This week we started diving deeper into mentoring in circuits and the Glowforge. Because materials are limited, teams have 3 choices that they will complete over the next three weeks. The Flip mixtape is just a few of the different projects that are happening with the 8th and 5th grade design teams. | |
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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
Ms. Moll captured beautifully the work that our first semester group of 8th grade designers made happen for our 3rd grade buddies. I love seeing the joy that my designers created by mentoring in 3D printing, Glowforge laser designs, and Makers Empire.
Thank you to the InfyMakers grant and VAEF grant for supporting this project!
This week was the start of semester 2 and the opportunity to reintroduce the Glowforge to my designers. This time I created an Edpuzzle introduction (an edited version is below without our login).
Glowforge Design Challenges
Previous challenges include acrylic jewelry, leather bracelet, wood ornament, and a name snowflake. Below is the youtube playlist that will continue to be developed.
Visual Snapshot into Our Collaboration Using Flip MixtapesPumpkin Tea Lights Project
In the two weeks since the Glowforge arrived, our designers have been learning and creating up a storm. Today they had the opportunity to share what they are learning with their partners from Ms. Moll's class.
Since each dog tag takes 5 minutes, mentors played math games from Seesaw with the partners and created turkey cards with pieces cut from the Glowforge. Friday may have become everyone's favorite day for this group because they love having their partners come to our classroom to learn, design, and create.
On Monday, I had to postpone our mentor printing after realizing that many of my designers didn't have all of the prints needed for our 3rd graders to be able to see and experience their 3D printing with us. On the same day, I removed one of the coolest designed prints to date. David had been quietly working on creating his cereal dispenser on Tinkercad and it blew me away with the moving doors and thought involved in the design. Listen to him explain his design in his own words....
Mentoring ... Day 2
This Friday was the first time that our 8th grade designers started to mentor Ms. Moll's third grade students in 3D Design and Printing. They learned about each other, shared a 3D video, and helped their partner log in to Makers Empire.
3D Design and Printing Unit
For the last few weeks, designers in our 3D Design and Build class have been learning about the world of 3D design and printing. Using Wakelet, my students accessed videos about 3D Printing in Our World, 3D Communities, and 3D Printing for a Purpose. In the first printing rotation, they found a print in 3D Communities that they wanted to print where they learned how to slice and use the printer.
In the second printing rotation, they learned how to use Makers Empire, Morphi EDU, and Tinkercad to create a print that serves a purpose in our school, home, or community. Currently they are in the process of iterating their designs using the Design Thinking Process. As I read the mentor reflections from our bubble wand project of mentoring in 3D Design and Printing, it reminds me of the value of mentoring for our middle school designers. Next year I hope to find even more powerful ways to have my designers collaborate with our younger learners.
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