Overview

IMPACTT emphasizes process over content. The processes that are emphasized are finding answers through the scientific process, library research, on the Internet and from other people. IMPACTT lessons are selected or designed so that students develop or refine invaluable skills while they are introduced to content. Every effort is made to integrate the content areas of science, english, social studies, technology, and math in such a way that students understand the interconnectedness of these discuplines and gain insight into the way the real world works. For a deeper understanding about how these goals are accomplished please click on the links below. MENU

  Curriculum Philosophy

The IMPACTT philosophy can be summarized by six phrases: process oriented, student oriented, mastery, integration, application, and science. Curious what that means and how it all fits together? Then read on.

Process Oriented

IMPACTT emphasizes process over content. Although content is certainly addressed and state and national standards are met, it is not done at the expense of providing the students with skills that will help them for the rest of their life. Students aren't going to remember the distance between the sun and the earth 5 years from now (or even a day after they "learned it"), and why should they? But they do need to know how to find an answer and effectively communicate that answer.

Student Oriented

The IMPACTT teaching approach is student oriented. Each student is viewed as an individual with different skills, backgrounds, and needs. The curriculum and program are designed to address individual student needs in three different ways. First, by having in-depth projects, students are typically at different stages of the project. Thus, some students are working well without help, while others need more attention. Having longer, more involved projects distributes the "student need load" and allows the teacher to work closely with individuals or small groups of students. Second, a variety of lessons and teaching methods are used. A combination of inquiry, cooperative learning, experiential learning, and individual work honors multiple learning styles. Third, when implemented as a full academy, IMPACTT students remain together all day. This allows teachers to work with the students for multiple periods on an as needed basis. For example, if the students are struggling with the math in one of the projects, the math teacher can stay and work with them until understanding is achieved. MENU

Mastery

Students attain mastery level work in two ways. First, students are graded on the four point scale below.

Integration

Educational circles debate about how to define true subject integration versus teaching multiple subjects through parallel thematic units. If integration is defined in its strictest sense it means that all of the academic subjects are implemented concurrently through the exact same lesson or project and the boundaries between academic "classes" get blurred. If defined in this way, IMPACTT does achieve "true integration" much of the time. This is accomplished through completely integrated lessons, Major Projects, and the academy structure where students remain together in IMPACTT throughout the school day. IMPACTT also diverges from the strict integration definition by implementing multiple subjects through parallel thematic units. Sometimes this is a result of the design of a lesson needed to give the students skills or information necessary to complete their Major Project or to meet a State Standard. Whether "true" integration or thematic structures are used, both approaches demonstrate to students how subjects relate and connect to each other. This adds a layer of meaning for the students and partially addresses a question often asked by students, "why do I need to know this?" The other important piece to addressing that question is allowing the students use their newly learned skills and knowledge in a real-world scenario. Although this is not always possible, integration is an excellent tool to accomplish real-world application. MENU

Application

IMPACTT tries to provide as many real-world applications as time, budgets, resources, and imaginations allow. Real-world application is primarily accomplished through the Major Projects, although it is also achieved through complementary field trips and connections with people working in a particular field. Some examples of Major Projects that have real-world application include the "Teen Tobacco & Health Conference," the "Real-time Air Quality Exercise," and the "Cancer Video Documentary." MENU

Science

IMPACTT is a fully integrated program that emphasizes science, math, and technology through the context of traditional academic subjects and broad umbrella themes. IMPACTT strives to break the compartmentalized, often sterile and uninteresting paradigm of "worksheet-based, fill-in-the-blank" science teaching. IMPACTT is a fully integrated program that promotes the vigorous development of critical thinking and science literacy.