Global Conference on Educational Robotics

It was a busy summer with professional opportunities. So busy, that it has taken almost three months to have time to share. The first two weeks of the new school year are behind me. As usual, I will be making changes based on the new information on instructional practices I have learned throughout the summer. One big change is moving my robotics instructions for fourth and fifth grade students, as well as my after school groups, towards the Junior Botball robot (https://www.juniorbotballchallenge.org/).

I have tried and used various robotics platforms during elementary engineering instruction, after school groups, and makerspace. LEGO robotics, WeDo and Mindstorms, have been the predominant robotics used. These are fantastic because they come with a variety of curriculum and are easy to start using whether experienced with robotics or not. Other robotics formats include Cubit and Edison. All of these platforms have pros and cons. The Cubit robot is a platform that allows students to see the inner components of the robot and demystifies the hardware components. Edison robots are easy to use and do not require any formal programming since the robot can scan programmed bar-codes to program the robot for specific tasks. In fact, these robots were used to hold a school-wide sumobot challenge because students of all ages could program the robots either using the bar-codes or drag and drop. In fact, all of the robots, LEGO, Cubit, and Edison, use a drag and drop programming platform. Junior Botball is the first robotics platform I have experienced that is designed for students from kindergarten through high school and requires the students to program in C++ or Python.

Junior Botball does not use a drag and drop interface but instead teaches the students a programming language. I was able to see students as young as first grade programming at the Global Conference on Educational Robotics (GCER). The competition portion of GCER (http://new.gcer.net/) had different divisions including elementary, middle school/high school, and adult. In addition to the competition, GCER held various sessions for coaches and students. The sessions included how to implement Junior Botball, programming and engineering instruction, and much more. The overall feel of GCER was that of a learning experience. This was one of the best aspects of competing in the Junior Botball division at GCER. The students worked to complete individual challenges rather than competing against another team. This approach helped to build friendships between the different teams and allow students to work towards their personal bests. So, not only were elementary students' fingers flying over the keyboards programming in C++ or Python, but participants were also placed in a low stress situation of learning that could be as competitive as students wanted. This was a refreshing experience compared to other student competitions I have participated in as a coach. I look forward to growing my Junior Botball group and school and seeing students walk away from the program with an actual programming language in their tool kit rather than just a drag and drop experience.

Exciting New Year!

The new year brings the continuation and the beginning of several exciting opportunities.  Many of them I have posted about previously, but there a couple of new items.  You may wonder why or how I end up involved in all of these different projects.  The reason is summed up best by a couple of short stories.  I was very excited after our team was accepted into the NASA Microgravity University for Educators.  I was talking with a colleague and stating my surprise at being selected.  She said "You always get it."  My response was quick and accurate, "No, I don't.  But I always apply."  There are so many fantastic opportunities out there for you and your students.  If you start looking for them, you might discover the same thing I did.  It becomes difficult to not apply.

Our team has received more information about our work with NASA's Microgravity University for Educators.  The next three months will fly by as the students prepare the SLED for deployment at the Johnson Space Center in Houston with the assistance of mentors from NASA.

Junior Botball after school groups will be starting up next week.  This will be our first big run through using them.  When we went to the training on the Botballs, we used mini iPads for the programming. The screen size was fine, but it was difficult to type in the code.  We have purchased some bluetooth keyboards that should make it easier for the students.  I will share more with you once we get up and running next week, weather permitting of course.

Next week also brings the start of Idaho TECH Challenge.  This is a STEM competition sponsored by the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium (ISGC). Students in 4th through 6th grades work together as teams to design and construct Mars Rover models out of Lego® and non-Lego components. The teams test their models at an Idaho TECH Engineering Design Competition (EDC), held in Pocatello or Moscow, Idaho.  This is our third year participating.

Our school's makerspace team will be sharing the activities we use during the STEM Matters event at the state capitol on January 24.  We have some student volunteers that will be sharing information and demonstrating for those in attendance.

During winter break, our school received notification that we had been awarded the Wonder Media grant.  This grant covers the cost of equipment, software, and training necessary to engage students with creative writing.  The fourth grade team will be using it with their students, and I will be technical support.

I have also been making travel plans for attending the 2017 NCCE Conference in Portland.  The conference will be held in March.  During registration, I had difficulty choosing my sessions because there are so many amazing options available.  I will be teaching a 3D printing workshop on Wednesday morning of the conference. It will walk participants through the free City X Project curriculum and teach about printing and troubleshooting.  If all goes as planned, participants will be able to take home a clay model and their finished 3D print.

Finally, in May, my two oldest children will be graduating with their undergraduate degrees.  I'm so excited for them to continue their journey and so happy I get to share that moment with them.