Team C (4th)

We will be studying the forces that affect a moving object, then using our knowledge to build, test, and race LEGO derby cars! 

We will go through 4 challenges during this rotation.

• Fastest Car

• Slowest Car

• Fastest car only using 12 bricks

• Championship Fastest Car wins using as many bricks as you want

In order to form a race team and to participate in the races you must be able to define/explain ALL of the following terms:

Chassis

Friction

Contact Force

Balanced force 

Noncontact Force

Magnetism 

Gravity

Air resistance

Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy

In December your student(s) will be participating in an Hour of Code during their STEM/Technology rotation.  What is the Hour of Code?  The Hour of Code started out as a one-hour introduction to coding and computer science designed to show that anyone can learn the basics of coding and become interested in the field of computer science.  The Hour of Code has turned into more than that.  It has turned into a worldwide effort to give every student a chance to learn coding and computer science.  Imagine the impact we can have if the hands kids use to navigate apps and play video games are the ones designing them too!   With technology changing every industry on the planet, computing knowledge has become part of a well-rounded skill set.  When young children have the opportunity to be more than consumers of technology, they can create new technologies and solutions to change the world. 

So, Hour of Code officially starts on December 4th, 2023 and your students will be participating in their STEM/Technology EnCORE class, but the Hour of Code is not just for students.  Anyone can participate.  Set aside 1 hour and be a part of an Hour of Learning with your student.  This can take place anytime from December 6-12.  Don't worry if you miss it, you can take part even after the week is done.  Over 100 million students worldwide have tried an Hour of Code, and we want to continue encouraging everyone in our community to engage with computer science and coding.

• hourofcode.com

The Strawbees STEAM kits provide students with a complete solution for hands-on design, engineering, and programming. They're comprised of reusable and recyclable straws and connectors that fit together and allow students to build structures, mechanical contraptions, and robotic mechanisms. Among other real-world learning benefits, these creative construction sets help students develop key invention literacies and see what it's like to build a Strawbees project with ease. 

Coding with Strawbees includes using a Mico:bit microcontroller and blockly coding.   Student can connect their motors and servos to any creation they make.   

Team C students will be discussing Digital Citizenship and working in basic Scratch Programming.  Digital Citizenship is very important and is taught throughout the school year, but time is dedicated to talking about Digital Citizenship, caring for school and home technology equipment, and developing a basic level of Scratch Programming for their Scratch Programming Project in Rotation #3.  Check out Scratch for coding and Interland:  Be Internet Awesome as a resource for the Gamification of Digital Citizenship.

• How do digital citizens take responsibility for themselves, their communities, and their world?

• How can a strong password help protect your privacy?

• How does what I post online affect my identity and others?

• What makes a strong online community?

• How can we be upstanders when we see cyberbullying?

• Why do people alter digital photos and videos?