This week designers started the next part of our Computer Science and Problem Solving Unit with simple circuits and Makey Makey. This summer through Pathfinders Infosys Foundation, I was able to participate in a virtual PD around Snappy Circuits and Makey Makey with Colleen Graves. Modeling my lessons this week after a sample unit that she developed, my designers learned about simple circuits and Makey Makey. We started with a simple circuit and Chibitronics card with regular small LEDs and copper tape. The copper tape proved to be a little challenging but designers really problem solved with each other which was a joy to see. On Tuesday, designers were challenged to set-up a carrot piano and explore the different apps in Makey Makey Plug and Play. It was quite challenging and pushed designers to pay attention to the tutorials. We tried to use adapters with the Makey Makeys and our iPads but found that only about half of the designers were successful with getting a sound response from their iPads so I quickly pivoted to our old Chromebooks. On Wednesday, designers learned about conductors and insulators with the Is it Conductive? activity that Colleen designed using the Is it Conductive plug and play. This activity is super powerful because it will bridge into our design your own game and controller activity. This activity ties well between the technology of the Makey Makey and the science of circuitry. |
Mixtape of Student Learning about Circuits and Makey Makey
Mentoring
On Friday, they then mentored their 3rd grade partners in Makey Makey, Snap Circuits, and using their 3D printed cookie cutters from Cookiecad. My edible playdoh recipe that I used was an epic fail of sticky goo made from whip cream, cornstarch, and olive oil. Bummer but it was still fun! | |