Boyd's Brainiacs

Students learned how to create holographic effects using prisms, ipads and animated gifs.

During the Hour of Code Week, the Brainiacs learned how to code Cue robots. For many this was their first experience coding. They took to the process getting the bots coded, rolling & talking in no time!

In January the group learned the basics for creating green screen videos & photos using the DoInk app. For many this was their first experience with green screen. They had the opportunity to try other alternatives without a screen like construction paper. Did you know you can put your face on someone else's body by using a green sheet with a hole? 

The Brainiacs learned about the principles of 3D printing on Digital Learning Day. They then tested out the 3Doodler tool as they constructed lapel pins. It was a great setup for future learning on 3d printing! 

In March the students tested out and experimented with littleBits. Some remembered previous learning about how circuits work, but this was their first experience building with bits.  They tried various challenges like building a thermometer or creating a light dimmer. All enjoyed trying the littleBits- especially the buzzer which would make loud sounds over, over and over!  

April's session of Boyd's Brainiacs was all about learning how to use sphero robots with coding and driving. They played "Sphero Games" shooting for a hole-in-one on the mini golf course or bowl a strike. This was their first experience using spheros for many of the students, but they got the hang of it quickly! 

Boyd's Brainiacs finished the year out with a fun visit to the Science Museum of Virginia's The Forge makerspace. They created pencils out of tree branches & constructed maker notebooks for future designs & ideas. Of course they loved seeing the exhibits too!