My students are STEM addicts. Since we have opened our new STEM lab, I am stopped in the hall every day by kids asking when they can come do a project in the lab. They are fascinated by robots, and can't wait to learn programming with them.
My students are in grades K through 6, and come from a variety of economic and social backgrounds.
No matter what their circumstances, they are always eager to learn. While we have a strong focus on math and language arts, I am working hard to increase student exposure to the sciences as well. I am also looking for ways to integrate a variety of subjects in our STEM projects to show students how what they are learning in class is applied in the real world.
My Project
My grades 4 through 6 students have been dabbling in programming basics for the past several years. Next year, the new technology standards for the state will be implemented, and include the introduction of programming and STEM in grades K through 3. Ozobots are the perfect introduction to programming for the younger students without being overwhelming or intimidating. These adorable robots will also grow with the students as they progress through their time with me. Kindergarten and first grade students can learn the basics of logic and programming by using color codes and patterns to control their 'bots. Second and third graders can advance to use the iPad apps to learn more about code sequence and logic. Fourth through sixth graders can apply what they have learned to design interactive games and activities that are a hybrid of physical and digital. Imagine how fun learning can be with these creative little 'bots!
My students will be thrilled to have a chance to become 'real programmers' and control their robots.
They will never realize how much they are learning about math, logic, science, and more as they learn and experiment with the Ozobots. These 'bots could provide the spark to students who would never have considered working in programming or robotics. Who knows, ten years from now, a student who got their start with the Ozobots may be the one who invents the first artificial intelligence!
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