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Elementary STEM Labs

Trussville City Schools

2018

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Technology Labs to STEM Labs

  • Science
  • Technology
  • Engineering
  • Math

Alabama State Department of Education

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Course of Study

*to be published end of 2017-2018 school year

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It is all about the process

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Design Time

With a partner or table,

invent a better lunchbox to keep a frozen treat from melting.

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Draft - New ALSDE Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards

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ISTE Standards for Students

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Developing the Curriculum

  • What is the problem?
  • What STEM standards (NGSS, CCSSM, ISTE, K12CS) does this problem align with?
  • What background information do students need to solve the problem?
  • What types of constraints will the students have (i.e. time, material, budget, etc.)?
  • How will students work together to solve the problem?
  • How will students test, gather data, and evaluate their products/solutions before redesigning?
  • How will students share their results?

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When visiting

STEM Labs

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STEM Word Wall

Computational thinking: Process involved in formulating problems and solutions so that the solutions are represented in a way that can be carried out and processed with or without a computer.

Algorithm: A list of steps to finish a task; a set of instructions that can be performed with or without a computer.

Block-based programming language: Any predefined code that lets users create programs by manipulating “blocks” or graphical programing elements, rather than writing code using text with specific syntax rules. Examples include Alice, Blockly, Scratch, and Code Studio. (Sometimes called visual coding, drag-and-drop programming, or graphical programming blocks.)

Bug: An error in a program that prevents the program from running as expected.

Cipher: A method of transforming a text in order to conceal its meaning; or, a coded message that requires a key to decode. The cipher cannot be decoded without the key.

Code: One or more command(s) or algorithm(s) designed to be carried out by a computer using a programming language

Design thinking: A methodology used to solve complex problems and find desirable solutions using logic, imagination, intuition, and systemic reasoning to explore possibilities of what could be and to create desired outcomes that benefit the end use.

Information: Data that has been processed into a useful form

Intellectual property: A work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a piece of writing or a design, to which one has ownership and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright, or trademark.

Network: An interconnected system of computers, peripherals, terminals, and databases connected by communication lines

Perseverance: Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.

and more...

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Opportunities beyond the STEM Lab

CodeCombat@TCS ASC

Up to 50 students in 4th and 5th grade will learn the Python programming. Lead coder - April Chamberlain

In School Enrichment

Students using block-based coding to complete tasks in storytelling, art, game design, fashion, music and sound, friends, sports, and/or animation.

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Community Involvement

Speakers from Code.org

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Elementary STEM Teachers

Lauren Long

Magnolia Elementary School

April Smith

Cahaba Elementary School

Susan Brandon

Paine Elementary School

Janet Benson

Paine Elementary School