Past projects 15
What Is Computer Science Without Robots?
Funded Apr 3, 2017This project has significantly impacted my ability to show real world application of programming in my classroom. Until now, our school and students have had no access to robotics due to budgetary constraints. Having the ability to teach and learn from my students how to program a robot to do various tasks like detect sounds, avoid obstacles, and even following light has been so exciting and engaging for us! Because of you, students work in pairs with these robots learning how to create their own codes and debug them when something goes wrong. It is a true computer programming environment! Most days, the students have a specific objective (ex. follow the maze or drive exactly 1 meter then stop) to fulfill and learn how to code. At the end of class, we typically do a competition to see which team has done the task the most effectively and efficiently and they win a prize. My students are so excited each day to participate in this and show off their skills! Every day is a different group who programmed the best so it truly offers equity in our classroom. We are so thankful for these tools to learn more about how robots work and continue to explore potential careers and fascinations!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Jones
Exploring Computer Science Professional Development
Funded Jun 23, 2016My participation in the Exploring Computer Science professional development has led me to enhance my understanding of computer science as well as my instruction in my computer science classroom. I learned about the key concepts of computer science and the major threads of equity, inquiry, and computer science content. I also learned about best practices to teach some difficult content in the field.
The most beneficial part of this professional workshop was meeting my peers who are also struggling with how to best teach computer science to teenagers. I have now formed a network of like minded professionals who can support me and I can support them with concerns and questions we have in our practice.
More specifically, I learned from my peers how to work with a group of students in Scratch programming. I learned a lot about how to effectively do pair programming and even created a new lesson to teach students the roles of driver and navigator. I think my work here will tremendously impact my work in the classroom as I teach my students the basics of computer programming in unit 4 of the ECS curriculum.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Jones
This classroom project was brought to life by Infosys Foundation USA and 4 other donors.Discovering Utility Value in Science
Funded Jul 30, 2015When we received 5 brand new Chromebooks for our classroom, it was extremely exciting for both myself and the students! Typically we can only use the computer lab after school as it's used by other classes during the day, so having access to fast, reliable Chromebooks in our classroom is incredible!
Each group of 4-5 students has a Chromebook assigned to their table and each group has a special log-in and password. It stays at their desks each day and is utilized for a number of purposes. When students have a wondering about something related to the topic (for example, how does cancer actually happen?), a student in the group is able to quickly look up the answer and share with the group or class. As we're in a science classroom, we also use technology to access lots of online resources like virtual cell diagrams to understand what the cell structures look like and how they work. The Chromebooks are also used as a means to get student feedback through discussion prompts or quiz-like games that are projected on the Smartboard and students respond interactively on their group's Chromebook which the students find extremely fun!
This project has broadened the access for all students to have technology as well as allowing us to communicate and work much more efficiently and effectively. Students can find answers to questions they are curious about much faster and more accurately with the Chromebook than they could with textbooks. Also, students are more engaged when they have the ability to use dynamic virtual resources to see scientific ideas and principles represented in easy-to-understand and exciting ways! We are so thankful for this generous donation from you and will continue to use these resources for a long time!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Jones
Conversation Wall
Funded Sep 2, 2015To start the school year off with so many resources to encourage discussion and curiosity amongst my students was amazing. On the first day of classes, I set up our Conversation Wall in the back of the room, labeling our current unit, along with a K-W-L (Know - Want - Learn) chart. Additionally, each group of 4-5 students received a caddy (that stays at their table each day) including markers, post-its, scrap paper, tape, and sharpies. The kids were really excited to have their own group set of resources that they can use throughout the class period each day!
We use our Conversation Wall at 3 different points within each unit. At the beginning of the unit, I ask each student to think of one thing they already know about this topic (or remember learning in a previous class). They write this on a post-it, with their initials, and place it on the KNOW section of the board. Then throughout the unit, I encourage students to write out questions they wonder about within the unit, write them on a post-it note and place in the WANT section for what they want to know. Finally, towards the end of a unit, I have a curiosity day where I give a list of all the questions everyone came up with from the entire grade and ask them to choose one they really are curious about (even if it wasn't the question they initially wrote). They have time to research the answers to their question and then record and share something they learned in the LEARN section. At the end of the unit, students are encouraged use this Conversation Wall to see what their peers have learned about either their own questions or another student's questions as well.
In terms of student growth, this project has significantly impacted their ability to question things and really think about "what if..." with their peers. It also has allowed students across different classrooms to hear questions their peers are curious about and what they've learned. When the students generate their own questions about the topic, they are so much more engaged and excited about finding the answers and then motivated to learn more in science class! Thank you for your generous donation to allow us these experiences in our classroom!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Jones
Projected Scientists In Need
Funded Apr 10, 2006I just wanted to write a little note with a big THANK YOU! You have just made a huge impact in these students' lives! I am so grateful for people like you who understand the importance of how technology can extend learning in the classroom. Not only will my students now be able to present material (via powerpoint) to the class, but the lessons will include more media-focused materials to facilitate an interactive classroom that goes beyond the physical walls. Thank again for your extreme generosity. I look forward to sharing with you the impact this will have on my students.
Sincerely,
Kristi ”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Jones