Notes from Middle School classes

We've had some fun, exciting classes in Middle School classes, lately.  For two weeks, we learned how to create exciting Power Point presentations.  We learned how to add pictures, text, transition effects and sounds, animate objects, and add colors and designs to our slides.  Students created some very nice presentations, and really enjoyed sharing with their classmates.

Middle school students are now doing some voice recording and mixing.  Students in years 1-3 are creating a "radio program" in conjunction with their current Social Studies reports on events of the 1940s.  Students will record their voices announcing "breaking news", and then insert it into the middle of a 1940s radio program.  Their recordings also include an advertisement for an item invented in the time period that students wrote in  English class.

Students in Seminar are recording and mixing their own podcasts (informal, informational sound or video files) about a topic of their choice.  Topics include how to dance, using technology, successfully avoiding zombie attack, funny Harry Potter jokes, the cheese cast, and how to win a video game. These projects should be completed within a week or so.  (Students leaving for Bolivia will be able to contribute sound recordings, and their partners will handle the mixing.)

I hope all the students are enjoying using the computer to create and edit sound files!

New Robot Challenge

Hello!  

Unfortunately, no one found the answer to the first "Name that Bot!" Challenge.  The robot in the picture was the "LifeHand" robot.  This robot made waves in the medical community when it was attached to an amputee and could be moved via "thought" and send touch information back to the brain!   

See more:   http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2009/12/02/tech-robot-hand-mind-control.html

There is a new robot picture up on the window!  I'll give you all a hint: it is a commercially available robot for use in office environments, for telecommuting.

Anyone who thinks they know the answer, just let me know!  

Robot Challenge and News

I have posted some new things on the windows in front of the Computer Lab!  

One is a "Name that Bot!" Challenge.  Think you can figure out what robot that is in the picture?  Submit your answers to me!  Everyone who gets it right gets a small prize.  Every now and then, expect to see a new "Name that Bot!" Challenge waiting in the window! 

Also, I'll be posting news, articles, and information of interest to robot lovers.  Right now come by to read an article about a fascinating new robot hand that is moved by the brain, and a history of automatons (like the one in the hit movie, Hugo!)  

Photos by Lower Elementary Students

Students in Beth's and Tulie's classes went outside and took pictures this week.  We used the Fisher Price Kid Tough cameras.  Students first learned about camera safety and use, and were given some tips to help photos come out great.  I think this is a group of natural photographers!  Here is a sampling of their amazing work:

Welcome back!

Hello, all!  I hope everyone had a relaxing, fun Winter Break!  I certainly enjoyed mine!  (It included a trip to Orlando, Florida!)

Now that we're back, here's some of what we're doing in the computer lab this week:

• Middle school classes are starting the new year with a "how-to" review.  We are going over how to create and format documents for assignments, save files, and use certain most-used aspects of our Gaggle accounts (digital locker, dropbox, and email).  We are also learning about Twitter, and planning a new way to communicate our school activities and ideas to you! 
• Upper elementary students will be doing two different activities.  Students in Betsy's class will be completing their prototype activities and drawings in Google Sketch-up, while students in Kim's class will be creating an animated GIF file that depicts something they've learned about in their Social Studies classes. 
• Middle elementary students are starting on Power Point presentations this week.  Students in Emily's class are working on a presentation about their favorite birds, while students in Keri's class will create a presentation about their favorite dinosaurs.  Students will be able to add pictures, text, sounds and movement to their presentations! 
• Students in Lower Elementary classes did fun, educational activities in the lab on Monday afternoon, including playing games from PBSKids and NickJr, and reading books using the Tag Readers.  Next week we will be using kid-friendly drawing software, Pixie, to create our very own bear pictures!

Advanced Robotics - more pictures!

In my earlier post, I included pictures of the students at work.  Here are the robots that they made:

Declan built and programmed this rolling grabber.  

This robot was built by Cecilia, David and Declan.  

Cecilia successfully programmed the robot to avoid obstacles, detect colors,  and grab and move an object.  

This is the robot Garrett and Lane built and programmed. 

This robot moves and turns on three wheels.  When the grabber is attached on the side, it can grab objects. 

This robot was built by Christopher, Everett and Liam.  

Liam successfully programmed this robot to move around, avoid objects, and grab and move objects. 

David built this device.  This brick-less grabber uses two motors and a hand crank to turn and grab objects. 

David built this awesome machine.  The motors communicate via the wire, so it turns and grabs at the same time. 

Advanced Robotics - pictures!

For the last two Fridays, we've been working in a brand-new Friday Group - Advanced Robotics!  In order to be eligible, students must complete the beginner course, so these are dedicated engineers.

Our first two weeks consisted of review challenges.  Our robots had varying designs and students were very successful in building and programming their robots to complete challenges.  Here are some pictures of our students at work: