In our second week of mentoring, designers introduced their partners from 4th or 5th grade to the Micro:Bit.
Using the name tag design challenge from CodeJoy, designers modeled how to create a scrolling name and flashing icons that represented their partner. They then challenged themselves to create even more together. |
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A few weeks back my donor's choose project for 2 class sets of Bit:explorers was funded and today was the first day of having designers use the Bit:explorer. Preparing the Bit:ExplorerIntroducing the Bit:Explorer to DesignersSo hindsight being 20/20, I should have created an intro video to the bit:explorer instead of just handing them out. Sure I had put a preset program on each of them but I should have known the importance of overviewing a new hardware piece. Here is how I should have introduced the bit:explorer. Servos and Sound Input
Talking Code Tutorial VideoTalking Code TestScaffolding AnglesThanks to the Glowforge, I created a cardboard scaffold for the servo to sit inside. I've included the file below.
Next my designers shared the games that they have been developing to get feedback about how to improve their game. As always the first meeting was more subdued but the take aways were super powerful for both groups.
I introduced the Criteria and Constraints for the project the next day. Designers started with the template with cover and I reminded them to go back to the Maze Video Tutorial or directions if they had questions as they were designing that the person next to them couldn't answer. Over the course of the next few days, designers watched an Edpuzzle 3D Certification video playlist that I developed so that each designer would have time to learn how to print their maze and teach another designer.
My Design Process
U - Understand the Problem or Process I looked at what I was already doing and decided to improve my How I Met My Monster STEM story learning. I remembered that Kelsey introduced gestures and the accelerometer of the Micro:bit so I knew that I wanted to break up the lesson with specific focuses. I gathered the resources that I had available that could also be used in my classroom. N - Navigate Ideas I love the color orange and I wanted my monster to be an active monster so I decided on creating an exercise monster with my Glowforge cardboard cut monster. I started with decorating my monster with the materials that I had.
Monster Lesson Update
After listening to the story, designers will select their cardboard monster and start to use different materials to design their physical monster.
Starry Night
Sensor Data Logging
We used the micro:bit data logging to find measure temperature, sound, and light in our environment. One thing that was important is the reminder that the temperature sensor is on the back of the micro:bit so if you are holding it in your hand, it could be reading your temperature instead of what you are hoping to be measuring. Radio BasicsIf you get the opportunity to learn with the CodeJoy team, I hope that you will agree with me that it is life-changing PD. The caliber of the PD keeps me engaged, excited, and energized to use with my own designers. I continue to learn both about the micro:bit but also effective ways to bring computational thinking as well as creative computing into my classroom.
PictionaryOur next Python programming challenge was to integrate the LED display to create three images that were triggered by the buttons and logo. I loved this activity because it was a fun way to incorporate diversity of design into a programming and game format. During this activity, we also learned about Logic Trees and how to use this visual to help designers understand what they are programming. Scavenger Hunt
Dice
Pseudo CompassHomework: Make a FriendI am going to dedicate a separate post to this project because I am revamping a previous lesson that I used this project to better reflect the iteration that I plan to use in the classroom. More to come.... I want to start this blog post by saying "Thank You" to Infosys Pathfinders for providing this learning opportunity and to the CodeJoy team of Kelsey, Matt, Amanda Jean, Mike, and Susan. I am truly appreciative of the three days of learning that provided me the bridge to using Python with the Micro:Bit in my classroom. I sit here two weeks before the school year officially starts surrounded by my Micro:Bits trying to process last week's learning. Two years ago, I knew only Code.org as a way to access computer science for my learners. Last summer I stumbled on CodeJoy as part of the Pathfinder's Summer PD learning for teachers. I know this sounds cliche but my life has never quite been the same. This summer I spent many hours with the CodeJoy team learning new ideas and revisiting last year's learnings to strengthen my own teaching. Python with BBC Micro:bit Overview
Session A HighlightsLearning about the Python Editor with Kelsey's introduction was the first step for me to realizing that this is a powerful tool that has been designed to make Python accessible through a well developed reference library that provides a starting point to the world of Python. The autofill feature as well as the drag and drop text based coding starts removed so many of the barriers that I already had with text-based coding. Animation: Making a GIF
Partner Name Tag Design Challenge
So this summer the team, which has now grown to 5 amazing individuals, is offering 3 free all day virtual making and learning opportunities called Make A Thons. I was fortunate enough to participate in most of the first Make A Thon and am looking forward to this Friday. Morning Session
Evening Session
It didn't take long for me to understand why Rudy is so loved in the educational field. His positive approach to learning and sharing makes you feel immediately at ease. I knew that he was pretty amazing based on twitter chatter but I finally was able to experience this first hand.
Breakout Group
I was able to ask questions, learn how to convert temperatures using a function, how to download a data logging project to my Micro:Bit, upload the data to Codap, and manipulate the data. Rudy showed me the importance of live coding when doing a project with students as well as shared other resources to leverage the Micro:Bit and other robotic components like Breakout boards, weather:bit, and DFrobot for even more expansion ideas. Additional ResourcesClick on the above images to access the resources. GearBox Labs is a STEM Education non-profit based in Wisconsin, United States that reaches learners around the country and the world. They publish curriculum, produce learning kits, and provide workshops for students, teachers and self-motivated learners. I was lucky enough to register for two virtual workshops this summer. Having completed the first workshop, I am going to share my experience. Day 1 and 2: Tinkercad Circuits and Arduino
At first I struggled with manipulating both the pieces and the wires in Tinkercad Circuits. Adding text based code when I am still really learning about circuits was a little overwhelming on the first day (breadboards, Arduino Uno, resistors). I was thankful that the PD was only 2 hours because I needed to be able to regroup and come back the following day. The first day I just tried to stay with the group and copy what was being modeled. I was thankful to have multiple screens.
On Day 2, I learned how to copy the code from Tinkercad, open Arduino IDE, and paste a new sketch. I learned that the red words were functions, I learned that you need to go to Tools - board - and select the board. You also need to go to tools - port - modem to send your code to the Arduino. I learned about the Piazo buzzer which sends electric signals through plastic and is a passive buzzer. Active buzzers only make one tone. We also did the potentiometer project to create a LED dimmer control.
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)As part of the Glowforge community, I learned about different projects that are being designed and shared at cuttle.xyz, an amazing website that allows designers to create unique designs off of different prototypes. The one that I am going to focus on today is the Name Puzzle Maker.
Classroom ApplicationsSo besides making name puzzles, I could see this being easily manipulated to create powerful learning tools in the classroom.
1. Create a bilingual puzzle with the word in both languages and add an engraved image that supports the word from the Glowforge library of images. 2. Create a word practice board that integrates the manipulation of the physical letters and an acrylic lined rectangle for practicing the word by writing it on the acrylic with a dry erase marker. 3. Build an understanding of vowels, suffixes, prefixes, etc. by using colors to reinforce parts of the word that is being focused on. I see so many possibilities with this free resource. I strongly recommend visiting cuttle to explore more of the templates as well as how to learn to create different projects.
Activist chose a cause, researched about the organization, create items to sell, surveyed an audience to select two products moving forward, created a video to QR code to an informational promotion poster, as well as sell their items. Check out the videos by scanning the QR codes as well as watching their mixtapes. In the end, our 6th graders fundraised $351 for 4 different local charities. Flip Mixtape Documenting All Projects
About a month ago, our Bambu X1C printer arrived. Here is the first part of our journey.
Arrival and Unpacking
Our First Prints
My First Design
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