As stated before, we will be working loosely off the AKERA model, which includes simultaneous “centers” comprised of 5-10 children (and their instructors), each focused on different areas. The children will rotate through centers throughout the length of the program.
In all centers, the teacher, along with assistants and peers, will carefully monitor and assist the children. The main teacher will handle difficult parts.We have four proposed centers:Basic Electronics and Robot Building Center· Describe electrons and electronic circuits using simple analogies such as lightning and static electricity.
· Discuss how electricity powers up toys, games, and computers.
· Role playing: the children will pretend to be electrons in various roles: basic circuit, battery, light bulb path.
· Using LEDS and batteries (CR2025), build circuitry and some wires to be able to make light displays.
· “Light Paint” with the work from the previous step, motors, and digital cameras. The children can make various pictures and scenarios (underwater, animals, etc)
A small substation will include the Robot Building Center:
· The kids will help cut wires and insert parts and help assemble the robot.
· Edwards Elementary will keep the working robot.
Computer Hardware
Kids will take apart a PC computer and learn the inner workings. They will physically take out and then replace digital boards (video and sound cards) in an IBM desktop.
Kids will:
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learn about different parts of the computer
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learn about the CPU and why it has a large fan on it.
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learn what a hard drive and CD player are
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handle ‘memory’ and place it in the computer
We hope that, as kids explore the inside of a computer, the technology will appear less mysterious, so intimidation will not be a learning obstacle in the future for computer devices.
Digital Expression
We will store on USB drives three programs. All three programs run on both Mac and Windows and are freely available. Thus, our hope is that kids can explore and create with these tools long after the program is completed. The kids can keep the flash drives.
Inkscape: A graphics editor similar to Adobe Illustrator
TuxPaint: A drawing software for children
KompoZer: A webpage authoring system with easy editing capabilities for webpages
Some sample objectives:
· Compare and contrast digital and “old fashioned) (paper and pencil) drawing.
· Create content on the role of science in daily life.
· Construct simple web pages. No personal information will be displayed on outward facing pages. We are exploring the possibility of inward facing pages (accessible only inside the campus).
Additional Administration Concerns
To participate in the program, all children (both students and peers) will need their parents to sign waiver forms. Additional permission will be needed for photography/video.
Project Description-Anticipated Outcomes
See previous sections for anticipated benefits and center specific objectives.
In an attempt to measure educational efficiency, tech exposure, and the impacts on these student’s daily lives (although these things can be intrinsically difficult to quantify) we will provide students with a basic questionnaire, looking at both measurably competency and their perceptions of their own competency and exposures.
Some sample questions are listed below, that would be asked both before, a midpoint (after 3 sessions), and after final participation in the program:
1. Have you ever been able to work on a robot?
2. Do you think you could make a webpage?
3. Do you think you understand electricity?
4. Name 5 things around your house that use electricity.
5. Have you seen the inside of a computer? Can you descibe how one works?
6. What is a USB? How do you use one?
In addition:
- Students will rank their experience by how much they felt they learned.
- Peer mentors will be surveyed for insights.
- Educators will record progress and perceptions at all three points of the program (beginning, middle, and end)
- Dr Monson, chair of the school board, will review the website to ensure that they can be put on the external webpage.
- Other education officials will be ask to observe and evaluate the effectiveness of the program.