While our older students 3-5 learned to code with Scratch, our younger students K-2 have been learning to code with with blue bots. These students have learned the importance of programming and evaluating their code as they tried to get their blue bots to find the frozen water on the moon.
Learning to Speak Binary
Our students are learning to speak binary using Pixel Art - bringing the S (science) and A (art) together in our STEAM lessons.
We love seeing our students practice coding with Scratch at home!
Using the Scratch program, students created a full set of code to find water on the moon! 🌕
"My dad and I worked on this together and it took a lot of tries but we finally got it!" - Amelia The students did a great job learning to code on Scratch! As promised, we are providing the file that takes you to the original code (below). You can save this code in your Scratch backpack and use it on other projects. You can also add on to the code and see where you can go from here. Have fun coding and learning with SPIKE on the Moon!
This STEAM lesson is all about learning to code with the FREE online coding program from MIT - Scratch. Scratch promotes computational thinking and problem solving skills; creative teaching and learning; self-expression and collaboration; and equity in computing.
Students learned the terminology and practiced using different functions available on the site. They customized a "Sprite" (character), played with changing the backdrop, and even learned how to make their Sprite complete a specific task - drawing a square - utilizing the "loop" function for efficiency. The students picked it up quick and enjoyed making their Sprite move and draw.
Blankner Students are learning about the importance of Computer Science as part of Space Technology. They first learned what technology is, anything that is made by man and solves a problem, and got to practice identifying technology on their iPads and seeing their answers on the big screen. Students then learned how coding involves Data Input, Processing, and Output and how computers need detailed instructions in order to complete a task. They practiced these skills by teaching Sphero, a robotic ball, to follow simple commands.
Bring it home! You can ask your child:
What is technology? (Anything that is made by man and solves a problem)
What are some examples of technology? (iPads, sneakers, utensils, rocket ships)
What does a computer programmer do? (They give directions to computers in order to complete a task)
"You could make it go fast or slow; it can change lights and colors, all the colors that you can imagine." - Emery, 4th grade
MAX GOES TO THE MOON 🌙
Students were introduced to this year's theme, Space & Technology, by listening to the realistic fictional story, Max Goes to the Moon. The students got to travel along with Max using VR goggles!
"I was feeling like I was really there." - Andrew, Kindergarten
What does STEAM mean to Blankner School?
We are going to Think Globally, Act Locally. Blankner Students are given real world problems to solve and think about and they bring those skills and empathy back into our community. At Blankner we use SPIKE, our Engineering Design Process.