MONTHLY MEGABITE Summer 2018
Summer Learning and Entrepreneurship at Camp Invention! This summer, ITTIP staff hosted two, one-week Camp Invention learning experiences for elementary students. The first week of the camp, July 23-27, 2018, included students entering 3rd or 4th grade. The second week of the camp, July 30 – August 3, 2018,
Above: Student shares their adopted pet with accessories
included students entering 5th or
ing activity included the building
6th grade. While the curriculum
and celebration of a dog park for
was the same for both camps,
all their furry friends!
delivery was modified based on the needs of the participating stu-
A second module included the
dents.
exploration of sensors and how they are used, or could be used, in
The students worked through four
the real world. Students explored
different modules throughout the
and invented how sensors could
week, each one focusing on a dif-
be used in clothing, vehicles of the
ferent content and design chal-
future, and even for underwater
lenges. The first module included
exploration and fire fighting! One
taking the role of a veterinarian to
invention had students creating
examine the anatomy of a ro-
a vehicle of the future where they
botic dog in relationship to a real
had to test their colloboratively
dog and to diagnose pet illnesses
made vehicles for safety with sen-
through science investigations.
sors from a Crash Test Dummy.
Students “adopted” one of the
Students also enjoyed decorating
robotic dogs and their new pets
and taking home their very own
got to go home with them, after
light sensing Optibot.
adding fur and accessories to their pets during the week. A culminat-
Students had their design abilities (continued page 3)
The mission of ITTIP is to transform teaching and learning in PK-12 classrooms through the use of technology by providing high-quality professional development for educators and engaging programs for students, in order to maximize their learning experiences and opportunities in a globally competitive workforce.
Upcoming events Sept 3 Holiday - Offices Closed Sept 11 STEAM Night, Nottoway, Virginia Sept 19 SVRTC Meeting, Nottoway High School Sept 27 STEAM Night, Henrico, Virginia In This Issue
Page 1 Summer Learning - Camp Invention Page 2 Model My Watershed Master Teacher Workshop Page 3 SVRTC Meeting Dates
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Summer 2018 Megabite - Longwood University ITTIP
Model My Watershed - Master Teacher Workshop This summer, ITTIP’s STEM
face-to-face on how MMW cur-
ity of the water. Teachers were
Learning Specialist, Stephanie
riculum has been implemented
able to take these tools back to
Playton, along with two Virginia
across grade levels and various
their home states to use in their
teachers, participated in the Model
science classrooms. In addition,
classrooms.
My Watershed (MMW) Master
teachers learned about technology
Teacher Workshop in Concord,
innovations such as SensorTags,
Visit Concord Consortium’s
Massachusetts. The workshop
digital microscopes, and web apps,
blog post to learn more about
included two and a half days of
to later share with colleagues and
the summer event, or visit IT-
learning with participants from
customize watershed activities.
TIP’s project page.
eight states (CA, CO, IA, KS, MA, MO, PA, VA). The teachers were
One of the hands-on experiences
chosen to participate in the Mas-
included using Leaf Packs. The
ter Teacher Workshop due to their
teachers used the Leaf Packs by
previous participation in one of
extracting soaked leaves from a
Virginia’s previous cohorts of
stream and examining its contents
MMW.
of aquatic macroinvertebrates with tools provided in the kit. Master
The workshop enabled teachers
Teachers entered the data col-
from across states to collaborate
lected into a Water Quality App, so they could determine the qual-
Above: A Virginia participant examines the quality of the water from a nearby stream using the LeafPack toolkit.
Through My Window Are you looking for a way to ingetrate your literacy time with STEM?
Check out,
Through My Window, a free full length young adult novel (grades 4-8) with lesson plans that integrate into the book’s theme on artificial intellegence. The developed curriculum gives a lot of flexibility for integration, as the lesson plans range from 7-day to 60-day plans. Currently the project, funded by the National Science Foundation, additionally has two online learning adventures to go along with the novel: Rio’s Brain on the subject of artificial intelligence and Trapped in Time on the engineering design cycle. The grant funded project is expanding, so be on the lookout for new materials and learning adventures on the website!
3
Summer 2018 Megabite - Longwood University ITTIP
summer Learning and Entrepreneuring at Camp Invention! (cont.) challenged as they explored the
instructors, Dr. Paula Leach, ITTIP
internet of things while they built
Director, and Stephanie Playton,
and decorated their own mini-
ITTIP STEM Learning Specialist,
mansions in the third module.
led the activities for both camps.
They learned about and integrated renewable energy sources, as well
Susan Throckmorton, ITTIP Office
as smart devices as they blinged
Manager, and Barbara Scott, Logis-
out their mansions. A culminating
tics Coordinator, were a huge help
activity included “house warm-
in the success of the programs, as
ing” parties as the students shared
they were on campus most of the
their “new” houses.
time assisting the lead teachers.
Above: Students work on coding their Bluebot through an obstacle course.
The last module in the Camp
Camp attendees included students
and closed a couple weeks later
Invention curriculum included
from the following local school di-
with an extensive wait list.
“mini challenges” that had stu-
visions: Appomattox, Buckingham,
dents thinking about themselves
Charlotte, Cumberland, Nottoway,
Check out our YouTube video to
as inventors while they explored
and Prince Edward County. The
get a better idea of what kind of
other inventors and entrepreneurs
camps were supported by ITTIP
experiences the participants had.
throughout the week. By the end
at Longwood University and were
ITTIP looks forward to hosting
of the week, students learned how
provided at no cost to the partici-
more camps next year, so be on
they could take their own ideas,
pants. Registration information
the look-out for registration next
keep those ideas safe, and be-
was sent to schools in early May
Spring!
come inventors themselves! Camp participants also enjoyed keeping notes and ideas in their own Inventor Logs throughout the week for all of the activities. Additional activities integrated into the students’ time at camp, included exploration and coding experiences with Bluebots. Students learned how to “debug” code as they problem-solved through various obstacle courses. Camp
2018-2019 SVRTC Meeting Dates Wednesday, September 19, 2018 Wednesday, October 17, 2018 Wednesday, November 28, 2018 No December Meeting Wednesday, January 16, 2019 Wednesday, February 20, 2019 No March Meeting – Awards Banquet Wednesday, April 17, 2019 **All meetings for the 2018-2019 school year begin at 10:00 am at Nottoway High School, 5267 Old Nottoway Road Crewe, Virginia For more information, visit www.svrtc.org