The STEM Labs are open for
the start of the 2013/14 school year.
You can hear the buzz coming from the lab not only with the excitement
from the students, but from our BeeBots.
As part of our STEM program here in LASD the students will begin with computational thinking as early as kindergarten. Students will start to learn the early stages of programming and logic. The BeeBots are one way
our K through 2nd grade students will engage in this type of
thinking in the lab and in the classroom.
The students are learning how to give directions to the BeeBot by
programming him to move along the mat.
The BeeBot understands the commands of moving forward, back, left and
right. This little robot can store up to
40 inputs. Along with the programming
the students are learning how to problem-solve by working together as well as
understanding sequencing.
The students have been
practicing their math addition facts in combination with programming the
BeeBot. One example of this math connection
was demonstrated in a recent lesson. The
2nd grade students rolled the dice, added the two numbers and had to
program the BeeBot to move to that location on the mat, rather than simply
counting spaces. The next student needed
to do the same task, but had to start from that location.
Directional language is also
being learned through the BeeBot lessons.
This concept was highlighted when students needed to get the BeeBot
through a maze full of obstacles. If the
BeeBot wasn’t programmed with the right moves he would run into a roadblock and
couldn’t complete his journey through the maze.
The good thing is the students were able to learn through their mistakes
and get back on track.
This little robot is so
engaging and fun for the students they are so eager to learn everything he can
do. He can even dance if you show him
the right moves. This is only one component
of our STEM program. Stay tuned there is
more to come!
Contributed by: Karen Wilson, STEM Coach
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