Week 2

The device that I am using is the Arduino IDE program to code my elegoo UNO R3 board. I am using the controller board, USB cable, joystick module, ULN2003 stepper motor driver board, stepper motor and jumper wires. For this activity I am trying to use the Arduino IDE program to create an output for the stpper motor but something in the code was not working. Even though the sensor lights were coming on the board the stepper motor was not moving. I tried to connect the two so that the joystick module would control the stepper motor by pressing down on the joystick module. I was able to get the joystick module to create output data on the Arduino IDE program to show that it worked. 

1. In my current position I could collaborate with the school that I did my student teaching at or with Denair Unified. I have been collaborating with Denair Unified in connection with the Warrior FabLab as we help develop curriculum for their invention education for their afterschool program. I believe that in order for this collaboration to be successful they would provide us with feedback of how our kits are and how active students are with the materials. 

2. The next steps to in development of a makerspace at the school I did my student teaching at would be to get funding for a makerspace. I believe that the afterschool program director is interested in creating a makerspace and just needs some guidance on getting started. They have a computer lab that is no longer in service and I think that would be the best place for a makerspace. I envision the makerspace being a place for students to have the opportunities to create to their hearts content. I also think that it would be a great place for the teachers to collaborate to bring digital fabrication projects into their classrooms. The space would allow for teachers to sign out materials that they need for their lessons. It would also be open for different classes to go to with support staff to help them implement the digital fabrication into their classrooms. 

3. I think that physical computing and loT have a place in my classroom by making ideas come to life. In kindergarten and 1st grade of the the science standards is what do plants and animals need to survive and I think a great way to show students that plants need water and sunlight would be to create a system that has a sensor that notifies us when there is not enough water, and when there isnt enough light for a plant. Allowing students to see this representation rather than just talking about it would be beneficial for all students.