New Creations with LittleBits (Tech Club)

Our Tech Club (801 Campus) met on Wed. Feb. 22 and created simple machines using LittleBits. Each table was given a LittleBit kit and a book of ideas. One table made a bubble fan, while another made a mobile marker on wheels. LittleBits is part of our TK6 MakerCart, but this was the first time students used them.

The Raleigh Campus Tech Club meets each month to explore our technology resources for students, under the leadership of Mrs. Tomeka Hartsfield, our Technology Teacher, and Mrs. Carol Gehringer, our Media Coordinator. Last month we met with Mr. Edwards, teacher of the Strategy Games elective, and played with a computer game his students created.

Want to contribute materials to our MakerCarts and LegoCarts? Contact Mrs. Carol Gehringer (cgehringer@gracechristian.net ) or check the latest SignUp Genius to see what we're collecting now.

A 'Bot in Our TK-K Classrooms!

Robots are being used to teach coding and other critical skills in all grades. We are using them this year in our younger grades (Transitional Kindergarten through 1st grade).

I purchased a BeeBot for our MakerCart. My goal was to teach one technology lesson each quarter this year, using the BlueBot and other tools.

I asked our teachers if I could come to their class for a 15-minute lesson in September. I brought my BeeBot and the grid where I placed 4 shapes in 4 colors on the grid. Now I was ready for my first class!

I explained that BeeBot would only where we told him to go. Gathering the children around, I asked the children to code the BeeBot by pressing the directional keys on top of the BeeBot.

Although we didn't have time for everyone to have a turn, they were engaged and loved having BeeBot come to visit their class.

Here Comes The TK6 GRACE Makerspace!

Carol Gehringer, Media Coordinator

Last spring (2016), our Crossroads campus kicked off their Makerspace with the donation of a 3D printer and plans for renovating the Crossroads Library to accommodate Makerspace activities.

What about Makerspace activities on the Raleigh campus? How are TK-6th grade students embracing the Maker movement?

First, let’s recap: What is a Makerspace - and why should we have one at GRACE? The Maker movement in education allows students to have unique learning experiences. A Makerspace is “any space where a student can design, explore, and create using a diverse set of tools and materials” ("Make MakerSpaces Work for Your School"). The Maker movement allows students to be designers, tinkerers, innovators, and creators, to build 21st Century learners with skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.

On GRACE’s Raleigh’s campus, our Makerspace will look different from the Crossroads campus. Instead of a designated space, we will have two MakerCarts, one on each floor with the tools and materials on them.

The MakerCart on the first floor will be geared towards the TK-1st grade students, while the one on the second floor will be geared towards the 2nd-6th graders. Both carts will include tools and materials for fabrication technology, information technology, and coding activities.

This past Friday -- on our second full day of school -- our 3rd graders had their first Maker activity, tied to their summer reading, Humphrey's Really Wheely Racing Day (by Betty G. Birney). Using cardboard boxes, foam noodles, and other materials, the 3rd graders created racetracks and raced each other using matchbox cars.  The students enjoyed it and they worked well together in their teams. 

Before they started their activity, I reminded the students that Thomas Edison failed thousands of time, trying to find the right filament for the light bulb. If he had stopped after his first attempt, we might not have lightbulbs! I encouraged them to try, to tinker, to fail, and to try again.

Well done, 3rd graders! What grade will be the next one to tinker, create, or design?

Read more about the Maker movement in education. 

REFERENCES

1) “Make Makerspaces Work for Your School.” MindBridge Partners. Boston, MA, May 2016.

Reposted from our 21stCenturyGRACE blog.