CBE Conference Sessions of Interest. I did my best with this project.
Experience how the world of coding and robotics come together by working hands on with an Arduino UNO (microcontroller), wires, resistors and LED’s to build and program a blinking light device. Attendees do not require experience in coding, and will learn the basics of the Arduino coding language (similar to C/C++) to program their light device. Please bring your laptops with the Arduino IDE software installed: https://www.arduino.cc/en/main/software
 
STEAM: a powerful education movement combining science, engineering, technology and math with design and art! It’s these last two, design and art, that are currently poised to be the power source that drives the 21st century forward in all areas, just like science and technology did for the last century. In this half day workshop, Suzanne Presinal, Master Maker from STEM Learning Lab, will take teachers on their own design adventure combining art with the technology platform, Makey Makey. She will collaborate with you to show you how technology and art can blend together to meet curriculum outcomes in today’s busy classrooms as you go through the design process and come out the other end with a new appreciation for STEAM.
 
There has been much buzz around "teaching kids how to code" in the past few years. However, teachers may be reluctant to engage in this work due to assumptions that expensive equipment or an extensive background in computer science is needed. Coding is based upon the skills associated with computational thinking. These are the habits of mind employed when successfully addressing any challenge and/or problem: whether technology is present, or not. This session will explore how grade 4 students at Monterey Park School were introduced to coding and computational thinking through scaffolded tasks, starting with unplugged activities and finishing with the development of code to navigate a robot through a maze. Attendees will leave with a structure for scaffolding computational thinking activities and associated resources.
 
Stories excite our imaginations and creativity! They take us to new worlds and introduce us to new friends. With digital storytelling, it is an imaginative and engaging way for students to share ideas and experiences. In this session, STEM expert, Shannon Campbell, will work with teachers to outline how to utilize technologies to create their own interactive stories and animation through code. Join us today and let your stories come alive.