From the Bay School’s founding in 2004, technology has played a crucial role in the school’s mission to promote the education of literate, engaged, and responsible citizens. In its many forms, technology is utilized as a tool to support learning across all disciplines and to foster communication, collaboration, and creation. In addition, we believe that it is not enough to teach young adults how to use technology. In the 21st century, they must also understand the ethical issues surrounding the application of technology and be prepared to consider the social, cultural, and political ramifications of its use.

Computing technology is an integral part of the academic experience at Bay. Our one-to-one laptop program provides a school-issued laptop to every student and teacher, supported by a campus-wide wireless network. Across the curriculum, laptop use is integrated with more traditional information platforms to enhance instruction. Teachers in each discipline take advantage of computer technology to make math, science, foreign language, philosophy, world religions, literature, writing, and even music classes engaging. More specifically, we offer three levels of computer science classes, and Bay School students may choose electives in Digital Imaging, Digital Video Production, and Electronic Music Studio, working in the school’s Media Lab which features 23 iMacs providing the most up-to-date digital media applications.

Technology also plays an important role in extracurricular programs at Bay. Our Engineering Club gives students the opportunity to engage in the work of professional scientists and engineers. In past years they have studied alternative energy production and storage, which involved building a full-scale prototype electric car. The club has also designed and built underwater remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs) and VEX-brand robotics which have participated in regional and national competitions. The opening of new school facilities at 3 Funston Avenue in fall 2011 will provide additional workshop space for our engineering and design programs.

Meet the Bay School MARMOTs

Outside of the Bay School, MARMOTs may conjure up images of small, cute, and furry critters. But walk into Room 315 at Bay, and you’ll discover a different breed of MARMOT altogether; you’ll come face-to-face with a Magnanimous Assistant Repairing Malfunctioning Office Technology. The ten students who function as MARMOTs not only display exceptional levels of technical expertise, they represent a powerful example of student empowerment and leadership in our school community.

Originally recruited in 2008 to help prepare hundreds of laptops for distribution to students and teachers, the MARMOTS have evolved into a full-service technical support team. With the guidance and encouragement of Bay's technology director, MARMOT-led initiatives have transformed the environment for educational technology. An imaging process for laptops that once took nearly two hours per machine when performed by an out-sourced vendor now takes fifteen minutes under a protocol developed by the MARMOTs. 

Their responsibilities continue to expand. During the 2010-2011 school year the MARMOTs designed and delivered instructional classes on laptop usage to the entire freshmen class. Each MARMOT prepared a subject for instruction and taught classes on such foundational subjects as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Bay’s community website, OneNote, Outlook, speech-to-text software, Audacity, and much more. Using their free periods, MARMOTs respond to the majority of walk-in service requests by students and faculty alike.

Looking ahead, the MARMOTs are considering a range of additional services, including an in-house programming department. They have taken the initial steps to create a Web-Database Application Programming environment using Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP. An ESX server has been installed to develop virtual machines capable of creating environments for programmer development. The MARMOTs will learn how to collect and document user requirements and to code, test, and implement application programs. The benefits of customized programming will soon be part of life at the Bay School.

Learning by doing.  Learning by serving others.  Collaborating in teams.  Solving real-world problems.
These are the cornerstones of the Bay School experience, and they have become the defining characteristics of a Bay School MARMOT.