Building Robots in the STEAM Classroom Science & Technology
My students need a variety of robotics kits, including Wonder Workshop Dash, launcher, OWL robotic arm, solar kits, and transforming kits, to learn code and programming.
I teach math and science core, incorporating hands-on, project-based learning in my classroom. I also teach a speech and technology elective, helping students develop 21st-century presentation skills. In mathematics, I have flipped my classroom.
What is a flipped classroom?
By sixth grade, I often receive statements from parents regarding their inability to help their students with middle school math. Even though parents desperately want to help their own children, they lack the ability to help. Every year of my teaching I have volunteered my time tutoring my students after school, since so many struggle with the rigorous challenges of complex learning concepts. Last year, I additionally created online tutorials for both students and parents could access to help with practices. I need additional materials to create an even greater impact on classroom learning and interventions. I want to learn how to incorporate robotics into my elective, encouraging student engagement, and achievement. Students are learning code, but I want them to learn about the engineering as well.
My Project
My students need robotics kits and technology tools to enhance my teaching and to build the robotics kits. These materials will help me promote learning engagement in the classroom and beyond. The robotics kits will be used to incorporate technology integration, computer concepts, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) activities. The investigative problem solving happens in class. The students will gain much-needed support from the learning materials and the innovative lessons will help them develop 21st-century learning skills. They will be applying computer code to program Dash and the launcher and engineering skills to build the OWL kits. How much fun would you have building robots, applying the computer code we are learning?
I have spent the summer attending trainings and professional developments on incorporating a more project-based approach to my flipped classroom, including activities that help students develop deeper understanding of challenging mathematical and scientific concepts.
The resources will help me bring common core to life in my classroom and continue my professional development, extending my own learning and technology integration to pass onto my classrooms.
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