What problem would you like to solve when you grow up? This is the question that drives our eighth grade technology class. To answer this question, problem solving and creative thinking skills have to be learned. In order to develop these skills, students need original problems, allowing students to be creative while learning to solve their own problem. This leads to reflecting on the process they used to solve that problem, evaluating what worked well and what needs improvement. In a community where over half of our students come from low income families, providing robust, hands-on equipment that fosters creativity and problem solving, is hard for our students to get anywhere but at school, in our classroom. Every student, no matter their family situation, should have the opportunity to learn the skills of problem solving and creativity.
My Project
After spending time creating and building code in a digital setting, it is important to allow the students to take what they learned in the digital setting and work with code in a physical setting. EVs give student this ability by letting them build a physical robot and then code it to perform specific tasks, showing students the power of code in a physical world. In creating real problems, they must be more through. With more EV3’s, students can work in smaller groups, allowing more student access and a better working environment. Once they have the basics of the code, students will then get to compete against each other for points to be the Lego EV3 champ of the class.
In class, our students create a game using the program, Scratch, which allows them to create a game that others can play.
This is great, but limited to keys on the keyboard. The Makey Makey will allow that game to have more dimensions. A Makey Makey can be used with anything that conducts electricity to be used for a desired function. This will make things like bananas, glasses of liquid and even others to be a part of what makes the game work. Scratch alone is a great program but when paired with a Makey Makey and the options for the way things are played, are limitless.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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