Rochester Memorial, Old Hammondtown, and Sippican Schools Participate in Student Solve Applied Learning ‘Ideathon’

Students from Rochester Memorial School took part in the Student Solve applied learning “ideathon” event as part of the OpenSciEd curriculum offered through the One8 Foundation. (Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

MATTAPOISETT — Joining thousands of others at more than 100 schools around the world, teams of students at Rochester Memorial School, Sippican School and Old Hammondtown School embarked on a four-hour virtual “ideathon” focused on solving the problem of a devastating disease impacting citrus plants.

“This hands-on experience allowed students to apply their scientific thinking to a real-life issue and provided valuable insight into the types of challenges farmers and industry professionals face every day,” said Rochester Memorial School Principal Heidi Letendre. “It was an inspiring and empowering opportunity for our young scientists.”

Groups made up of fifth and sixth graders from Rochester Memorial School, Old Hammondtown School and Sippican School were invited to take part in the Student Solve challenge as a result of the schools’ use of the OpenSciEd curriculum offered by the One8 Foundation through its Applied Learning Hub.

At the outset of the Student Solve challenge held in mid-December, students were presented with a problem that a company is facing and then met virtually with an expert mentor before brainstorming, conducting research, submitting their ideas and receiving feedback.

The expert mentors who interacted with the Old Hammondtown, Rochester Memorial and Sippican students came from Flagship Pioneering, a company that builds science-driven solutions to global challenges, along with Invaio Sciences, a company that focuses on creating more sustainable agriculture around the world.

With their guidance and feedback, the students dug into the question of why some citrus trees are resistant to a devastating disease called Huanglongbing — also known as citrus greening — while others citrus trees sustain significant damage.

“Throughout the experience, students alternated between working in teams and meeting with mentors on Zoom. They brainstormed possibilities, conducted research, asked clarifying questions, refined their thinking, and ultimately submitted one solution idea per team,” said Old Hammondtown School Principal Stephanie Wells. “We are so proud of our students for embracing the challenge with curiosity, kindness and collaboration.”

“Participating in the Student Solve challenge gave our students an authentic opportunity to use their critical thinking skills to engage deeply with science, while working collaboratively, to address a real-world problem,” said Sippican School Principal Lynn Dessert. “Experiences like this not only strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills, but they also help students see how their learning can make a meaningful impact in the world.”

Principal Letendre credited sixth-grade teacher Tracey Forns for her leadership of the students through the Applied Learning programming. Principal Wells thanked sixth-grade science teacher Sara Jacobsen for organizing this learning opportunity and science specialist Ben Squire for helping to facilitate the experience throughout the day, along with sixth-grade teachers Kyle Letendre and Julie Letourneau. Principal Dessert thanked Sippican sixth grade teachers who worked on the project, including Erin Furfey, Bill Roseman, Nicole Boussy and Zenobia Nelles.

According to the One8 Foundation, around 4,000 students, 105 schools and 227 educators participated in the Student Solve challenge. Additionally, more than 49,000 students in Massachusetts are engaged in the OpenSciEd curriculum, drawing from 127 schools and 62 school districts. 

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Shari Fedorowicz commended the teachers at Rochester Memorial School, Sippican School and Old Hammondtown School for facilitating such an engaging program, provoking critical thinking among all the fifth and sixth-grade students who participated. They also thanked the industry mentors who offered their expert feedback as part of the Student Solve event.

“It’s inspiring to see our students apply the skills they’ve learned in their Applied Learning classrooms and then receiving feedback from relevant industry experts,” Assistant Superintendent Fedorowicz said. “This idea-generating experience is something our students will remember as they move forward with their science education and beyond.”

“Kudos to our teachers who delivered this experience to our OpenSciEd students, and many thanks to the industry experts who volunteered as mentors,” said Superintendent Nelson. “We are proud to offer our students engaging, real-world experiences that challenge them to think creatively and tap into all the skills and knowledge they have learned in the classroom.”

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Students at Rochester Memorial School engage with an expert mentor as part of the Student Solve challenge held in mid-December. (Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

Students at Rochester Memorial School participated in a virtual conference at the outset of the Student Solve challenge. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

Students from Old Hammondtown School brainstorm during the four-hour Student Solve challenge focused on why some citrus trees are resistant to a disease called Huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening, while others citrus trees sustain significant damage. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)