Coding for Real Life https://grants.dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/proposals-2019/coding-for-real-life https://grants.dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/@@site-logo/sitelogo-75x75.png

Coding for Real Life

Additional Information
Used for	With the emphasis on STEM at Gowan, this is a great opportunity to provide a challenge to the upper grade students who have already worked through coding activities at the lower grade levels. We would be looking to obtain a Class Pack for the 6th grade (and perhaps older grades if we expand) cohort. As part of this, the students will learn about authentic coding of robots and drones during the first portion of the school year working with Parrot Mambo Drones, Sphero Robots, and others as needed. During the second half of the school year, students would then get to identify a path that they would want to take during coding time.
Benefits	Students use the skills they’ve learned from science, engineering, and coding activities to take things to the next level. In the First Tech Challenge, students build a robot from the ground up. The students are provided the starting components through the kits that are provided; after that, the sky is the limit for the students’ robots. Coding in the abstract isn't rewarding for most people, but building a functioning robot makes learning come to life.
Proposal Description	Costs (for 30 students): 2019-2020 Participation Fee: $695 (only one fee for the entire class) Robot Kit Costs (per robot): $579 Number of Robots needed: 7 Total Robot Costs: $4053 Grand Total (before tax and shipping: $4712 Gowan Science Academy is in Yuma, Arizona, on the US-Mexico border. We are a public elementary school where every student receives free lunch. Our students are amazing learners who come up with ideas every day for taking their classroom learning and making the world a better place. This program will enhance our curriculum where we have computer coding in place for all grades--now, our oldest students will be able to have a culminating project. The students can add as many, or as few, additions to their robot as they feel is required to complete the challenges presented in the activities. After building the robot, the students learn to program the robot to perform many different functions. Not only do they have to program the robot to be able to work autonomously, but also to be able to work through two remote controls that enable all of the parts and functions of the robot to work. Students works in groups of 4-5 students in order to work through this entire program. This is designed for students in grades 6-8 (11-14 years old). Students would be able to choose between working with the FTC robots, FLL robots (EV3), or continuing to work with the drones and Spheros. With this program, all of the components of STEM are met. The students have to utilize an understanding of science to determine the proper materials, structural support, simple machines, complex machines, and much more. The students will use technology to not only program and code the robot, but also to build the robot, gather ideas for proper design of the robot, and learn (on their own) how to do different programs with the robot. Engineering is fairly easy to see in this program, but to ensure it is understood, the students will use the entirety of the engineering design process during this program. Students will start by planning out their design and thinking through the logical steps that must be done before actually building the robot and presenting it at a showcase night for all the various robots. Finally, mathematics is critically important in working out distances, area of the robot, weight, and other aspects that must be considered when working on the robots.