Summer SAVY 2018: Session 5, Day 4 – Intro to Programming (Rising 2nd)
Hi SAVY Parents!
The week has flown by; we can’t believe that tomorrow is our last day!
Today, we consulted a historical text (Julian May’s Robots and Thinking Machines, way back from 1961) to learn about the definitions of machines and robots. What is the difference between a machine and a robot? Are all robots machines? Are all machines robots? Using the same text, we discussed the importance of Henry Ford, whose contribution to the machine industry paved the way for the efficient production of the many machines that we use today. What is an assembly line? Why would we rather use robots to work an assembly line than humans?
Before heading to the computer lab, students were introduced to loops. What is the difference between a repeat and a loop? After a brief dance party, students went to the computer lab where they applied the loop concept in their teams. Tomorrow, we will begin learning how to make video games on code.org! They are working very hard in their pair programming groups to complete many difficult tasks and learn the skills of communication and collaboration. Speaking of difficult tasks, each student has had a trial run driving their Sphero remotely through an obstacle course. Now on their final day they will be working to program their robot through the same course. What other current event situations could this skill be used for?
Parents, please join us tomorrow for Parent Open House from 9:00AM to 9:30AM. Meet us in the Sutherland Lobby for open house! We will gather here, then walk over to our destination. Here, you will get to observe your child programming their Sphero robots!
Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow,
-Mrs. Byrd and Maya
Problem-solving With Our Spheros
