Panther Proud of the wonderful work in the STEM lab this first week back at school! This week the lab hosted: Ms. Bell's Kinder Cubs, Ms. DiPersio's 1st grade, Mr. Arzola's 2nd grade, Ms. Bailey's 3rd grade, Ms. Giron's 4th grade, and Ms. Lavergne's 5th grade.
stemwk1 from Kimberly Boyce-Quentin on Vimeo.
Kinder is learning basic computer vocabulary, how to log in to the computers, and being introduced to code.org. Parents will receive student account information on Friday so that students may work at home if they choose.
First grade is also reviewing vocabulary and continuing with the coding course they began in Kinder. They are also learning how to sign in to the computers and getting their first taste of the mini MakerSpace!
Second grade is wrapping up Code.org course 1. They are also learning about the use of simple machines in the Marble Run/ Chain Reaction station and solving Fairy Tale design problems such as devising the ultimate wolf-proofed house!
3rd grade is starting work on Code.org Course 2. Their Course 1 work was an excellent preparation as proved by how rapidly they are working through the lessons! They are beginning their simple machines and design explorations with LEGO Dacta sets and assisting Folk Tale characters like John Henry solve their engineering problems.
4th and 5th grade learned all about their Leader In Me campus jobs this week! They are eager to me their bosses next week and get to work! In the lab they completed their first Breakout experience with complete success, built a grabber arm, and got to work on Code.org Course 3!
I am so pleased and proud of our students for making such a strong start! This is clearly going to be a GREAT year!
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Sunday, July 3, 2016
2016-17 STEM Lab Sneak-Peek!
Greetings Panthers and Panther Parents!
I am so excited about the incredible new materials and resources for this year! We will continue to use the Code.org courses and Scratch as our foundation, but I am very pleased to announce that Piney Point has been selected by HISD to take part in a new partnership with Tynker. This will be a tremendous boost to our programming curriculum!
Computer Science is becoming a required subject all across the United States and the world. Several studies have shown that introducing the basic concepts and an understanding of the principles of programming has tremendous benefits for elementary age children. It promotes logic and trains the mind to think analytically, it requires that you revise, edit, and pay careful attention to details, and most of all it teaches persistence!
The programs we use allow a great deal of creative expression and tap into the natural human need to explore and invent. They also allow students to learn at their own pace and encourage collaboration and communication.
Students will be thrilled to apply their coding prowess to the physical world with a wide variety of robots. We have LEGO EV-3, WeDo STEM, Bee Bots, Pro Bots, and brand-new this year - Ozobots. Each of these highly engaging devices creates the perfect mix of programming skills, code language, robotic behavior, deductive reasoning and interactive play!
5th grade students completing the core coursework will be introduced to Tinkercad - a student friendly introduction to 2 and 3-D design. Students successfully mastering this tool will have access to our new 3-D printer.
But the STEM Lab isn't all coding! Students will work collaboratively to solve literature-based engineering challenges, construct Rube Goldberg machines and Great Ball Contraptions, and sharpen their teamwork and problem solving skills with Breakout EDU boxes!
It is going to be an amazing year!
I am so excited about the incredible new materials and resources for this year! We will continue to use the Code.org courses and Scratch as our foundation, but I am very pleased to announce that Piney Point has been selected by HISD to take part in a new partnership with Tynker. This will be a tremendous boost to our programming curriculum!
Computer Science is becoming a required subject all across the United States and the world. Several studies have shown that introducing the basic concepts and an understanding of the principles of programming has tremendous benefits for elementary age children. It promotes logic and trains the mind to think analytically, it requires that you revise, edit, and pay careful attention to details, and most of all it teaches persistence!
The programs we use allow a great deal of creative expression and tap into the natural human need to explore and invent. They also allow students to learn at their own pace and encourage collaboration and communication.
Students will be thrilled to apply their coding prowess to the physical world with a wide variety of robots. We have LEGO EV-3, WeDo STEM, Bee Bots, Pro Bots, and brand-new this year - Ozobots. Each of these highly engaging devices creates the perfect mix of programming skills, code language, robotic behavior, deductive reasoning and interactive play!
5th grade students completing the core coursework will be introduced to Tinkercad - a student friendly introduction to 2 and 3-D design. Students successfully mastering this tool will have access to our new 3-D printer.
But the STEM Lab isn't all coding! Students will work collaboratively to solve literature-based engineering challenges, construct Rube Goldberg machines and Great Ball Contraptions, and sharpen their teamwork and problem solving skills with Breakout EDU boxes!
It is going to be an amazing year!
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Welcome Back!
Greetings Panthers!
Welcome back to Piney Point for school year 2015-16! This is going to be an amazing year for learning, growing, exploring, and creating! I am so pleased to be bringing everyone to the STEM lab this year to experience coding with Code.org, exploring simple machines and basic physics with LEGO Education sets, programming with Bee Bots and LEGO WeDo, and a whole unit on Rube Goldberg machines.
I hope you are all ready to imagine, innovate, explore, and create! We'll see you soon!
K. Boyce
Welcome back to Piney Point for school year 2015-16! This is going to be an amazing year for learning, growing, exploring, and creating! I am so pleased to be bringing everyone to the STEM lab this year to experience coding with Code.org, exploring simple machines and basic physics with LEGO Education sets, programming with Bee Bots and LEGO WeDo, and a whole unit on Rube Goldberg machines.
I hope you are all ready to imagine, innovate, explore, and create! We'll see you soon!
K. Boyce
Monday, January 6, 2014
Welcome Back!
Best wishes to all for health, happiness, and many new learning adventures in 2014. Our Winter Celebration was a big success! Please click the link "Holiday Party" under the weekly wrap-up to see the magnificent candy creations. Many thanks to all for their generous support of our project.
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