Cambridge Elementary School Enrichment Program: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math)

Robot Rodeo 2016: Connecting Vermont Schools in Creative and Collaborative Coding of Physical Objects

The basic principle of this project was to connect students across grade levels and across Vermont in a collaborative coding project. This project connected classrooms with others participating in the project by sending out a robot or smart object that could be controlled using code on a journey to various classrooms around Vermont. Our robot "Ollie" visited us last spring.

Ollie, the App Controlled Robot

Students learned that robots come in many shapes, sizes, and forms. Most robots are not the human-like science fiction machines we see in movies. A robot can be any “mechanical device that is capable of performing a variety of tasks on command or according to instructions programmed in advance.” Students programmed Ollie with a few different ipad apps that applied basic coding skills to movement, light and sound sensors. Information can be found at http://robotrodeovt.blogspot.com/p/about-robot-rodeo.html. We're looking forward to Robot Rodeo 2017!

MaKey MaKey 2016

MaKey MaKey is an invention kit for the 21st century, allowing you to turn everyday objects into touch pads and combine them with the internet to do art, engineering, and everything in between. We had a lot of fun with it!!!

Toy Hacking 2016

Toy Hacking teaches students how circuits work through guided, hands-on exploration. It give students a simple definition of hacking — taking something apart and using it in a new way. I will be offering Toy Hacking during 5th and 6th grade Academic Rotations this fall. Students will choose one toy from a variety that I have provided. They will draw a picture and take notes about the parts of their toys, including what they see happening when they press different buttons and what they imagine is happening inside. Next, they will deconstruct the toy using various hand tools, again taking notes and making labelled diagrams of what they find inside the toy. The next phase is "reconstruct." Students will put the pieces back together using tape and hot glue, combining elements from different toys to make a new toy. I will encourage them to embellish: perhaps adding crafty elements such as wings out of cardboard and foam or adding glitter and googly eyes. There will be a final station at which students can integrate other electronics like LEDs with button cell batteries or perhaps more sophisticated circuits with switches, multiple lights, etc. Stay tuned for pictures of toy hacking in action!

Teachers Learn About Engineering Aug 2015