Mary Brickles

Students participating in the "Multimedia Mania" program at Hafen Elementary School are learning to use a variety of technology and tools ranging from a laptop computer and digital camera to more obscure media like movie-making software, high-resolution handheld microscopes and molding clay to create animated clay figures or claymations. Through this program, second through fifth graders will become independent researchers, which will make learning meaningful to them as they master and explain essential standards to their peers. Brickles' program enhances student learning through hands-on, student-centered, and integrated multimedia projects that are aligned with national, state and district standards. The program instruction is differentiated in that the student teams take ownership of their learning while the teacher serves as the facilitator. Brickles hopes that this unique approach will increase students' motivation and will positively influence parents' and the community's view of education. Brickles resides in Pahrump.