Today might be the official start of Computer Science Education Week (CSEd Week); however, ECP students were already engrossed in learning the ABCs and 1,2,3’s of coding last week. To make the lesson even better, their teachers included some of the savviest technologists - Woodland's eighth graders.
The Hour of Code has been part of CSEd Week since the movement began in 2013. Starting last year, the District expanded the Hour of Code program into a multi-month district-wide initiative with students participating in a wide variety of coding activities as either learners or leaders.
On this day at the ECP Woodlands campus building, Pre-K students were divided into two groups, one led by GCSD Technology Support Specialist Ms. Bolton and the other by Woodlands eighth-grade students, to build hands-on coding skills using the programming activities ‘Code-a-pillar’ and ‘Code and Go Robot Mouse’. Both activities introduced concepts such as planning, sequencing, direction, navigation, and incorporating math (counting) and language (vocabulary) skills.
Code-a-pillar is a programmable caterpillar that encourages young learners to explore endless coding possibilities. Guided by Ms. Bolton, students brought the robotic caterpillar to life by clicking each desired component in place to make the caterpillar sing, play a song, flash its lights, or move toward an object. The activity encourages curiosity, independent thinking, experimentation, problem-solving, and strengthening fine motor skills.
Woodlands’ eighth-grade students in Ms. Manne’s computer science class helped ECP students build a maze by hand for Colby the Robot Mouse to find a piece of cheese. The ‘Code and Go’ activity helps to teach students about the robot’s functionality. In teams, the older students gave instructions on how to program Colby where to move to find his way. “I love doing this because I love working with kids,” said eighth-grader Caterina. Her classmate Samantha agreed, “They are so cute.” Hunter, an ECP student, found the activity thrilling. “I like it when the mouse eats the cheese,” he said, smiling. “I pushed the buttons to get him to go in the right direction!”