Project Code

Grade levels

4-7

Description

What do Google, YouTube and NASA all have in common? They all use Python coding technology! Join us in Project Code as we incorporate STEM concepts, computer science and robotics while learning the language of text-based coding, Python. Through unplugged and “plugged-in” mission objectives, we’ll get to explore the world of coding by learning how to program our own Code-X devices so that it can display images like your Apple watch, play songs like Alexa and test your reaction time like Simon. We will also be testing the skills needed to code (sequencing & problem-solving) during our Extended Day field trip to an escape room. This course can be taken a second time, with the understanding that you would be repeating the series of 12 missions from last year. Let’s get coding!

Instructor

Melissa Huffer: I am the Enrichment Facilitator, working with GT/High Potential students at Primary and Lakeside Elementary schools in Chisago Lakes and this will be my 2nd year with Project Seek! I live in Lindstrom with my husband and three boys and we absolutely love family game nights, cheering on the MN United Loons Soccer team, and enjoying all the outdoor adventures that our surrounding area has to offer; my favorites being fall hikes, bonfires and S'mores! I began my career in education over 16 years ago and as a parent and teacher of identified students, strive towards providing engaging, relevant and challenging learning opportunities for all of our students and am so excited to kick off my summer with Project Seek!

Extended Day Plan

Trapped Puzzle Room in St. Paul

*Requires an additional $10 payment to help cover transportation/admission costs.*

Class Updates

June 24 & 25 - Day 9 & 10

It's hard to believe that we're already in our third and final week of Project CODE! You can tell that the students have found their groove and it's amazing how quickly they connect with one another even though we're together for such a short time. They're also more comfortable with asking for crazy things like "coding in the dark" and testing how long I can handle repetitive random meme sound bytes or morse code beeps. Ha! We came to an agreement of 15 minutes of lights off while coding as long as everyone stayed in their chairs, and I have to admit . . . watching some of their light shows that they programmed was as close to a "dance party" as we're gonna get! We continued to unplug with a code drawing challenge and the board/card game Sequence, but I've had the most fun getting sneak peeks at some of the special remixes that they've been making specifically for their family members. It's one thing to get through each mission, but it's another to take that knowledge and make something uniquely their own and we can't wait to share all that we've been doing with you!

June 20 & 21 - Day 7 & 8

Students are continuing to plug away at their missions as our second week together comes to an end. Each day we have purposeful "unplugged" time in which students are engaged in activities away from their screens and while we are actively coding, they are welcomed and encouraged to take brain breaks . . . it oftentimes helps to walk away from something and return to it later. I have come to learn much about each of these kiddos by watching what they choose to do during these brain breaks. Whether it's Extreme dot-to-dot or Square-Up challenges, artistic sketches or LEGO Duplo creations, this is a highly creative and determined group of young people! No matter where their paths lead them, our future is in good hands!

June 18 - Day 6

It's extended/field trip day!!! We were able to unplug for our entire day and instead, put our teamwork and critical thinking skills to the test! The Trapped Puzzle Room in St. Paul welcomed our group and reminded us that it would take "brains, not brawn" to successfully solve each puzzle room challenge. About half of our group had NEVER been in an escape room situation before and yet BOTH of our teams finished with time to spare! Typically we are given 60 minutes to solve the puzzle room challenge and Team Robot Rampage completed with a time of 43:07 and the Heist quickly followed with 48:39. I was so impressed with their overall collaboration, perserverance and positive attitudes throughout the whole experience. Thankfully the weather cooperated and they were able to enjoy an afternoon at the park just being kids!

June 17 - Day 5

We unplugged for a coding challenge today . . . but with a twist! Instead of programming their device to play a song or display an image, they had to code how to make a Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich! We had a few students who admitted that they'd seen a video in class about what to do or NOT to do when completing this activity, so they tried to code step-by-step directions on how to make a flower out of colored bricks instead. Thankfully we were on "clean up duty" after snack time so we left no trace of our sandwich making behind! Several had to go back and "debug" their code to ensure that the bread was placed ON the plate and I'm pretty sure I saw a couple of students eat their sandwich without picking it up. Ha! I should have kept track of how many times I heard someone say, "just use common sense!" This of course, reminded me of one of my favorite programming quotes: "Computers are good at following directions but NOT at reading your mind." I challenge you to do this activity at home with your kiddos whether it's coding how to make a sandwich, emptying the dishwasher or maybe even brushing your teeth! It's amazing how much we do throughout the day without slowing down to think about all the steps taken to accomplish even the simplest of tasks. With how quickly technology is changing, I can appreciate how programming requires an attention to detail and forces us to slow down just for a moment in order to ensure that everything is running smoothly.

Click here to join in on the skibidi fun!

June 14 - DAY 4

Have your young coders been having as much fun as I have!?!? I hope the answer is "YES!" and that they're coming home excited to share some of the Python language that they've been learning, missions they've completed and possibly even things they're curious about now that we've been in the world of coding for a few days. We're not even half-way through our missions and I have been so impressed with their determination and persistence. While they have learned how to code images, lights, text and sounds, these have all been pre-programmed into the CodeX library. It didn't take long before they began to inquire about infinite loops and downloading their own images and sounds! We went "off mission" today as they learned how to switch their CodeX from a "read only" device to a "flash drive" so that they can upload images, songs or sounds of their choosing that they can use when programming their coding re-mix. I thought it was just my kids who have been saying "skibidi toilet" non-stop around the house, so I might have laughed out loud when they figured out how to get their CodeX to join in on the fun! Ha! Be sure to ask what image or picture your young coder is trying to upload onto their device and how they hope to integrate it into one of their missions . . . this is when Mrs. H encourages them ALL to be wearing their headphones. LOL! Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing what coding creations and questions they come up with next week!

June 13 - DAY 3

Although I brought in MANY fun examples of games that use some sort of code/prorgamming to work (like BopIt!, Simon & Oregon Trails to name a few), they were ALL anxious to grab their computers. While they humored me momentarily with the handheld games, they'd all rather be coding! They are all ROCKING it as they continue to wrap up their lightshows and figure out how to code a sleep delay. It's no fun if the light colors change so fast that you can't see each one! Many are moving on to the Display Games and Micro Musician so don't be surprised if you get "Rick Rolled" or hear them humming to the tune of Toto's "Afria" throughout the next couple of weeks. Ha! I think the Code-X screen in the pic says it all! I hope your coders are all having FUN and coming home excited to share some of the new language and skills that they've been learning this week!

June 12 - DAY 2

As predicted, students hit the ground running once they got their hands on their CodeX devices! I have been so impressed with their focus and overall respect of the technology and of each other. I have found their gentle hum of chatter and tippity-tappity on the keys as they work through the missions quite peaceful. When they take a screen break to do their Extreme Dot-to-Dot, you could literally hear a pin drop. What more could a teacher ask for!?!? FiriaLabs has created the CodeSpace Development Environment in which we are completing Missions, checking off the objectives and ultimately learning the Python programming language. While I didn't get any action shots of the kids as they were introduced to their CodeX devices, here's an image of what they'll be working with during our upcoming time together. Be sure to ask your coder what the buttons do, where the lights are and what images they've been able to program onto their screen!

June 11 - DAY 1

As the students were loading onto the bus after class, one commented that, "we didn't get to do ANY coding today!" Ha! I LOVE how eager and excited they are to just jump right in and get started . . . but as I told them right off the bat, sometimes we've got to "go slow to go fast." Today was definitely our "slowest" day as we created our classroom expectations, unplugged with a couple of SEQUENCING activities and then logged into the CodeSpace platform to complete our first Mission with objectives of understanding what the online development environment looks like. Once they get their hands on their Code-X, I may never get their attention back! Until tomorrow, here's a video we watched today as to how "Computer Science is Changing Everything" . . . I have to admit, I'm excited to see how YOUR young coders will change OUR world!

June 7

The countdown is on . . . ONLY 4 MORE SLEEPS until Project Code! I am so excited to introduce you to your Code-X and explore the world of Python Coding with you! We will spend the next few weeks immersed in FiriaLabs missions that help teach us how to code images, songs and games while also taking some time to "unplug" and reinforce our ability to sequence and debug. A couple of things to remember as we get ready to begin:

Bring your wired headphones!!! (Mrs. H LOVES music but not when you're all playing it at once. Ha!)
Bring a snack and your water bottle! (You need to stay hydrated while coding!)
Bring money! (It's fun to support our Strike it Rich friends and see what yummy treats they have to share!)
Bring a postive attitude, be ready for a challenge and to have FUN!!!

I can't wait to see you all NEXT week but until then . . . enjoy these first days of summer and take care!

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