Coding and Robotics at Saddle Rock

Robotics, Coding, and STEAM at Saddle Rock

All students at Saddle Rock engage in 21st century learning through a variety of hands-on experiences. Throughout each year, students learn coding and problem-solving strategies while programming robots. In addition, students are introduced to programs and challenges that help kids refine their design, logic, and problem-solving abilities.

Code and Go Mice..... p. 3
OSMO ..... p. 4
Dash.... p. 5-6
Lego WeDo 2.0.... p. 7
Ozobots.... p. 8
Lego Mindstorms.... p. 9
STEAM Challenges.... p. 10-11
Other Great Tech.... p. 12

Kindergartners coding robot mice

Code and Go Mice

Colby the robot mouse is a great introduction to programming for our K-2 students. Students learn screen-free coding skills to create sequences for Colby. This robot gets integrated into our regular curriculum, from holidays (programming Colby to travel through the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade) to reading (designing a sequence so Colby spells a snap word), and more.

OSMO

Osmo devices combine tactile pieces with technology to create a unique learning experience. When students use Osmo, you can hear the squeals of joy from down the hall! They are completely engaged, whether they are creating number bonds with digit tiles or making geometric figures with shapes.

Dash Robots

The coding skills that students learn with Dash help develop their critical thinking skills. Using a drag-and-drop program, Dash gets coded using apps. The block chain of code can include commands for movement, turns, lights, sounds, and more!

children using dash robot to plow paper snowballs

The open-endedness of Dash leaves a lot of room for creative inspiration. 1st graders worked on Dash's coding basics, 2nd graders coded degrees of turns to perform a figure skating routine, and 3rd graders used precise measurements to plow snow!

Dash Robots cont.

Older students learn more advanced coding terms with Dash, like loops and conditionals. They also use Dash accessories like the Xylophone and the launcher to complete challenges. Some recent challenges were a roll and code game, programming Dash to slalom ski and compete in other Olympic games, coding Dash to play a song on the xylophone, and throwing a Dash dance party!

children smiling with dash robot xylophones

Lego WeDo 2.0

Lego WeDo is a unique kit that allows students to design, build, and code robots. There are endless possibilities with Lego Robots! Some of the projects focused on are:
- building a snail that can glow different colors and make sounds (grade 2)
- creating a Mars rover that can detect a plant species (grade 3)
- designing and programming an Earthquake simulator to test what type of structure can withstand the greatest magnitude earthquake (grade 4)
- engineering and designing a solution for a robot that would assemble a base on the moon (grade 5)

children using legos to build earthquake simulator

children using legos to build mars rover

Ozobots

Ozobots use sensors to follow lines and read color codes students make with markers. This screen-free, desk-friendly coding adds a level of engagement to academic areas. Ozobots are used across the school in many grades and with various subject areas. Here, 4th graders code a maze so their bot ONLY travels through multiples of a given number.