Creative challenges that feel like play, and problem-solving quests that are solved with a coding mindset … along with a lot of laughs, ah-has, and wows! That’s what happening in Katonah Elementary’s new STREAM lab each Friday.
The engaging and hands-on learning experiences are the result of a collaboration between school librarian Jamie Nedwick and technology teaching assistant Tanesha Mezzo. The two educators use a variety of state-of-the-art tools to engage students’ creativity and support their critical thinking skills—the threads that connect science, technology, reading, engineering, art and math (STREAM).
First graders recently played with coding cards, which support math thinking and game-based learning. Things will get even more exciting when they use the cards to program a KaiBot, a robot with wheels and a camera.
Fifth graders had their first STREAM adventure using Lego Spike Essentials kits. Nedwick said that the students designed, built and coded Lego creations to perform specific tasks. “After working through debugging and refining their programs, students took their learning even further by enhancing their builds with additional pieces and experimenting with new coding blocks,” she said.
There’s more in store throughout the year.
Nedwick anticipates introducing students to technology tools including Dash and Dot robots, Sphero Coding Robots and Makey Makey invention kits. She’s also looking forward to collaborating with teacher Lynn Garofolo, the curriculum leader for science at the elementary level, and integrating the digital tools into students’ science lessons.