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Name and position of applicant(s) *
Eileen Vaughn
Library Media Specialist
Barnard Academy, Killington Elementary School and The Prosper Valley School
E-mail address of applicant(s) *
Project title *
Teaching Coding in the Physical World
Project Summary *
The Makey Makey is a microprocessor that makes STEM education fun. It is an easy-to-use invention kit. This board becomes a keyboard when connected to a computer (pc, Mac, or Chromebook). The online coding application, Scratch, works with the Makey Makey. Commands can be coded so that a student’s voice (or any sound or action) will be activated when a metal button is pressed.
Project starting date *
As soon as our supplies arrive – before the end of the second marking period (Jan. 3, 2017)
Grant funds requested *
$749.25 (15 kits) + S&H c.$15.00 + brass fasteners $2.30 (100 pack)
Total Cost
$766.55
Budget Details *
15 Makey Makey kits @ $49.95 each = $749.25
Shipping and Handling = $15.00
1 box of 100 brass paper fasteners = $2.30
How many students will benefit from your program? What is the basis for this projection? *
I would hope to reach close to 200 students based on the populations of Barnard Academy, Killington Elementary School and The Prosper Valley School.
I will begin with the upper grade students (3rd – 6th), and then invite younger students and their teachers (1st and 2nd) later in the school year.
Last year I taught a Summer Soak tech class for younger students (1st – 3rd). We had approximately 25 students during the two sessions.
The total for all three of these situations (students in grades 1-6 at KES, BA and TPVS and Summer Soak) comes to 221 children.
Please provide a more detailed narrative describing your proposed project. Include the goals of the program; your plans for continuing beyond the funding period, and why you feel you are qualified to implement the program. *
Our students will first be introduced to how a closed circuit woks. Next they will learn the basics of computer programming using Scratch*. They will then create a program that will connect to the Makey Makey* via USB to their computer. The Makey Makey alligator clips will be connected to brass fasteners on a template created by students. When the fastener is touched, the sound (information) will be heard.
Below is an example of students studying the lifecycle of the butterfly:
· students find/create a template of the lifecycle of the butterfly
· brass fasteners are inserted onto each of the 4 stages of the lifecycle
· students use Scratch to record their voice
· students use Scratch to program when the audio recording will play (when the up, down, left…arrow is clicked)
· when the brass fastener is pressed, the correct recording is heard
Here is a link to the Scratch component that I created as an example: butterfly life cycle
During these lessons, students have learned how to code, and have connected their project to their curriculum. The final product will be shared with classmates. It could also be shared with others in the district, or with the Scratch online community.
Below are a few more ideas that could be done using the Makey Makey and Scratch in the classroom:
math vocabulary
book genres
musical genres
weather cycle
all about me
my trip to the XXXXX
the 5 senses
stories about famous paintings
continents
book reports
animal reports
showing kindness, respect, responsibility
As a library media specialist, one of my goals is to work with teachers to integrate technology into the classroom curriculum. This proposal gives me a chance to introduce inventive technology to students. It will allow students to find new ways to express themselves, and interesting ways to communicate their new learning in the classroom. All children will see how a closed circuit works, and how hardware (the Makey Makey and the computer) and software (the Scratch program) work together.
* Scratch is a free visual programming language that was developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Scratch is used by students, scholars, teachers, and parents to easily create animations, games, etc. and provide a stepping stone to the more advanced world of computer programming.
Makey Makey is an invention kit for the 21st century. It turns everyday objects into touchpads and combines them with the Internet. It's a simple Invention Kit for Beginners and Experts doing art, engineering, and everything inbetween.
Please describe how this project will move forward if it receives no funding, or only partial funding from the WUHS Endowment Association.
If we buy fewer devices, then more students will need to team up when working on their projects. Collaboration can be beneficial, but the 1:1 experience, especially for the older students, allows for more differentiation and exploration. If we do not receive the grant at all, I will see if there is money in my school budget for this “extra” device.
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