What excites 3rd grade students? How about working in a small group to roll objects down ramps and record speed and distance; then enter the results into a spreadsheet to create tables and graphs. Check the lesson out here on Hapara Workspace -- j.mp/2IDgqJz
Circuits & Connections
In addition to our students learning about circuits and connections through the use of Makey, Makey, students also work with little bits and Snap Circuits.
Makey Makey
Makey Makey is an invention kit for the 21st century. Turn everyday objects into touchpads and combine them with the internet. It's a simple Invention Kit for Beginners and Experts doing art, engineering, and everything in between.
Makey, Makey is a circuit board students can attach to their computers to set up commands that computers will follow. The commands are relayed to the circuit board through inanimate objects.
Coding
Coding is introduced as early as Kindergarten. Through the Hour of Code global initiative, programs are offered for all age levels into adulthood.
Who doesn't love to make and fly paper airplanes? To learn about forces, fifth grade students did just that. By working with their teams, they were able to work through the Hapara Workspace shown below. Workspace -- j.mp/2mCV1FY
TinkerCAD and 3D Printing
Our students are great at designing and love to create. We are fortunate to be able to team up with our local library to introduce Tinkercad and 3D printing. A specialist in 3D printing from the Elmwood Park Public Library visits the technology center bringing along the library's 3D printer. He gives a presentation to the students to explain what 3D printing is and how it works. Then the students make a design in Tinkercad and it is printed.
Ahren Sievers has visited the school several times to work with the students. He has shared his expertise and experiences. Students are encouraged to then visit the Elmwood Park Library to be able to continue on with 3D printing and more.
Scratch Programming
Scratch is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation with people from all over the world.
Scratch is designed and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab.
Our students begin working with Scratch, Jr. on their iPads in first grade and move on to Scratch by 3rd or 4th grade.