The students I teach come from diverse cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds. We are a Title I school and don't always have all of the opportunities available at more affluent schools. We teach our students to dream big, that they can go to college, and that STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and STEAM (add art) careers present a wonderful opportunity. But, without the right resources to entice, cultivate, nurture, and build those interests, students lack a concrete connection or vision. Very few of my students have contact with someone in a STEM career, so this may be the only experience many of them may have in order to connect with STEM.
To many of our students and their family members, math and science are simply subjects to be suffered, but with the right tools, they can become vocational passions that last a lifetime.
That is, if the right switch can be flipped at the right time, before young minds turn off to the possibility.
My Project
Ozobot robotics systems promote hands-on learning. These robots provide a huge return on investment for years to come given the amount of computing power relative to the cost. This builds toward our long-term goal of creating interactive STEM-based classrooms with multiple technologies readily available. Combined with our existing robotics program, these robots provide amazing opportunities. Numerous iOS and web applications teach computer programming, and the Ozobot system empowers easy application. The systems interact with iOS devices, and allow programming via the "Hour of Code" Blockly language. The intuitive implementation allows our students to immediately implement their new "coding" knowledge. Our youngest programmers can suddenly program fully functional robots at the end of an hour lesson! To support this amazing opportunity, our teachers' have several STEM professionals who volunteer via programs sponsored by local companies.
The power of programming can also be unlocked via art with Ozobot robotics systems.
These robots respond to color patterns that allow for easy introductions to the world of programming via something all students know how to do...color! By coloring the basic patterns that tell the robot what to do, students are able to have an artistic outlet while learning the basics of programming logic and robotics systems. One more way that we can take our students from STEM-integration to full-on STEAM application with modern technology and creative instruction.
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