The Lighthouse

Forget store-bought decorations! This holiday season, the 4th and 5th graders in our after-school makerspace club took creativity and STEM skills to craft dazzling ornaments, bringing their holiday spirit to life.

Instead of following cookie-cutter templates, these young engineers started with a pre-made design and unleashed their inner inventors. Using a vector editing program, they meticulously modified the blueprint, ensuring it would sing when brought to life by our Glowforge laser.

Baltic birch plywood and vibrant hardwoods like maple and oak became their holiday canvas. With laser precision, the machine meticulously carved out each intricate piece. Then, like artists wielding paintbrushes, the students transformed the blank slates into vibrant masterpieces. Delicate brushstrokes and a sprinkle of glue brought their visions to life, layer by layer.

The adventure didn't stop there! The Glowforge, now transformed into a magical engraver, etched each ornament with personalized messages and unique holiday motifs. These weren't just decorations but stories whispering tales of creativity and collaboration.

The spirit of giving also shone brightly. Some of these handcrafted ornaments found a special place in the PTO's holiday shop, their sales twinkling like fairy lights, helping to brighten the future of the maker space with exciting new materials.

Throughout this project, the students weren't just wielding tools; they were mastering the engineering design process. Iterations became their playground as they tested, tweaked, and perfected their designs until they found the perfect harmony of form and function.

This festive foray into STEM wasn't just about ornaments but about unleashing creativity, igniting problem-solving skills, and discovering the magic that happens when technology meets imagination. These ornaments, hanging proudly on trees, are more than just decorations; they are testaments to the ingenuity and wonder in every young mind.

Contributed by Mr. Michael Williams, M.Ed, CMIT Academy North Elementary

On December 12th, students participated in the University of Maryland Women’s basketball game. This college and career STEM event allowed students to experience a real-world event that paired common core math skills with guidance principles. Students could pair listening, speaking, and interpreting with statistics and ratios.

Contributed by Mrs. Benora McCain-Wigfall, M.Ed, CMIT Academy North Elementary

Chesapeake Science Point's Annual Science Fair was held on December 9th. With over 100 student participants, it was well attended by the school community. The students presented their exceptional projects to a panel of judges from the community. The students had a great time and look forward to competing at the Regional County Science Fair in the spring. Congratulations to the winners!

2023 has been a “Tiger-iffic” year of expansion for the Chesapeake Science Point TigerBots!

We’ve recently returned from the BunnyBots competition held at Montgomery Blair High School,

where 11 teams from across the DC-Maryland-Virginia area show off their STEM-packed spirit

in an exciting display of performance!

Throughout the year, the TigerBots made significant strides in impacting our community beyond

the classroom. In anticipation of a successful second year, we’ve participated in events like the

Naptown Music Feast at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds to be present within our

community and secure funding to launch an innovative summer program for new and interested

students to showcase the world of STEM through the TigerBots. During the summer program,

each sub team captain(s) from bases and attachments to business and media presented their

individual and contributing purpose and commitment to the team, with students participating in

introductory activities to gain an understanding of each sub teams’ and the team’s functions.

The TigerBots, working with South River’s team 1111 Power Hawks, co-hosted the South

County Showdown FIRST Lego League (FLL) Masterpiece Competition at CSP. The teams

hosted 9 FLL teams in the season’s first match in Chesapeake District. Congratulations Team

62324- The Pickles on your triumph!

We’ve created and initiated plans to roar into and operate from Chesapeake Lighthouse

Foundation (CLF) Hanover’s field space, generously donated to us by CLF. Student volunteers

from within TigerBots and mentors from teams across the Chesapeake District assembled a full

competition field provided by NASA and their home teams! This expansion not only provides us

with a home but also a much-needed resource for over 120 FIRST Chesapeake District teams.

CLF Hanover serves as a vital hub to test and train with each other’s robots, network and share

ideas in a local collaborative environment.

The future is bright for the TigerBots, and we’re thrilled to share our journey with you as we

continue to empower the next generation of STEM enthusiasts and leaders. Visit our website

(https://9072.team) or follow us on Instagram (@cspfrc9072) to be a part of the den!

Contributed by David Kravets, Lead Mentor 9072 TigerBots

Scholars engage in the Toothpick and Marshmallow Tower Challenge within the Maker's Lab. In this hands-on activity, scholars are provided with marshmallows and toothpicks and are challenged to construct the tallest tower achievable with these simple materials. The objective was to craft a sturdy structure capable of bearing the weight of marshmallows and toothpicks. This engaging experiment not only brings an element of enjoyment but also fosters essential skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. As scholars embark on this challenge, they often collaborate closely and employ critical thinking to devise a stable and innovative structure using the given materials.

Contributed by Tauheedah Lewis, Assistant Principal - CMIT South Elementary

TINYBOTS CLUB

Mr. Ak, our Chief Executive Officer, was enamored with the beautiful butterfly garden that triangulated some of the best STEAM practices and dispositions that CMIT North Middle School boasts! Mr. Ak was thrilled to recognize the students’ work in sculpture, artistic design, science, research, and literature.

CMIT Academy North High stands as a radiant beacon of educational excellence, offering students a transformative and well-rounded education that transcends the boundaries of conventional classrooms. The school's unwavering dedication to nurturing diverse interests and talents is vividly showcased through its extensive palette of after-school programs. Let's journey through the vibrant and diverse landscape of CMIT Academy's after-school offerings, which embrace STEAM disciplines, literature, faith, debate, leadership, sports, and the arts.

In Science and Technology, students embark on exhilarating innovation journeys through clubs like the Science Olympiad, Team Illusion Robotics, ORCA AI, Python, Cybersecurity, Health & Tech AI Innovators Club, BioMedical Engineering, and the Hack Club. Simultaneously, the Modeling, Dance, String Club, and the Music Ensemble provide enchanting platforms for artistic expression. Literature, Debate, and Leadership flourish in the nurturing environments of the Literacy Magazine, Bok Tok Laiv (Book Talk Live), Debate Team, Forensic Mock Trial, Muslim Students Association, and Bible Study Club, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and spiritual growth. Sports enthusiasts engage in spirited and friendly competitions through table tennis and chess clubs, honing physical and strategic skills. This commitment to holistic education extends seamlessly to community service and global awareness, exemplified by clubs like Photography, National Honors Society, Peer Leaders, Humanity First, Art Fundamental, Movie Market, and BOND—Bracelet with Meaning. We promote social science in the Behavioral Science Club, Home Economics, and Key Club. CMIT Academy's diverse clubs are a testament to its steadfast commitment to cultivating well-rounded individuals, equipping them for academic success and a lifelong journey of curiosity, creativity, and meaningful community engagement.

Adding to the vibrant tapestry of experiences, CMIT Academy held its homecoming on December 9, a cherished tradition fostering school spirit and unity. This spirited event allows students to unite, showcasing their support for the school and community while creating lasting memories. On Saturday Academy of December 16, the CMIT Book Talk Live Club orchestrated a lively Winter Market, offering students a platform to sell books and other items, fostering a heartwarming sense of community. In parallel, a crucial SAT review session unfolded in the media center, refining students' skills and elevating their scores for college admissions. Beyond academics, our commitment to excellence shines in extracurricular achievements, including a top-10 position in the VEX robotics invitational competition. Wrapping up December on the 19th, the String Club's Winter Concert added a harmonious note to our diverse offerings.

Contributed by Dr. Gemma Clarke, STEAM Program Manager - CMIT North High

Mr. Ashish Vadalia, STEM Program Manager presented to CLF Leaders and Principals on practical ways AI would be useful in their schools.

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