Students in Mrs. Grave’s science classes create Pic Collages about the Solar System. Check them out!
Author Archives: Tina Coffey
Spacecraft 3D
Mrs. Grave’s class explored the app Spacecraft 3D while studying the solar system. They had a blast landing NASA spacecraft in the classroom (thanks to Augmented Reality).
The Art of Tinkering
I’ve spent Winter Break devouring the book, The Art of Tinkering. It was created by Tinkering Studio at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. The book description is this:
The Art of Tinkering is a celebration of a whole new way to learn by thinking with your hands, working with readily available materials, getting your hands dirty, and, yes, sometimes failing and bouncing back from getting stuck. The Art of Tinkering offers a fascinating portrait of today’s maker scene, as well as beginner activities for you to try on your own. Make circuits out of playdough, film a time-lapse movie, fuse plastics into beautiful fabric, and much, much more.
Even the book itself can be hacked!
I can’t wait to incorporate some of these activities into our Makerspace programs. If you are interesting in the Making/Tinkering movement, check it out!
Hour of Code
Dec.8-14 is Computer Science Education Week. Celebrate by participating in the Hour of Code! It’s free and easy!
VASCD Presentations
Meg Swecker and I presented at VASCD on Augmented Reality. Here’s our presentation:
You can download other files from our presentation here:
VASCD AR Dropbox Folder
VASCD AR Dropbox Folder
Alisa Downey and I presented at VASCD on STEM and PBL in the Differentiated Classroom. Here’s our presentation:
You can check out our blog here:
STEM Crazy Teachers
Spheros
The Oak Grove faculty was introduced to the school’s Makerspace at the faculty meeting last week. The project is still in the setup and learning phase, especially with the large influx of materials coming in. Part of my role in the project is to learn to use the new equipment and to explore uses for it that align with curriculum and STEM principles. The first piece of equipment that I’d like to introduce is our set of 5 Spheros. These are robotic balls that can be controlled and programed with iPad apps. They are great for real-life application of math skills, especially problem solving. One app, Drive N’ Draw, is a very simple app that can be used by younger students (even K and 1) with ease. Another app, Macrolab, allows older students to write simple programs that make the balls move in different directions, at different speeds, and with different colors. Changing speeds and colors requires division and percentages, and creating shapes allows students to practice lines and angles and other geometric principles. There’s a lot of math involved, and is appropriate for 4th and 5th graders. You can learn more here: http://www.gosphero.com/education/
3D Printed Ornament Challenge
Fourth Graders at Oak Grove Elementary participated in the White House’s 3D Printed Ornament Challenge. Check out the description of the contest:
When you’ve got a big house to decorate for the holidays, advanced planning is wise. So naturally, the White House is already thinking about this year’s holiday decor, and we’re going to help them deck their halls. Instructables is excited to partner with the Smithsonian and the White House in this 3D Printed Ornament Challenge. Some of the winners of this challenge will have their work printed and hung in the East Wing of the White House during the holiday season. Additionally, those selected to be displayed at the White House will be featured on the Smithsonian’s state of the art 3D data platform, 3d.si.edu and will join a small collection of White House ornaments in the political history division of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
Check out our students’ Instructables and pictures which document the process from start to finish!
Click here to see the USA Holiday Ornament Instructable
Click here to see the O’ America the Beatiful Flag Instructable
Spookely STEM Project
Kindergarteners in Mrs. Kelley’s class created pumpkins (with moving parts) after listening to the story, Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Then students used the app, Story Kit, to take their own picture and record their voices naming and describing their pumpkin.
Their final creations are below! Turn up your volume and take a listen!