Viking Pilots Lead the Way

The Viking Pilots are the SDMS Student Tech Team. Composed of around thirty 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, they provide tech support and training to their fellow students and teachers, and sometimes assist the IT staff with various duties relating to technology in our building. The goals of this program are to engage students around technology in a positive, pro-social way, to encourage student mastery of technology, and to empower students to become resources for technology in our building. Students are recommended by their teachers and are expected to adhere to high standards of behavior, effort and academics. Because it is not self-selecting, this program provides leadership opportunities for students who wouldn't otherwise put themselves forward.

Each grade level is working on a different project, designed to train their tech skills, develop mastery of key applications, hone their collaboration, and support projects happening in their classrooms. For example, the 8th grade Viking Pilots of creating a 'Welcome to SDMS' video for new students using iMovie. iMovie is used in the 8th grade classrooms for various PBL projects, so these students will both be creating something useful for the school while learning the ins and outs of the software. This means that when iMovie questions arise in their classrooms, they'll be ready to support teachers and students.