My high school is considered to be one of THE most diverse schools in California in terms of racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. I have many students from extremely under-served communities mixed together with students from more privileged backgrounds. It's a wonderful, if challenging, mix.
My students are extremely kind, sweet, curious young people.
Some of them have a lot of energy and would really benefit from doing more hands-on activities. I want to give them access to materials that will allow them to see that what we are learning in physics is real and can be touched!
My Project
These materials are for an innovative project-based "Maker" course in which students will learn the basics of computer programming and computer-aided design to build an artistic "Light Sculpture". The Arduinos are essential to allowing students to write code that will control how the LEDs will light and the computer mice will allow students to use 3D computer-aided design more easily.
The hands-on and creative nature of this project will be particularly beneficial for engaging and inspiring students of color in STEAM.
The project will allow students to bring their own ideas to life, which will help mitigate questions of school's relevance. The project is intended to give students an authentic, fun and meaningful design and build experience that will inspire them to pursue a STEAM education afterwards.
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