I spent one class period each with 3 – 5th grade classes to code the micro:bit and neopixels to send some morse code (you also need 3 alligator clip wires). I thought that using number of lights would be easier than how long a light was on would be easier to understand dot/dash. In one class period we only got as far as lighting up 1 light for a dot and 3 lights for a dash. They were going to work on it further the next time class met to actually send a message
SouthCentralJrSrHigh
I got to spend 3 days at South Central Jr/Sr High in Elizabeth, Indiana. I worked with a variety of teachers and students.
We started with makey-makey in the Environmental Science class where they were working on food webs. They picked one omnivore, carnivore, herbivore, producer, decomposer. They either made a model or drawing, then connected it to the makey makey and recorded some information to be spoken when touched
The next class was history where we talked about da vinci a little. They made a “whirlygig” and dropped them in the gym. Then they tried their hand at making a da vinci bridge out of craft sticks. This is really difficult because the sticks slide on each other. A couple of groups got a bridge, others seemed to be weaving a wall.
Then it was off to ICP where they had been studying motion so we talked a little about the concepts of speed, velocity, acceleration, forces. The students worked on making a rubberband powered vehicle to explore those concepts. two groups had a vehicle that moved by the end of the block. They were hoping to keep trying next time class met.
Everyone starts by gluing wheels on an axle then gluing that to some sticks…when they really need to start by building a chasis, then figuring out how to attach wheel/axle that spins.
Of course there were materials to bling it out.
WE finished the day in biology where they have been studying genetics. Their task was to choose 6 traits to give a Momma & Pappa monster, then choose how they represented in each (dominant vs recessive). Next was to talk about what traits would show in the offspring. They had to make or draw both parents an 3 offspring.
That evening we held a “Maker Night” for Elementary students. We had about 75 show up with at least one adult, often two adults (and some younger siblings)
They got to :
make their own string art (pounding nails & wrapping string)(1000 ran out fast).
build with coffee stirrers and pipe cleaners
build with PVC
design a backpack tag to laser cut
It was busy.
The next day we did some more genetics, asked Science Olympiad kids questions (and lent a hand), built more rubberband racers, then ended with Biotechnology class and talking about genetic modifications. Their task was to give a plant or animal two traits from another, with a reason. And make the model
Day 3 we spent time with 2 Algebra classes. They had been studying linear equations and just started “System of Equations”. The teacher had found a project that I tweaked a little. Students were creating a map of a city that they were planning. Some buildings were given, as well as a river and highway (equations). They had to add a street between two points, then more streets parallel & perpendicular. Then some more buildings and bridges. Some of this required them to solve a System of Equations to find locations. They also had to create equations for parallel and perpendicular roads. This was started in Desmos, then transferred to a large paper. Then as they went through successive steps, they could use Desmos to check things before adding to big map.
I forgot how long it would take for students to create their own grid on lard paper (which is why i used to buy a roll of grid paper)
The last block of the day was honors English. They are reading books (of their own choosing) and “highlighting” examples of “descriptive text” (like simile, alliteration, …). Today was their chance to pick a phrase and make a physical model of it
GrandPark
The Indiana Connections Career Academy (an online charter school) asked us to be a part of their event at the event center of Grand Park (there were several exhibitors, including a disc golf hole). It was a 4 hour time window where there students could come together from across Indiana to meet up and learn some different things. So we unloaded several activities for their students (maybe 70 k-8). Several teachers from the academy and some HS students helped with the activities.
We had :
pvc construction
battery & bulb (CR2032 & 5 mm LED) and paper circuits
sticker cutting with Cricut Joy
coding & robotics with micro:bit
stomp rockets
general “build something” with craft supplies and cardboard
One interesting thing was that when kids saw the stomp rocket launchers in one spot, and similar pvc materials in another spot, they decided to make their own launchers. There were multiple rocket launchers as well as multiple bottle inputs…unfortunately we ran out of bottles mid way through the time. (I like using 12-20 ounce bottles)
microbit&sound
We worked with 3 – 5th grade classes that were exploring concepts of waves. We utilized the micro:bit as sound level detector. This was their first time using a micro:bit. First we had them display the temperature. Then we replaced that with sound level. Next we had them use the “plot bar graph” piece of code to get a graph that kept changing , and was easier to see the changes. Our 3rd part (that we got to with a couple of students) was having the sound level be the brightness of the 5×5 array.
Using iPads with the micro:bit is not always the easiest. Pairing doesnt always work. Soemtimes the micro:bits go back to “first us mode” (wanting you to go through “touch A” “touch B” “shake”…). But we got through it and they had fun making noise.
It would be good to compare micro:bit 256 sound levels to a true decibel meter.
presentation I used to help us walk through steps :
Electricity
Spent 3 afternoons with an elementary class working with electricity and circuits.
As always, we started with 5 mm LED and CR2032 battery to see if they could figure out how to light it up. Then they got to try multiple colors and multiple bulbs. The teacher had some electricity kits, so we worked with those parts (battery, battery holder, bulb, bulb holder, wires) to explore a simple circuit, adding a switch, then series and parallel circuits. On the final day the students created some paper circuits. They made a drawing then used copper tape, 5 mm LED, CR2032 battery to light up a piece or two on it.
There are always a few kids who have some misconceptions that need corrected….like Thomas Edison did NOT invent the light bulb (he patented an easily produced, long lasting bulb)… or Ben Franklin did NOT discover electricity (he proved that lightning was electricity).
presentation :
CanaryKnife
Canary knives are one of the important tools when working with cardboard.
Diego from Lectrify { https://www.lectrify.it/ } shared a #3Dprinting file on Thingiverse { https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4923987 } so you can print handles to go with replacement blades. This might bring the cost down a little, or let kids personalize their tools. I picked up a couple of replacement blades on amazon { https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GJKE66E }
I don’t have the exact right size screw and nut. Diego says M3 8 mm would fit best. I have 4-40 1/2″ which are a little long and the nut is a little big to fit in the slot. But it holds fine.
NatureWalk
I started off the New Year with a Nature walk with a 5th grade class at Lakeview Elementary (21 students). They have a nice wooded trail at their school. This is actually a “writing/story telling” exercise in that we want them to take pictures (they have iPads) along the trail. Then they should pick one or many pictures that motivates them to write a story. They can use as many of their pictures in the story telling, they can look up some others to add in or they can draw some things to add in (one student was drawing a “book cover” for their story).
I look forward to reading/hearing these stories.
I showed a couple of students how to get started with iMovie so that they could narrate their story. I also showed a couple of others how to do the same in Google Slides.
Amazingly enough, I have been on 4 walks on this trail and have failed to take a single picture.
I will work on that.
I did mark some waypoints, but need to do more to get a better outline of the whole trail (those were for key locations)
(finally some pics of the trail :
12SleighsPart2
Today was 2 4th grade classes at McCormick’s Creel Elementary. I read the story of how the elves prototyped a new sleigh for Santa. Then introduced them to the tools & materials they would be using. New tools are exciting for everyone. And yes, we talked about safety.
They got to work. One class had more complete plans before starting to build than the other one did. Then a furious hour or so of cutting cardboard (they love that part – new tool) and putting things together. There are always a couple of hot glue burns (nothing requiring a nurse).
A couple of groups finished in each class.
We need more time so they get to share their ideas.
We probably need 2 hours for the whole thing (read, plan, build, share)
Even at the 4th grade level, there are always a group (or two) that havent figured out how to work together (“what do you mean you changed the design again”). Interpersonal dynamics is always a work in progress.
12Sleighs
12 Sleighs is a good #Maker book because it is about the elves making 12 prototypes of a new sleigh for Santa. This is great for some new tool skills, design process, collaboration (always a learning process).
The more stuff they get to make, they better they are at making.
I went to Linton Stockton to do a prototyping session with 2 classes of 2nd graders.
First they have to draw some ideas, then use cardboard as a main material. We also have available a variety of craft supplies (straws, pipe cleaners, pom poms, buttons, cotton balls, yarn, thin foam, crayons, markers). It is the first time using cardboard tools (ZipSnips, cardboard scissors, canary knives) and for some the first time using hot/cool glue guns. Of course I also added LED’s to the mix.
You think 1.5 hours is enough time to build something…. but it is tough to get a prototype completed in that time (the first 10 minutes were “here is what you are doing and here are the tools & safety”
Next up is some 4th graders at McCormick’s Creek Elementary
SouthCentralJHHS
I took a trip down to Elizabeth IN the other day to work with a group of JH kids and a set of HS kids.
The 20 JH kids were not a “class”, but an RTI enrichment group. They meet and do a variety of learning activities. We did some electricity. They had LED’s and a battery to start with and worked on lighting 1, then as many as they could. Then they did paper circuits (copper tape, battery, bulb) with their own drawings.
The 10 Biology 2 students were asked to make a model of a virus. They were just starting this topic, so a good time to get the “parts of a virus” and talk about how they function as they created them. I bought some 80 mm bath bomb molds (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AIY1RKY ) for them to make their virus. They utilized a variety of craft materials for the parts (jewelry beads, buttons, pipe cleaners, thin foam, straws, string/yarn). Some painted the shell. They had fun and we had some good conversations about what they had just learned (bacteria) and starting to learn.