My students need a set of interative, programmable robots, called Dash and Dot, and a different robot, called Sphero, which is programmable through an app.
Never say "Can't" is our class motto. Challenge students at Westfield just don't give up, even when faced with the toughest problems. They come to my classroom hungry for knowledge, new ideas, and opportunities to explore.
STEM students are crazy about design, computers, technology, science, math, and creativity.
Our school is outside Chicago, with over 30% of the population qualifying for free and reduced lunch. We might be lacking funds, but certainly not enthusiasm. The boys and girls are always interested in learning new things, and even take time to thank me after class is finished. How special are my students? Very!
My Project
My second through fifth grade STEM students truly enjoy learning about coding through the Hour of Code program. My older students in grades 4/5 have Lego Robotics to program in a hands-on setting, but my grade 2/3 students do not have a hands-on component. That's where the little blue robots, Dash and Dot, come into play! Students could use their coding skills to command Dash and Dot to interact in various ways. (Dash and Dot -morse code!)
Blockly, a visual programming language that the students learn in Hour of Code, introduces advanced play. Drag and drop blocks of code can help students direct Dash & Dot around our classroom. Eventually, students will be building applications for Dash & Dot on iOS and with Objective C and Java.
Once students have mastered Dash and Dot, they'll be ready to move on to Sphero. Sphero is the world's first app-enabled robotic ball. After graduating from Dash and Dot, teams of students can explore physics and programing with this awesome robot!
Donating to this project is an investment in technology, ideas, and inventions.
Coding is a language that our students need to become proficient at to be globally competitive in the future. By helping us purchase these robots, you'll bring much joy, fun, and thinking into our 2/3 grade classroom.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Pumo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
