General Information

Rationale for Teaching STEM

Teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in primary schools is driven by several key rationales that recognize the importance of these subjects in preparing students for the challenges of the modern world. Here are some key reasons:

• Foundation for Future Learning: STEM subjects provide a strong foundation for various disciplines and are essential for understanding the world around us. Early exposure to these subjects helps build a solid knowledge base that can be expanded upon in later years. The modern world demands skills like adaptability, communication, and resilience, which are cultivated through problem-solving approaches in STEM.

• Problem-Solving Skills: STEM education fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students learn to analyze problems, break them down into manageable parts, and develop solutions. These skills are valuable not only in STEM-related fields but also in many other aspects of life.

• Critical Thinking Development:
  Problem-solving is central to critical thinking, a key skill in STEM. Encouraging students to tackle open-ended or complex problems helps them analyze situations, evaluate potential solutions, and make reasoned decisions.

• Inquiry-Based Learning:
  Problem-solving often involves hands-on activities like building models, conducting experiments, or writing code. This active engagement not only enhances understanding but also makes learning more enjoyable and memorable. STEM subjects thrive on inquiry, experimentation, and discovery. A problem-solving approach fits naturally with this, as students explore, hypothesize, test, and iterate to find solutions. 

• Innovation and Creativity: STEM education encourages creativity and innovation. By engaging in hands-on, inquiry-based learning, students are better equipped to think creatively and apply their knowledge to real-world situations. Problem-solving in STEM builds skills like logical reasoning, collaboration, and creativity, which are valuable beyond the classroom. These skills prepare students for a wide range of careers and life challenges. STEM education aims to foster innovation. By engaging students in solving real problems, they learn to think outside the box and develop new ideas or technologies, aligning with the entrepreneurial spirit of STEM fields

• Preparation for the Workforce: In the 21st century, many jobs require a strong foundation in STEM subjects. Teaching these skills early on prepares students for future careers in fields such as technology, engineering, healthcare, and more. It helps them become competitive in the global job market.

• Technological Literacy: In an increasingly technology-driven world, it is crucial for students to be technologically literate. STEM education helps students understand and navigate the technologies that are an integral part of daily life.

• Global Competitiveness: Nations recognize the importance of a strong STEM education system in maintaining global competitiveness. Countries with a well-educated STEM workforce are better positioned to lead in scientific and technological advancements.

• Addressing Societal Challenges: Many of the global challenges we face, such as climate change, healthcare issues, and sustainable development, require solutions rooted in STEM. Teaching STEM in primary schools instils a sense of responsibility and awareness of these challenges.

• Cross-Disciplinary Connections: STEM education emphasises the disconnectedness of the four disciplines, encouraging a holistic approach to problem-solving. This helps students see the relationships between different subjects and understand their relevance in various contexts.
  STEM combines science, technology, engineering, and maths, which often require integration to solve complex challenges. This interdisciplinary nature mirrors real-life problem-solving scenarios, like designing a sustainable energy system, which might involve physics, engineering, and mathematics.

• Early Exposure to Career Options: Introducing STEM concepts early on exposes students to a wide range of potential career paths. This exposure can help them make informed decisions about their academic and career choices as they progress through their education.

Overall, the rationale for teaching STEM in primary schools is centred on preparing students with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed for success in a rapidly changing world, fostering a love for learning, and nurturing the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.

Graham Hastings

Head of  Computing

St John's College School

Cambridge

Project based learning

Robotics buggy - build your own DIY vehicle for coding and robotics projects

A 30 minute video to show the construction of a cheap and simple robotics buggy for home DIY construction and a second version for mass production. 

Total cost of parts for each buggy is less than 40 GBpounds. This includes the cost of a Kitronik compact robotics board and micro:bit small board computer.

Click this link to access a full instructions for manufacture and building the mass production version with ultrasound proximity sensor (optional)

Components:

Flat board or plastic sheet cut to size as the buggy chassis.

A small box to contain the electronic components and battery pack.

x4 AA battery pack.

Kitronik compact robotics board.

BBC micro:bit

x2 200:1 ratio 6volt electric motors.

x2 wheels (to fit the motor stub axel).

A small sphere or plastic bottle top to support the front of the buggy.

Access to a hot glue gun or general purpose glue.

N.B. The chassis components for the buggy in this video were designed for 3D printing and laser cutting for mass production. This is not necessary for one off self building as shown in the pictures below.

Raspberry Pi Pico 2 datasheet

Click this link for technical information.

Raspberry Pi Pico W datasheet

Click this link for technical information.

Off line coding in Thonny

Thonny can run on a Chromebook, but it depends on how your Chromebook is set up. 

Here are the main ways to run Thonny on a Chromebook:

1. Using Linux (Crostini) on Chromebook (Recommended)

Most modern Chromebooks support Linux (Beta), also known as Crostini. You can install Thonny via Linux by following these steps:

1. Enable Linux (Beta) in Chromebook settings.

   • Go to Settings > Advanced > Developers.

   • Turn on Linux development environment (if available).

   • Follow the setup instructions.

Open the Linux terminal and install Thonny:
bash
CopyEdit
sudo apt update

sudo apt install thonny -y

Run Thonny by typing:
bash
CopyEdit
thonny

2. Using Thonny via Flatpak (If APT Version Is Outdated)

If your Chromebook supports Flatpak, you can install a more recent version of Thonny:

bash

CopyEdit

sudo apt install flatpak

flatpak install flathub org.thonny.Thonny

flatpak run org.thonny.Thonny

3. Using a Web-Based Alternative

Thonny does not have an official web version, but you can use a web-based Python IDE like:

• Google Colab

• Replit

• Jupyter Notebook (via Linux)

4. Running Thonny on Chromebook via Android (Not Recommended)

There is no official Android version of Thonny, but you can use other Android Python IDEs like Pydroid 3 from the Play Store.

Would you like help troubleshooting the installation on your Chromebook? 🚀

Thonny for the Raspberry Pi Pico H and Pico W

When coding for the Pico, Thonny has to make a physical connection with the Pico via a com port on the computer and a USB cable. You can connect a Raspberry Pi Pico to a Chromebook and use Thonny to program it, but there are some limitations. Here’s how you can do it:

Option 1: Using Thonny (Linux Mode)

Since Thonny is not available as a Chrome app, you need to install it using Linux (Crostini) on your Chromebook.

Steps to Install Thonny on a Chromebook:

1. Enable Linux on Your Chromebook

   • Go to Settings > Advanced > Developers

   • Turn on Linux development environment and follow the setup.

2. Open the Linux Terminal

   • Search for Terminal in your apps and open it.

3. Install Thonny

Run the following command in the terminal:
sql
CopyEdit
sudo apt update && sudo apt install thonny -y

3. • 
     

   • This will install Thonny on your Chromebook.

4. Connect the Raspberry Pi Pico

   • Hold the BOOTSEL button on the Pico while plugging it into your Chromebook via USB.

   • The Pico should appear as a storage device.

5. Open Thonny and Select the Pico Interpreter

   • Open Thonny from the Linux apps menu.

   • Go to Tools > Options > Interpreter and select MicroPython (Raspberry Pi Pico).

   • Click OK and start coding!

Option 2: Using Online Editors (If Thonny Doesn't Work)

If you can't use Linux apps on your Chromebook, try Web-based IDEs like:

• MicroPython Web Editor

• Google Colab with MicroPython & Pico via USB

Alternatively, if you have a Raspberry Pi computer, it will run Thonny and connect to a pico, so use that.

Off line coding for the micro:bit

Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit does not have an official offline version for Chromebooks. The MakeCode editor is primarily web-based and relies on an internet connection to function. However, there is an offline app for Windows that allows users to program the micro:bit without an internet connection.

On a Chromebook, you can try using Progressive Web App (PWA) mode, which allows limited offline functionality after the page is loaded. To do this:

1. Open MakeCode for micro:bit in Chrome.

2. Click the menu (three dots) in the top right.

3. Select "Install MakeCode" (if prompted) to add it as a PWA.

4. It may allow some offline use, but features like extensions and downloading updates require internet access.

If you need full offline capability, consider using a Windows or macOS computer with the official offline MakeCode app.

Gunnar Lund - micro:bit robotics guru

View his Youtube channel for a collection of fantastic instructional videos.

Watch the video below to access an example - then like and subscribe.

Create your own 5.5 volt power supply as an alternative to expensive batteries

Batteries are expensive and many of the projects on this website rely heavily on them.

You and/or your pupils can create their own 5.5 volt power supply as an alternative to batteries.

Before you begin, you must fully understand the risk of short circuits which, even if working with just 5.5 volts, can generate considerable heat and may cause damage of fusing in the USB supply (laptop, plug socket, etc.).

Resources needed:

• old USB cable

• simple switch

• short lengths of insulated wire

• soldering iron

• shrink wrap or insulating tape

• sharp knife or scissors

• wire strippers

Hackster

Join Hackster to develop and expand your physical computing knowledge and skills.

Follow this link