Notes From Erica - December 8

I helped out on Wednesday morning with the ALA gaggle group 1. Today they began constructing their chain reaction sculptures. Many had come up with ideas to put into their sculptures last week and now were able to test how their ideas worked. All of the students worked very,very hard today. One group especially impressed me today. None of the members were here last week, so this was their first day to think and build their sculpture. The group worked well together and were just as far along as the other groups who had a bit more time to think about their sculpture. I learned how to use the jigsaw today! One of the girls taught me how to use it (safely) and I cut my first piece of wood with it. The teens have quite a bit of interest in using the power tools. It's nice to see an environment where the girls can use the tools just as much and just as well as the boys. In my observation of the last two weeks, I have noticed that this is an environment where there is no gender bias or discrimination (always a big thing for me, as I was one of the few women programmers in my high school and college courses). I can't wait to see their finished products.~erica