SRI&ETTC

So many of our makers love to create 3D paper flowers. With quilling tools running about $7-$10 a pop, it can get expensive if you want your whole class to make flowers at the same time. Our quilling tool hack is in the video below...get making! Another problem encountered during 3D flower making is burnt fingers from the glue gun.  We have seen these on Amazon, if anyone knows of a less expensive hack, let us know, we will post it! Come to a MakerSpace Monday and learn more hacks...

Computer Science Education Week ( CSEdWeek ) is an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in computer science. Jennifer Bernardini's 5th-grade class and STEAM Club students and the 7th-graders from William Davies Middle School were very enthusiastic participants this week! 5th Grade students analyzed a novel with a plot pyramid, and used Ozobots to trace the plot pyramid and tell the story! STEAM Club students participated in the Hour of Code with Code.org Dance Party. First, we coded, then we partied! Not only does computer science provide every student foundational knowledge, but it also leads to the fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. economy. William Horner's 7th-grade class also brought the CS Ed Week excitement to their Lego town Ozobot Project in the Hamilton Township School District.

Assessing Microbit Programs and Grading in Google Classroom is easy if you have your students use the add file option in the "turn in" portion of Google Classroom. Teachers can grade if they download the student's hex files and import them into the Makecode.microbit.org simulator. Import student files! Watch this helpful video if you have any questions. Kim Mattina ( @The_Tech_Lady ) shows you how to get it done! Another solution is to have your students screencast their simulations and submit their video files.  Either way, these performance-based assessments are super-engaging!

Guest Post by   Jennifer Bernardini, Stockton College MAED Class of 2008 Amazinators, LLC is on a mission: Bringing STEAM to the Jersey Shore.  For a week or two each summer, we throw away grades, assessments, and homework for authentic learning. Offering our programs in the summer creates a valuable learning experience for children through play, collaboration, critical thinking, and research! The statistics and job requirements for the future all indicate that our children need to learn HOW to learn, practice problem solving, and need exposure to spark the interests that can one day pave the way to successful careers. Amazinators : Gina Wenzel, Jennifer Bernardini, and Cindy O’Kane All great programs for kids have an x-factor.  Cindy O’Kane, Gina Wenzel, and I have a combined 51 years of teaching experience across all curriculum areas. Between the children and the instructors, we all share one thing in common- a passion for learning.  As co-owners...

Guest Post by Dustin Rauenzahn of Upper Township Primary School in New Jersey  @ MrRauenzahn Kindergarten, First & Second Grade students  built wind-powered Lego cars. We discussed how the shape, size, and weight affect how the car would travel. Then, students worked in teams to build their very own Lego car complete with sail (s) . We used straws, index cards, and tape to make the sails. Groups planned, built, tested & improved their designs to create the perfect wind-powered car! Students placed their car in front of a fan to see how many feet the car could travel using only wind power. Partners then went back to improve their design and see if they could get the car to go farther during the next test session.

Guest Post by Ian Matty  The Mountain Lakes Makers Club @ the Mountain Lakes Public Library is a community makerspace whose mission is to provide maker education opportunities to all students.  We have found much success combining different types of maker technology (robotics, programming, 3d printing) with the arts, science, literature, and nature.  We focus on how robotics and programming are collaborative with all subject areas and not an independent discipline.  Building on the philosophy that all kids – even preschoolers – can benefit from maker education’s interdisciplinary approach, I worked with six educators from Hong Kong, Cyprus, Nigeria, Ohio, and Pittsburgh to develop the #ExploreEarthEveryday Global Makeathon.  The idea is simple.  Kids love nature.  Nature is very important.  How can we combine nature with robotics so kids can have a deeper sense of learning about their environment?  The makeathon approach allows stu...