Unleashing Creativity with Computer Science
by: Maria Franco, ITI Instructional Technology Facilitator
The theme of this year’s Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) was “Creativity.” CSEdWeek is an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take an interest in computer science. On December 4, 2018, Coldwater Canyon Elementary School had the opportunity to host the District’s kick-off event. Students and teachers at Coldwater Canyon unleashed this year’s theme of “Creativity” by engaging in a CS Digital Playground and exploring a variety of student-created projects.
This year Coldwater Canyon Elementary School has embraced computer science. The event showcased over 25 student projects that demonstrate computer science instruction engaging students as early as pre-school in unplugged coding to upper grades in physical computing and robotics.
The student-led event was a huge success! Over 300 students and teachers engaged in computer science experiences through a CS Digital Playground. Students began by engaging in an unplugged computer science dance activity. Students showed off their dance moves as they followed an algorithm created using the Code.org coding platform, and then they had an opportunity to code their own dance algorithm. Students worked collaboratively to plan, create and code their projects using a chromebook, Scratch (a block-based visual programming language and online community targeted primarily at children), Makey Makey (a simple invention kit), and Edison bot (a programmable and LEGO-compatible robot ). They use computational thinking to help the Wonder Workshop robot successfully move through a maze. Students had the opportunity to share, explain, and engage other students, teachers and visitors in their interactive projects. These experiences were facilitated by some of Coldwater Canyon’s 2nd through 5th grade students and the Instructional Technology Initiative team.
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The event was attended by several district leaders as well as district partners, such as from Code.org and LEGO Education. Coldwater Canyon Principal Cynthia Braley was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from State Assembly Member Adrin Nazarian. The student-led event was an important milestone for our teachers and students as they not only explored computer science in fun and engaging ways, but most importantly, they brought to life the #CS4LAUSD initiative.
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