Offered first period of the school day, most teachers would anticipate a student body struggling to awaken to the demands of the day. This is not the case in my Robotics Class! The NXT and EV3 robots offer a unique and direct application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. These interactions spark excitement, curiosity and challenge in each one of my students that not only sets the tone for the rigor of their instructional day but provides critical thinking skills to inspire a lifetime of learning!
Students come from all over the city to nurture their interest in STEM related fields.
These students range from sixth to twelfth grade. Over half of our students come from low-income households making our program a Title 1 school. 61% are male, while 39% are female. As funding becomes limited, our staff is tirelessly working to create sustainable funding and resources that will put the most cutting edge technologies in the hands of our diverse and under-served students. I primarily work with students in grades 6-8. These resources would be used to support them.
My Project
The EV3 robot provides a gateway to science, technology, engineering and math, STEM, through its use of programming and construction of interactive robot sensors and motors. Students begin the course by investigating how the parts of the robot are supported by the software. The beginner lessons focus on movement of the motors by emphasizing moving straight and turning. Students gain application knowledge of how positive and negative numbers determine direction as well as how diameter and circumference of a wheel can be mathematical determiners for predicting the number of rotations to travel and set distance.
Students continue into the second portion of the course by investigating input data via sensors.
Color, ultrasonic, touch and gyro sensors are used on interactive boards providing students will a more robust application of physical property lessons from their middle school science classes.
Lastly, students are introduced to programming strategies that increase the autonomy of the robot to make "decisions" using loops for repeated actions and switches for choice!
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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. Navaroli and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.