iInnovate Tech Ambassadors

The iInnovate Tech Ambassador Program at Wilson Focus School, an Apple Distinguished School in Omaha, Nebraska, is a cutting-edge initiative that highlights the school’s core values: Leadership, Technology, and Communication. This program is designed for sixth-grader scholars who apply by creating a two-minute video on iMovie, showcasing their skills and passion for technology.

This application was distributed digitally to all students across the grade level. Those interested in applying completed the application and submitted a video for consideration.

Before applying, scholars participated in an immersive technology experience, where they learned how to use various Apple tools to enhance their creativity and technical abilities. The experience included:

• Clips: explored adding stickers and text boxes to images and videos.
• Photos: learned how to crop photos, adjust the tone of an image, create stickers from the image, and use their Logitech Crayon to mark up the photo.
• iMovie: gained skills in importing pictures, adding transitions, and incorporating voiceovers for sound effects.
• Keynote: practiced removing backgrounds from images, adding shapes, grouping items, and using Magic Move to animate their projects.

After the immersive experience, scholars submitted their applications. Six scholars were selected as “iInnovate Tech Ambassadors”, based on their leadership qualities, enthusiasm for innovation and technology, and commitment to positively impacting their school community. As Tech Ambassadors, these scholars have participated in exciting tech projects and had the chance to collaborate with peers and experts at the Apple Store at Village Pointe in Omaha.

A key element of the program was the students' participation in a Professional Development (PD) Day, where they worked alongside district Technology Trainers to plan and present information and skills to educators. For the PD Day, students created step-by-step instructions to help teachers familiarize themselves with the tools available in Keynote. Using these tools, the students then assisted teachers in applying district-created curricular resources that enhance problem-solving, critical thinking, and inquiry-based learning.

Example of the step-by-step instructions for teachers to help familiarize themselves with the tools available in Keynote that were created by the students.

Shout Outs!

• Monica Arango and Melissa Chriswisser from Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches, Florida, for inspiring the program.
• Felecity Treptow (@felecity) for the Productivity Playground template.
• Nikki Kurland (@nikkikurland) for leading the program alongside me.
• Jess Murray (@jessica206), Brittany Baker, and Ann Feldmann for their ongoing support.

This program is a testament to how technology can empower scholars to take on leadership roles, foster innovation, and make meaningful contributions to their school community.

#OPSProud #FocusProud

Attachments

Applicaiton Example.mov

Download  (79 MB)