One thing about computers, they’re complicated. And understanding coding, the language of these machines, for many is too daunting. But not if you’re curious, and especially if you’re not alone!
In our first weeks of fall Program here at Project Exploration, our Building Block Club (BBC) students in Kindergarten through Second grade were learning how to code for themselves; and how to work together while doing it!
These students were using coding mice, programmable mice that perform a series of actions within a given or custom maze to get to the cheese. A tutorial video for how to use the mice can be found here.
And learn more about the STEAMbassadors, Jessica Cervantes and Devontae Mitchell, that facilitated this activity in this featured Q&A.
Follow along! And maybe you’ll get to the cheese yourself…!
Students in groups first build the maze before solving it. Photo by Cachetta Potts for Project Exploration.
Before you solve the maze, you have to build it! In groups, students had the choice of creating their own design or following one listed on a card.
STEAMbassador and BBC facilitator Devontae Mitchell, left, assists students in assembling their maze. Photo by Cachetta Potts for Project Exploration.
“The coding mouse is something new that they haven’t used before,” said STEAMbassador Devontae Mitchell, who co-led the activity with STEAMbassadors, Jessica Cervantes and David Sark [double check last name]. “So it’s good to see them engage in it; and seeing their eyes pop and grow bright every time they see something new.”
STEAMbassadors Jessica Cervantes and David Sark assist BBC students in developing a sequence to solve the maze. Photo by Cachetta Potts for Project Exploration.
Before students can program the mouse, they need to determine the sequence of movements that will solve the maze. “It’s a little mouse that has the basics: move forward, move back, turn right and turn left. We focus on teaching them, first, what the mice would do when we have a certain code; which we then allow them to create.”
When students work together, with patience, collaboration, while being diligent to plan, setup and execute their program, they can solve the maze and get to the cheese. And perhaps with the help and support of friends you can too!
Here at Project Exploration students’ success in their endeavors is anything but cheesy. Consider subscribing to our newsletter or donating to our cause of empowering Black and Brown youth to change the face of science!