Meeting NJCS Standards for Grades 6-8 with Physical Computing
By
Roseanna Misuraca
Agenda
Roseanna Misuraca
Arcade Day January 28, 2022
Contact Information
& Resources
Email: rmisuraca@metboe.k12.nj.us
Website: csinthemiddle.com
Twitter:@csinthemiddle
Instagram: csinthemiddle
Notes and Resources - including link to this presentation
TEACHER CURRICULAR
NJSLS Computer Science Standard 8.1
TEACHER CENTERED
Challenge
Introduce the NJSLS Computer Science 8.1 Standards
to Edgar Middle School
STUDENT
LEARNING SPACE
STUDENT CENTERED
Engaged - Curious - Creative
Physical Computing
What is physical computing?
An interactive computing system that can sense and respond to the world around us.
A physical computing project typically involves the use of an embedded microcontroller.
Makey Makey
Why do I like using the Makey Makey with students?
How does the MaKey MaKey work?
MaKey MaKey works through opening and closing circuits, just like any other button. Instead of the circuit being closed underneath your keyboard, the circuit is closed through the conductive objects you connect with alligator clips like your hand or your lunch or some tinfoil. When the circuit is closed, the MaKey MaKey sends a command to your computer, just like when a button is pressed on a keyboard.
- MaKey MaKey website
“It taught me a lot about trial and error, and how to fix problems that were unexpected” � - Caroline
COMPUTING SYSTEMS
Core Idea: The study of human–computer interaction can improve the design of devices and extend the abilities of humans.
Performance Expectations: 8.1.8.CS.1: Recommend improvements to computing devices in order to improve the ways users interact with the devices.
ALGORITHMS AND PROGRAMMING
Core Idea: Programs use procedures to organize code and hide implementation details. Procedures can be repurposed in new programs. Defining parameters for procedures can generalize behavior and increase reusability
Performance Expectations: 8.1.8.AP.4: Decompose problems and subproblems into parts to facilitate the design, implementation, and review of programs.
“ I am extremely happy and had a lot of fun creating the game. I like how I made moving notes and different places to go to. All the details like the room decor and sprites took a lot of time but were important to me.” � - Marina
Arcade Game Input Challenge
Create an input device using simple household supplies and the Makey Makey
Grade 7
COMPUTING SYSTEMS
Core Idea: Troubleshooting a problem is more effective when knowledge of the specific device along with a systematic process is used to identify the source of a problem.
Performance Expectations: 8.1.8.CS.4: Systematically apply troubleshooting strategies to identify and resolve hardware and software problems in computing systems.
“ I am extremely happy with our basketball hoop. It took a few tries but , we figure it out.” - Luke
Learner Centered Approach
Names: Elizabeth A, Elina T, Elisa T, Fiza Z, Chelsey S
Describe your input device
Its a wheel that allows you to drive a car on scratch
How does it work?
Insert picture here
What are you most proud of?
We are most proud of the drivers wheel we crafted. It functions similarly to a real one and it’s covered in black tape similar to black leather. The button resembles a accelerator. It’s placed on the floor like a real one. The stand for the wheel is also pretty impressive it’s like one in a car would be except made out of cardboard.
Names: Sam and Julian
Describe your input device
The input works when the tinfoil rod hits the tinfoil on the inside of the box. Completing the circuit there is a box connected to the flight stick that helps it stay up.
How does it work?
The way it works is the plane stick is attached to a long tube/stick made of tin foil. There is also a box that has 4 pieces of tin foil taped to its sides. When the tube of tin foil touches each side, it closes the circuit and moves the plane to the corresponding side
Insert picture here
What are you most proud of?
We are most proud of craft part of the project. We are impressed with ourselves because we were able to make a plane stick that looks like the real thing.
Link to video demo.
IMPACT OF COMPUTING
Core Idea: Society is faced with trade-offs due to the increasing globalization and automation that computing brings.
Performance Expectations: 8.1.8.IC.2: Describe issues of bias and accessibility in the design of existing technologies.
“
Xbox Adaptive Controller - $99.000
micro:bit
So many wonderful micro:bit resources
microbit.org - projects, lessons, example code
makecode.microbit.org - online editor both block or Javascript
https://python.microbit.org/v/2 - Python editor
NYC Computer Science For All - Introduction To Physical Computing - 54 hour long course using the micro:bit
Instructables - great micro:bit project ideas
Free Professional Education - offered by Pathfinders and Infosys Foundation
Why do I love the micro:bit?
Code.org CS Discoveries
Unit 1 - Problem Solving and Computing
Lesson 4: What is a Computer?
Lesson 5: Input & Output
Lesson 6: Processing
Lesson 7: Storage
Relevant experience
Early success
Engaging
Hands-on
First introduction to coding
COMPUTING SYSTEMS
Core Idea: Software and hardware determine a computing system’s capability to store and process information. The design or selection of a computing system involves multiple considerations and potential trade-offs.
Performance Expectations: 8.1.5.CS.2 Model how computer software and hardware work together as a system to accomplish tasks
8.1.8.CS.2 Design a system that combines hardware and software components to process data.
“ We walked around the school and measured how many steps we took. I can’t believe I made it myself.” - Lia
Everyday Items
Create your own nightlight, door alarm, step counter, hand held game, motion alarm or a radio transmitter Grade 6
ALGORITHMS & PROGRAMMING
Core Idea: Individuals design and test solutions to identify problems taking into consideration the diverse needs of the users and the community.
Performance Expectations: 8.1.8.AP.6: Refine a solution that meets users’ needs by incorporating feedback from team members and users.
“ I love playing games and making them. ” - Manny
Smart Phone
Apps for Good
Using the UN Sustainable Goals, students are asked to create an app to help address one of the goals.
DESIGNING APPS FOR GOOD
Practice # 3: Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems - Identify complex, interdisciplinary, real world problems that can be solved computationally. �
�
�
8.1.8.AP.1 Design and illustrate algorithms that solve complex problems using flowcharts and /or pseudocode (paper prototype)
��
8.1.8.AP.4 Decompose problems and subproblems into parts to facilitate the design, implementation, and review of programs.
31
8.1.8.AP.6 Refine a solution that meets users needs �by incorporating feedback from team members or users�
Other Physical Computing Options
Adafruit Circuit Playground Express - Self-contained physical computing devices - $24.95, Microsoft MakeCode block-based or Javascript plus CS Discoveries Unit 6
Arduino - Stand-alone microcontroller - lots of choices - Arduino Uno Rev3 $24.20 or the Arduino UNO Mini $47.30
Raspberry Pi 4 - Single board computers - popular choice Raspberry Pi 4 - $35.00
Sensors, LEDS, Relays, Motors and other Controlled Devices - MonkMakes - $27.95
Review
Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Adafruit, Sensors, Motors
Smart Phone
8
Makey Makey
7
micro:bit
6
GRADE
STUDENT
LEARNING SPACE
TEACHER �CURRICULAR
NJSLS Computer Science Standard 8.1
Physical Computing Projects
TEACHER CENTERED
LEARNER CENTERED
STUDENT CENTERED
Benefits of Physical Computing
Challenging - Problem Solving - Critical Thinking - Computational Thinking - Learner Driven - Hand-on Learning - Creative - Engaging - Tangible - Relevant
Thinking Ahead
3d printing, �Drones, �Smart Classroom, Virtual Reality
“Education is not an affair of “telling” and being told, but an active and constructive process”.