2019 Coding Camp |
Click here to view pictures from the 2019 Technology Camp |
Day 1 - Intro to Coding
Coding with Ozobots
Students practiced coding a miniature robot called an Ozobot by drawing lines. The Ozobots senses the lines, and, depending on what is drawn, performs a certain way. Campers first practiced drawing their lines and corners the correct thickness and angle, then they began drawing color codes to make their robot do tricks. This introduced students to the idea that robots, and other machines, can be coded to perform a variety of tasks, however, these robots are really only as smart as the person coding them. The Ozobot only ever performed in the way they were coded. At the end of the lesson, students wrote their names and chose at least three commands/tricks they felt represented themselves. These codes had to be put into the Ozobot's path in some way. Students then recorded their Ozobot traveling the path. You can view these videos by clicking here.
Students practiced coding a miniature robot called an Ozobot by drawing lines. The Ozobots senses the lines, and, depending on what is drawn, performs a certain way. Campers first practiced drawing their lines and corners the correct thickness and angle, then they began drawing color codes to make their robot do tricks. This introduced students to the idea that robots, and other machines, can be coded to perform a variety of tasks, however, these robots are really only as smart as the person coding them. The Ozobot only ever performed in the way they were coded. At the end of the lesson, students wrote their names and chose at least three commands/tricks they felt represented themselves. These codes had to be put into the Ozobot's path in some way. Students then recorded their Ozobot traveling the path. You can view these videos by clicking here.
Minecraft Tutorial and Survival World
Most of our campers are very proficient at Minecraft! They are typically not used to playing it on a computer, however. The controls are a little different, as is what's available in the Minecraft: Education Edition, so we always begin each camp with some time in the built-in tutorial. After about a half-hour, we all went into the same survival world. It's always so interesting to see 20 kids play together in one virtual world! They soon form teams and mostly get along. My favorite part of playing Minecraft along with students is that they are definitely the experts. I am constantly asking questions and getting them to help me out.
Most of our campers are very proficient at Minecraft! They are typically not used to playing it on a computer, however. The controls are a little different, as is what's available in the Minecraft: Education Edition, so we always begin each camp with some time in the built-in tutorial. After about a half-hour, we all went into the same survival world. It's always so interesting to see 20 kids play together in one virtual world! They soon form teams and mostly get along. My favorite part of playing Minecraft along with students is that they are definitely the experts. I am constantly asking questions and getting them to help me out.
Blogging
Every morning and each afternoon, we spend some time reflecting and writing. Students must complete a question on a Padlet wall (I put up a new one each day) as they come into the classroom. They also have the ability to respond to others' comments. At the end of the day, students blog about what they did and learned that day. You can view each camper's blog by scrolling to the bottom of this page.
Every morning and each afternoon, we spend some time reflecting and writing. Students must complete a question on a Padlet wall (I put up a new one each day) as they come into the classroom. They also have the ability to respond to others' comments. At the end of the day, students blog about what they did and learned that day. You can view each camper's blog by scrolling to the bottom of this page.
Day 2 - Block-Based Coding
CoSpaces
We started Day 2 by allowing students to create their dream space in CoSpaces. Students were able to view their completed worlds through a set of virtual reality goggles. Students learned how to change their environment and add and animate objects.
We started Day 2 by allowing students to create their dream space in CoSpaces. Students were able to view their completed worlds through a set of virtual reality goggles. Students learned how to change their environment and add and animate objects.
Blockly
To introduce students to block-based coding, we broke them into two groups. One group chose a game off of Hour of Code (Minecraft, Dance Party, or Frozen) while the other solved a series of mazes that were scaffolded to get increasingly more difficult.
To introduce students to block-based coding, we broke them into two groups. One group chose a game off of Hour of Code (Minecraft, Dance Party, or Frozen) while the other solved a series of mazes that were scaffolded to get increasingly more difficult.
Minecraft
Students went through the Code Builder Tutorial to learn how to code their agents to do certain tasks. Next, students played in survival mode. Many students used their agents in survival mode as well. Minecraft: Education Edition's code builder commands can either be coded in Blockly or JavaScript.
Students went through the Code Builder Tutorial to learn how to code their agents to do certain tasks. Next, students played in survival mode. Many students used their agents in survival mode as well. Minecraft: Education Edition's code builder commands can either be coded in Blockly or JavaScript.
Day 3 - Block-Based Coding
CoSpaces
Students learned how to code objects in their virtual world using "CoBlocks", CoSpaces block-based coding language. They were also able to view their virtual world through virtual reality goggles.
Students learned how to code objects in their virtual world using "CoBlocks", CoSpaces block-based coding language. They were also able to view their virtual world through virtual reality goggles.
Scratch
Students were able to choose from a variety of tutorials to create in Scratch, a block-based visual programming language and online community created by MIT. Students could code games, animations, music, and more.
Students were able to choose from a variety of tutorials to create in Scratch, a block-based visual programming language and online community created by MIT. Students could code games, animations, music, and more.
Sphero
The Sphero mazes became a little more sophisticated on day 3! Students practiced stacking code and using different blocks to make the Sphero perform different tricks.
The Sphero mazes became a little more sophisticated on day 3! Students practiced stacking code and using different blocks to make the Sphero perform different tricks.
Minecraft: Education Edition
Students practiced coding their agents to build structures and clear holes for basements in a flat world. After practicing, we went into a creative town to each build on our plot of land. Students were expected to use their agents to build a home, and then they were able to decorate it. We ended the day playing in survival mode, where students used their new skills of coding their agent to do tasks for them, such as building and digging.
Students practiced coding their agents to build structures and clear holes for basements in a flat world. After practicing, we went into a creative town to each build on our plot of land. Students were expected to use their agents to build a home, and then they were able to decorate it. We ended the day playing in survival mode, where students used their new skills of coding their agent to do tasks for them, such as building and digging.
Day 4 - Finalizing Everything & Showcase
Before lunch...
Campers started their day by responding to the Padlet wall, updating their blogs, and completing an online breakout (see how you do by clicking here). Once they broke out, they picked out a surprise Minecraft mini figurine. Students then participated in a 3-station rotation where they coded a monster maze with Sphero, combining all of the skills they learned all week, created an augmented reality scene with CoSpaces and Merge Cube, and coded a bit more with Ozobots. Mrs. Tara Ramsey, our district's Gifted and Talented teacher, helped to record each camper's favorite activity from this week and used Scratch and Makey Makey to create an interactive display for parents to view during the showcase.
Campers started their day by responding to the Padlet wall, updating their blogs, and completing an online breakout (see how you do by clicking here). Once they broke out, they picked out a surprise Minecraft mini figurine. Students then participated in a 3-station rotation where they coded a monster maze with Sphero, combining all of the skills they learned all week, created an augmented reality scene with CoSpaces and Merge Cube, and coded a bit more with Ozobots. Mrs. Tara Ramsey, our district's Gifted and Talented teacher, helped to record each camper's favorite activity from this week and used Scratch and Makey Makey to create an interactive display for parents to view during the showcase.
Coding Crash Course Showcas
At the conclusion of camp, parents, family, and friends came to see all the creations and coding students have made all week.
At the conclusion of camp, parents, family, and friends came to see all the creations and coding students have made all week.
Reflection
We thoroughly enjoyed our sweet group of campers this week! It was awesome to watch them create and learn and just enjoy the entire process. It was also great to watch them struggle with concepts and issues and persevere in solving them. I was especially excited to realize that we had the same number of girls as we did boys attend our camp this year! The number of females pursuing Computer Science at the college level is still very low (see the statistic below published by #HourofCode), but exposure to computer science through experiences like this camp can help all students be more aware of the possibilities!
This blog post by one of our female campers was so exciting to see!
We hope all of our campers have a wonderful summer and a great 2019-2020 school year, and we sincerely hope they can join us again next year!
Meet the Campers
Click on each camper's name to view their websites and daily blog.