Blog written by: Dana Cochran, special education teacher
“It’s a robot dating show, Mrs. Cochran!” my student shouted from the floor while smiling and giggling.
“Look! Ours both met at the flagpole,” her classmate said excitedly.
My special needs students, ages 10-11, had been working on coding KUBO for about a week. They had learned functions and subroutines. (We hadn’t even gotten to loops, yet.) Everyone was engaged, active, and, most importantly, having fun.
Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, ROBOTICS, STEM, Coding, 21st Century Skills, Hands-on Learning, STEAM
In August 2017, Pitsco released the TorqueNADO®, a powerful 12-volt DC motor with a built-in encoder for our TETRIX® MAX building system. This motor was the strongest motor available for competitors in the FIRST® Tech Challenge 2017-2018 season game, Relic Recoverysm. Many teams were able to use the TorqueNADO for competition this year and had lots to say about it.
Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, ROBOTICS, FIRST Tech Challenge, Technology, Engineering, TETRIX Robotics
Temperatures are warming up, so now is the perfect time to get students active and outside! Is it a coincidence that May is Physical Education and Sports month? Nope, couldn’t be more fitting. Combining physical activity with scientific attention to detail is easy with the right activities and planning.
At Pitsco, we love to approach STEM learning with a kinesthetic approach. But we don’t just want to encourage tackling STEM in a kinesthetic manner, we want to help make it possible. We’re happy to announce our #MoveInMay contest! One lucky educator will receive our new STEM in the Gym™: Electricity & Magnetism Package.
Topics: Elementary School, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, STEM, Activities, 21st Century Skills
Superheroes do amazing feats. Their larger-than-life adventures and firm moral compasses are what keep us so fascinated with telling their stories. They jump higher, run faster, and push themselves to do whatever it takes to save people. Often we don't stop to consider the physics and math of these powers, but if we really start to break down how fast some of our favorite heroes can move, their powers become even more mind-boggling.
Topics: IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Culture, Science, Resources
Let’s go fly a kite. Up to the highest height. Let’s go fly a kite and send it soaring!
I’d be willing to bet you started singing that. The people in the movie Mary Poppins knew how to have a good time when they were all flying kites at the end of the movie. Seeing as how March to April is the windiest time in the US, now is a perfect time to do some kite-related activities outside!
