Students at Silver Spring Intermediate School and Templeton Middle School had the unique opportunity to design, create, assemble and learn to play their own instruments over the course of just three weeks. The ukulele club was a truly collaborative project involving staff from Applied Engineering and Technology (AET), Music and Art Departments.
Silver Spring Intermediate School and Templeton Middle School Applied Engineering and Technology Departments received state-wide recognition when they were named “2023 Middle School Program of the Year” by the Wisconsin Technology Education Association. As a result, the schools received “Build You Own Ukulele Kits” from Stem 101, a non-profit organization that works to improve STEM literacy for all students.
Teachers helped students turn their ukulele dreams into reality. Students learned about mechanical energy transformation to sound, amplification, fabrication, manufacturing and the science of sound. The experience culminated with a ukulele performance for families.
Silver Spring Intermediate School AET Teacher Megan Sykes remarked on the opportunity to collaborate with Art Teacher Amber Skaros and Music Teacher Vance Dahl. “Ukulele club at SSI has been an exciting collaboration in Art, Music and Applied Engineering & Technology. We are so proud of the designs, the assembly and the music everyone has created and we are grateful for all the talented people!” said Sykes.
“It’s great that kids were able to incorporate their fabrication skills from technology engineering along with their interest and passion in music. The kids did a terrific job and the ukuleles turned out so well!” said Templeton Middle School AET Teacher Shannon Flaherty. He added that Music Teacher Alex Chanto and Instructional Coach Dan Krill were instrumental in teaching students how to play their custom made ukuleles.
Students applied to become Ukulele Club members by completing a design and plan proposal. Members attended art studio sessions to apply their design to their ukulele, assembly sessions to construct their instruments and music sessions to learn how to play and practice.