quality;
- Printing 3 Dimensional prototypes to enhance and repair BattleBots in Engineering Class;
- Designing features for the remote control (RC) car track using Apple’s Reality Composer and the AR Makr app;
- Creating marching band formations utilizing Keynote, iMovie, and GarageBand.
Teachers are encouraged to develop personal technology goals aligned to the school’s vision by participating in regular “Technology Tune-Ups”, which helps amplify voice and choice in the classroom. This also complements the learning opportunities where students can elevate their 21st Century Skills by allowing them to explore careers in various industries, prepare digital resumes, and engage in interviews with local business leaders and community members.
Crane Middle School Principal Ryan Tyree stated, “This is an honor that our entire staff accomplished. We believe the best way we can support the future is by growing a community of students who will be innovative and creative leaders who will elevate Yuma and put us on the map.”
Crane Middle School and Pueblo Elementary School join Mesquite Elementary School, Salida del Sol Elementary, Centennial Middle School, H.L. Suverkrup Elementary, and Gowan Science Academy as Apple Distinguished Schools within the Crane Elementary School District. Each of the recognized sites continue their use of Apple technology to connect students to the world, fuel creativity, deepen collaboration, and make learning relevant.
Explore the different technology Crane Middle is using! https://padlet.com/acooke4/gicrvak7h0ypovtt
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