7th graders learned about the Hummingbird robotics kit with servos, sensors, lights, and more to create a final mini golf course for their 3rd grade partners.
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Designers also shared their new found coding skills with the teleporting duck activity as a preview of next week's Treasure Hunt with the Micro:bit.
Lastly designers had time to explore and design in Challenge Central of Makers Empire.
So I wanted to just capture a week of learning for me as an educator, maker, and designer. I have been extremely fortunate to have connections that have been created through X and Pathfinders. I am always amazed at how invested different educational companies are in their products and how responsive they are to my comments on X.
Monday - Lectrify
A few months ago, I stumbled across a post about the Bit:Explorer created by Diego of Lectify. The not so funny thing was that we both presented on the same day with CodeJoy's Make-a-thon in August but I never attended his session. I find that this small world of makers is always ready to include you when you reach out.
I was fortunate enough to write a Donor's Choose for 20 classroom Bit:Explorers that helped push me to apply what I was learning with Hummingbird and Micro:Bit into another similar technology. I've included my playlist of Bit:Explorer because my designers have loved working with the device which we used for Talking Objects and Mini-Golf instead of the Hummingbird.
We also talked about the flex ball and printing using TPU as well as what happened when I dropped the ball and sent pieces of my Bit:Explorer flying. I learned more about using the Micro:Bit, the Bit:Explorer, and more which I am using as a model for the Global Goals Design Challenge that my designers and I are doing right now.
Reset Lever
FACT Tv Partnership
Besides learning new technologies, I am working on re-establishing partnerships to build our connections to the community. Mr. Craugh, our principal, and I have been meeting to start a partnership with FACT Tv, our local community television station. Check out our promo:
Nezha - Inventor's Kit for Micro:Bit
Pathfinders: Finch and Python
This lesson is based on the Infosys Pathfinders CodeJoy Hummingbird PD Day 1. Students will already know how to program an LED as well as a servo prior to this activity.
Design Thinking Story
I love using stories to introduce a project because stories are such an essential part of our culture.
Design Thinking Project: Tiny Drummer
Objective: Using the story To Be a Drum, find a song that moves you and can be animated with a tiny drummer. Use the design process to create and code your tiny drummer to the beat of the song that you have selected.
Resources: Video Tutorial Troubleshooting Coding Cards Day 1: Example of PlanningDay 2: Physical Construction (Plan and Create)Day 3: Coding Your Robot (Plan and Create)Day 4: Tiny Drummer Version 1 (Improve)
I have blogged on previous parts of this unit - Hummingbird Posts. Watching my designers engage in creative robotics using simple tools like cardboard and creating amazing robots with the integration of servos, LEDs, and sensors, has been the missing part in my curriculum. I don't want my designers to just program robots, I want them to create from the beginning to the end. In the Simple Robots Flip, you can see how designers started with iterations that quickly evolved. The designers then took their designs and shared them with their fifth grade partners. Several groups even had their partners add to their design. This unit has reinforced my belief that computer science and making are powerful tools for unleashing creativity at any age. Simple Robots Flip
This week designers explored the four different sensors in their Hummingbird Robotics kit. Using Kelsey and Matt's tutorials, designers learned about how to use the different sensors.
Hummingbird Sensors MixtapeAs the 8th grade designers learn more and more about circuits, servos, sensors, and LEDs, they share even more ways to create with their partners from Ms. Knoll and Ms. Prathivadi's 5th graders. Designers continue to share via Flip what they are learning together. Click on the image below to hear some of the designers sharing their learning about Hummingbird robotics, Snap Circuits, and designing with the Glowforge.
I need to trust the process and the designers to navigate the uncertainties of collaborative cross age learning experiences.
In a few weeks, I will be able to access the tutorials for this project. I am continually amazed at how easy it is to learn with Kelsey and Matt but also the amount of resources that they share freely with educators and students. If you go to the student section of CodeJoy's website, you can click on the interactive student sessions where there are videos and project PDFs that you can use with your students. Nothing will replace the banter of a PD session with Kelsey and Matt but I truly appreciate the resources that I can use with my students too.
This week was a highly anticipated week for me. After learning how to use the Hummingbird robotics in summer PD from Infosys and CodeJoy, I realized that this was the robotics that belonged in my classroom. After getting a Donor's Choose Flock (4 of the premium) of Hummingbirds in early January, I finally could share this powerful learning and creating journey.
My journey started in the summer but because Birdbrain has a robust PD video support program, I quickly relearned what I really didn't remember. I recognized that I wasn't going to be as dynamic as Kelsey and Matt on my first go around, so I leaned heavily on what they created and continue to provide throughCodeJoy. I am still learning too. Week 1: Introduction and LEDs
BirdBrain PD (My Edpuzzle Hack)
Already I feel more confident in bringing robotics and making into my classroom with my designers. This week ended with a challenge that we had in our PD of creating a LED mascot which designers shared in Flip. I love using Flip to capture learning.
Notes from Week 1: I do realize that a kit per two people is what I need for my classroom. I had three designers to a kit but it really allowed one of the designers to not be engaged and that is not what I want to see happening. More fundraising on the way..... Our Flip Hummingbird Designs Mixtape |
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