Who we are ...
Craig B. Todd Curt Prchal Craig - teaches grades 7-12 Technology Education in Harlem, Montana. He worked as a machinist for seven years before going back to school to become a teacher. During his 18 year tenure at Harlem Craig has put together a comprehensive CAD/CAM/CNC program. In the classroom he is using the following equipment ... Boxford A3HSRi CNC Router, Boxford 160TCL CNC Lathe, Denford Compact 1000Pro with 4th axis CNC Router and Torchmate CNC Plasma Cutter. Craig is also a qualified Pro/Desktop trainer. Curt - teaches grades 7-8 at will James Middle School in Billings, Montana. Curt purchased his first CNC (a Boxford Duet Machining Center) in the spring of 2001. This component of his program became so successful that he purchased a second machine ( a Denford MicroRouter Compact) in 2005. Curt and Craig use the machines daily in their programs with great success, whether is be Jr. High or High School. Our Beliefs on Modular Education We Do Not Advocate ... Using straight FULL-TIME Modular Learning ... it is a mistake. That's right, Crystal Creations does not recommend teaching ONLY modules. Students get tired of the learning the same way, day after day. You need to break it up! Completely replacing your existing program, dumping your current facilities, getting rid of the equipment, or filling it with a bunch of stuff you don't want or need. Throwing out curriculum or activities that are working well for you. We Do Advocate ... Using a variety of teaching methods ... teach modules for 4 to 5 weeks, then change to some unit-based activities for 2 or 3 weeks, and throw in a few 3 to 5 day problem solving activities now and then. Keeping your existing facility intact ... you don't need a bunch of fancy furniture to teach modular learning, plus you can use your existing equipment to produce much of the apparatus you will need for our modular learning packages. Keep it flexible! Keep what is working well in your program ... add new curriculum to supplement and enhance what you are already doing. That we teach "students" first, and the process of learning is paramount to the product. Quality curriculum materials and teaching techniques the real world can afford! © 2001 Crystal Creations All rights reserved. |
