By: Jeremy Knowlton
A buzz of excited energy built up in the sunlit classroom as Mrs. Knight called the students to circle up on the rug. Each student patiently waited their turn as Mrs. Knight called upon them to share what they designed last time, how it went, and how they’d like to improve on their work. The students shared their successes, strategized on how to build on their failures, and talked about what they want wanted to build today (a “flying helicopter, a car, a treehouse!”) Soon, students were broken up into groups and eagerly digging into their robotics boxes, ready for another STEM adventure with their partner.
Brainstorming with Mrs. Knight
Designing a ride that only operates when a sensor is triggered
My visit to Mrs. Knight’s and Mrs. Morin’s 2nd graders wrapped up a two month collaboration with the goal of getting engaging robotics curriculum into the hands of Ed Fenn students. Mrs. Knight and Mrs. Morin were excited to collaborate and add something new to their STEM curriculum. With WMSI support and coaching, they framed goals, discussed strategy, underwent training, and borrowed robotics kits from WMSI’s lendable library. This project was supported by SAU 20’s larger initiative to evolve the way teachers create, facilitate, and assess projects
A brainstorming tool WMSI and Ed Fenn teachers used to frame this project and begin the coaching process
Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Morin, and I worked to give the students a structure that would emphasize exploration, choice, challenge, and an environment of learning through play. The unit we built together gave the students opportunities to collaborate, iterate on their ideas, deal with failure, be silly, and play their way to some beautiful and useful designs!
At the height of problem solving and play as these students code their helicopter to spin
Students excitedly explain the ins and outs of their draw bridge
Students designed four builds during the unit. They began by exploring guided builds that increased in difficulty and problem solving. Students designed moving bridges, helicopters, treehouses, and amusement park rides. By the end of the unit, students began foraying into their own designs, coming up with innovative new ways to combine motors, sensors, and building blocks to solve problems.
Just a robot and its code
These 2nd grade students will continue to be challenged and play with STEM throughout their time at Ed Fenn and then Gorham Middle High, with engaging science and engineering units waiting at every grade, robotics clubs, a state of the art STEM Lab, and after school programming with WMSI and others. These builds (the first robots these students have ever put together!) will be proceeded by many other engaging adventures in STEM!