This week, a student gave me some original artwork that inspired me and that I really wanted to share with all of you.
When I asked her about it, she explained that this is what she thinks Col. Jo (the VEX GO mascot) looks like, that Jo is short for a girl’s name, like Joanna or something like that. I love so much about this spontaneous artwork, and it got me thinking…
Col. Jo is an intentionally ambiguous sort of character, so that students can put their own stamp on the character and Jo can be whoever they want Jo to be. Wouldn’t it be really neat to explore this with students as a fun extension to what you’re doing with VEX GO in the classroom? Asking the question Who is Col. Jo to you? can give us some great insight into how students are connecting with what they’re learning. Here are some ideas:
- Let students draw what they think Col. Jo looks like and write about who Jo is to them - sort of like a personality profile of sorts.
- Invite students to research astronauts and choose one that resonates with them, that Col. Jo could represent. Have students present their findings and explain why that astronaut (or STEM related thinker) is meaningful to them, how they can be inspired by that person in their work, etc.
- Make this a school-wide or multi-class project and have everyone share their Col. Jo on a hallway bulletin board. Make time to have discussion about the different interpretations and inspirations that students see.
I think this could be a really interesting, fun, and creative way to glimpse into how students are making sense of themselves as STEM learners. If anyone gives this a try, please post the results! Have your students done anything fun or creative with Col. Jo? Please share!