I’ve developed a new STEM-based teacher training workshop for the 2020-2021 school year entitled “Screen-Free Coding for Young Children.” During this training, participants will be introduced to the importance of incorporating coding in early childhood. Participants will be introduced to a wide array of affordable screen-free coding gadgets and toys as well as floor games to use when introducing young children to the foundational principles of coding. Some of the gadgets include Botley the Coding Robot, Code-N-Go Mouse, Fisher-Price Code-A-Pillar, Bee-Bot, Ozobot, Coding Critters, The Learning Journey Coding Ladybug, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to use all the coding gadgets as they undertake coding and engineering challenges throughout the training. The one to two-day training has been designed for early childhood through grade 2. Coding is a basic literacy in the digital age, and it’s important for children to understand and be able to work with and understand the technology around them. Having children learn coding at a young age prepares them for the future. Coding helps children develop and strengthen all the 21st-century skills critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. The majority of the research has shown that young children should have minimal screen time prior to upper elementary years thus introducing young children to the foundational principles of coding using screen-free devices, games, and other manipulatives are effective teaching and learning strategies. Check out the following video of children and teachers I have worked with using a few screen-free coding gadgets. For more information about the STEM trainings I conduct or to schedule a training please complete the Contact Form found on the Contact Page.
Tag: ozobot
Top STEM Toys To Introduce Kids to Coding
Just in time for Computer Science Education Week December 4th-10th, 2017 and Christmas, here’s a list of the top STEM toys that introduce and reinforce coding for toddlers to teens. The following STEM-based toys are a great choice for introducing kids of all ages to coding, as well as developing coding skills. The following toys are great for at home use, and within K-12 classrooms. For more information about incorporating STEM and tech toys into the K-12 classroom contact STEM Education Consultant, Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski via the contact page on this site. Diana conducts STEM, STEAM, MakerEd, and NGSS professional staff development worldwide, year-round. Osmo ALEX Toys Future Coders Cube Stackers Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set by Learning Resources Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-A-Pillar Dash and Dot by Wonder Workshop Ozobot Sphero WoWWee Elmoji SmartGurlz Siggy Scooter with Doll Kibo Puzzlets Primo Toys Cubetto Code Monkey Island Robot Turtles Cubelets Robot Construction for Kids Hasbro FurReal Makers Proto Max Jewelbots Code Master
Washington Teachers Explore STEM and MakerEd Challenges During Teacher Training Workshop
I recently had the pleasure of sharing my knowledge and expertise of STEM and MakerEd strategies with elementary and middle school teachers in Washington. During the two day training teachers were introduced to the engineering design process, incorporating lessons that develop and strengthen 21st century skills, the design cycle, and methods/strategies to incorporate Makerspaces within their school library and classrooms. During the two-day training teachers were given the engineering design challenge of designing a roller coaster marble run using recycled materials, designing and creating a vehicle that was powered by air, using recycled materials, as well as designing and building a Vibrobot. Teachers were introduced to strategies on incorporating a Makerspace within their library, as well as ideas for Maker Centers within their classrooms. Teachers were introduced to a wide-array of technology, tools and kits that are commonly used in school library and classroom Makerspaces such as: Makey Makey, Snap Circuits, LittleBits, Makedo, Ozobot, Fisher Price Code-A-Pillar, Squishy Circuits and more. Additionally, teachers were introduced to incorporating tinkering/ take-apart centers within their Makerspaces. Teachers were given the task of analyzing a toy or household gadget with their group, they were then asked to take the gadget apart. They were to identify and label the parts etc. The components from the deconstructed broken gadgets can be used to create new gadgets and inventions, or used to repair similar gadgets. Students of all ages love to tinker, and I find that adults love to tinker and take part in deconstructing gadgets as well. The process of tinkering, and deconstructing gadgets indeed develops and strengthens 21st century skills, and incorporates science and engineering practices. The following photos are a sample of the STEM and Maker Explorations that were conducted during the two day STEM and MakerEd teacher training workshop. To schedule a STEM, MakerEd, or NGSS teacher training workshop complete the contact form found on the contact page.