My students need the a few of the Sphero robots to learn the foundations of coding in a fun way. Imagine learning to code by using a robot that spins, bounces, flashes, gets wet, and dashes off.
I teach at a STEM focused elementary school. My students are creative, inquisitive, and compassionate second graders. They are learning about community, responsibility, and collaboration in a hands-on STEM classroom. I am inspired by their love for learning.
My students are 21st Century doers, leaders, and our future.
They thrive in an environment that challenges their minds to think outside the box. They love to learn about the world around them, social justice, and human interactions. My students love to look at the map and dream of faraway places. They love to learn about how people around the world live and to create solutions to the everyday problems that children face. Last year my students worked together to engineer a stand that holds a flashlight so kids without electricity could read at night. Most of all though they get extremely excited when they have opportunities to work on ipads we have in the classroom. iPads should be for more than practicing math skills, for example. Devices should be utilized to tap into higher levels of critical thinking and coding does just this.
My Project
We live in a digital world and it is becoming more digital by the day.
Here are some reasons why young students should learn how to code:
1. It empowers kids and gives them tools to express themselves in really cool ways
2. Coding is as easy as learning a language and can be learned even before reading
3. Students become fluent in technology at an early age
4. Programming is one of the fastest growing sectors
5. Computer and mathematical occupations have much higher earnings as compared to other jobs
Students will be able to use these robots to code the robot via an app what to do. It can spin, go fast, slow, and way more too. They will be able to demonstrate understanding of coding logic and mapping skills. Each year we have been participating in the Hour of Code - an international effort to get as many kids as possible coding for one hour. So far we have used some apps such as Kodable to ingrain coding skills. Each Sphero robot will be a hands-on and tactile tool for children to learn the logic behind coding while they are playing. I have seen students at another school use this robot to learn to code and the level of enthusiasm and excitement was astounding. I hope to be able to give students the opportunity to experience such enthusiasm while learning to code.
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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 Dr. Mohazab and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
