Past projects 5
Arduinos and Sensors
Funded Jun 19, 2016It is difficult to pique the interest of a certain type of student in computer science classes. Not everyone is really interested in sitting in a chair, typing code, and debugging errors that are created by simply missing a symbol or misspelling a command. There is no doubt that the critical thinking and creative yet logical expression in computer science is important. But it is not hands-on and practical enough to appeal to many students. These electronics kits motivated more students and forced them to learn to learn since the instructions for these projects are not found in any of these textbooks.
This hardware technology unlocks the practical application and physical aspect of computer science. It brought engineering and electronics to otherwise sterile lessons with lines of code and outputs that are limited to a computer screen. In no time at all, students were staying after school or signing out this equipment to extend our curriculum. They found tutorials and online resources and occasionally taught their teacher a thing or two about Arduino boards and physical sensors.
Without a doubt, students who are more hands-on and like kinesthetic learning thrived. We also noticed that younger students (even 7th and 8th graders) sought out our materials when they saw projects of the older students. Those who are good at following video tutorials rather than boring sections of a textbook also enjoyed using those resources.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Minich
Smart Pod Internet of Things
Funded Aug 23, 2015Despite the fact that it does not specifically fit into the curriculum of an existing high school course, the Smart Pod project is motivating students, generating innovative thinking, and serving as a STEM course recruitment tool in our academic community. This successful grant allowed us to broaden the project's reach with additional features. Students are integrating pieces and technology from various companies such as Philips, Belkin, and SmartThings into the system that monitors the home environment. In doing so, they are learning how to connect and bridge rival products together into a more elaborate system than any individual proprietary suite of products currently allows. Those student skills of research, exploration, and testing are difficult to embrace with standard curricular resources.
In addition, the students have found more ways to advertise and demonstrate their successes with the addition of these popular technologies. More and more students are finding a way to gain confidence in their skills with these opportunities at public showcases. For example, they explained how an Amazon Echo is used by giving live demonstrations at a booth they set up on Parent Open House night! Another team of students demonstrated Smart Pod to thousands of attendees at the New York City World Maker Faire. Others are building an app to bring the diagnostic information to customers' smartphones.
This grant has brought excitement to students and the community. It promises to reach hundreds of students over the next few years as the Internet of Things becomes the next revolution in home automation and electronics gadgetry.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Minich
Innovating with littleBits
Funded Jul 3, 2015The littleBits electronics kits and pieces have been used by dozens of students from early elementary grades to high school seniors. In fact, school board members fawned over the pieces when students demonstrated the ease of putting together electrical circuits at a school board meeting! Teachers at three different school district buildings are now planning to purchase and integrate littleBits into their classroom activities because of this initial grant.
This popular, award-winning technology has proved itself in our community. A team of high school students demonstrated the product to hundreds of people at their booth at the 2015 World Maker Faire in New York City. In fact, a littleBits vendor himself visited their booth to see their interactive display and to acknowledge their promotion of his company's product to the 90,000+ Maker Faire attendees.
Over forty students used littleBits and other related technology as part of their three-day exhibit at a local Barnes and Noble Mini-Maker Faire. They guided dozens of youngsters from the community to explore combinations of bits ranging from popular robots to temperature and sound monitors. A number of children surely ended up with littleBit gifts this past Christmas as parents enjoyed seeing their kids play and learn with this great educational toy.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Minich
Quadcopter Pilots
Funded Jun 21, 2014We were able to purchase a quadcopter with our DonorsChoose grant as well as several others with other another grant. My students are very excited. They constantly ask to fly the quadcopter and learn more about how it can be used in the real-world since related articles frequently appear in the news. Dozens of students from 3rd to 12th grade flew our quadcopters over the past few months and some students are doing independent study projects with them.
We attached a GoPro camera to our quadcopter. Now we are able to get awesome perspectives from where we are flying our quadcopter. The GoPro really sparked an interest in quadcopters from my students since video seems to make anything more cool to a teenager.
This project is a really fun project for students. When students are interested in the subject, they are more inclined to pay attention and learn about the technical side of the quadcopter and how it works. Some students received quadcopters as Christmas gifts because of their excitement using them in class. Some are even researching the advanced mathematics and physics behind the operation of quadcopters.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Minich
Wyomissing Area High School 3-D Printer
Funded Jun 9, 2014All of my ninth through twelfth grade students have only praise for their new printer and colorful plastic filament. We purchased many rolls of 3D printer filament and we are using the 3D printer along with several others that we procured separately on a daily basis. The students are amazed at the endless possibilities created by the printer highlighted by many of their current events assignments that explain how 3D printers are being used in the real world.
The 3D printer and several others are set up in the back of the classroom. My students became so intrigued with the printer that they basically taught themselves how to use it and know more than I do about printing 3D objects and trouble-shooting the printer. In fact, a few students were encouraged to build their own Printrbot printer and brought them to school for demonstrations. My upper-level Robotics class students are able to work with the 3D printer on a daily basis for their custom projects. The printer and colors we purchased with the money have actually made the whole school excited. A group of students formed a new technology club that has started selling 3D printed iPhone cases to their peers! We also used the printer to create Christmas tree ornaments for elementary school students at their annual Holiday Craft Bazaar so the printer and filament have literally been viewed by hundreds of students and used by dozens.
My students have become much more interested in learning because of the 3D printer mainly because they can search for designs online and immediately print them! Others have learned CAD software so they can design their very own creations. As for my teaching, I find it easier to communicate my lessons to my students, because we can connect through our admiration of the 3D printer.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Minich