ScratchEdYYC Meetup

It is Scratch Meetup Time! 

Our Scratch Meetup groups explore how the programming language Scratch can be used to support learning in our classrooms.  Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) is a free web based programming environment developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT.  Scratch is an easy programming language to learn and everyone experiences success right away, but it also has a very high ceiling and can be used to create complex projects!

Whether you are new to coding in the classroom or are very experienced with Scratch and looking to challenge and extend your understanding, we definitely want you at our meetup!  Let's learn and grow together as we help our students learn computational thinking and coding in our schools using Scratch!  Our group works with anyone who is interested in Scratch, from Kindergarten and Grade 1 teachers exploring Scratch Jr. to people who want to write their own extensions in Java with High School students and important them into Scratch as an extension . . . and everything in between!

Check out the meeting information and sign up link below!  We hope to see you there!

Steve Martin and Loralee Martin - Founders of ScratchEdYYC!

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Here are some possible topics that you may be interested in that we can look at during the meet-up. However, meetups are driven by the participants so if there is something you want to share or something you want to learn about, let us know!

Introduction to Scratch through the HOUR OF CODE  (Beginners)

Thinking of using a programming language in your classroom as part of Hour of Code and Computer Science Week (December 5th - 11th)? Come to our ScratchED YYC Meetup and we will walk you through using Scratch in your classroom and the Hour of Code resources!

WeDo and Machines . . . The CHAIN REACTION (Intermediate)

Our grade 8 Design and Computer Science class has created a WeDo chain reaction!  Bouncy balls will travel from station to station in our Learning Commons, each ball launched into the real world by a Scratch program.  This will be a great demonstration of Scratch with huge opportunities to integrate with Grade 4 and Grade 8 machine science units!

The Unofficial Scratch Extensions (Intermediate)

Looking to take your Scratch skills to the next level?  Learn about Scratch X . . the secret extensions to Scratch that can run Arduinos, track the International Space Station . . . follow Twitter Hashtags . . . create games where Scratch tracks movements through the Microsoft Kinnect and so much more!

See you at Meetup: ScratchEdYYC - Coding in our Classrooms

ScratchED YYC -Meetup Group for Scratch Educators

Invite a friend

Simply forward this invite to a friend and have them join the Meetup.

	Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 4:30 PM
	Captain Nichola Goddard School Learning Commons 405 Panatella Blvd NW Calgary, AB Directions

offer | Arduino Workshop

New to Ardruino or a seasoned veteran? Come join Mitchell Way as we unpack and play with the Grove System. Plenty of time to learn and play. Time will be set-aside for those who would like to design tasks and assessment practices. 

A bit about Mitchell Way: It began with a SumoBot; bought as a gift to myself after graduating from an Ed degree. A mass of servos and microcontrollers that led me down the path of electronics and Robotics. Over the first summer it was built, programmed, reprogrammed and rebuilt. A few years later, that passion became a job. That was a few years and a couple hundred Robotics students ago. Since then I have been working to educate students on how the core pieces of their technology functions. My favorite platform is the open-source Arduino system, and it's snap in Grove companions. As CTS LL at Nelson Mandela High School I am proud to be building and teaching through a brand new electronics lab focusing on electronics, programming, Robotics and Pre-Engineering. 

Date and Time: September 30th, 1:00 - 3:30

Note: Please ensure you request permission from your administration to participate. No sub coverage provided.

inform | Williams Engineering Internship

Do you know a high school student who is interested in pursuing a career in Engineering? If so, a summer internship at Williams Engineering might be for them! The deadline to apply has been extended to June 10th, 2016.

You can find more information about the experience, an application form, and a list of twelve questions an intern would be responsible for finding out.

For more information, please contact Tom Wong.

Film Studies through the lens of CTF

We recently offered a professional learning opportunity to film studies teachers to come together and consider how film studies could be offered through the Career and Technology Foundations framework in the middle years.

The Locally Developed Course for Film Studies 7 - 9 will not be renewed in the fall due to significant overlap with the CTF Communications cluster.

The group of teachers who came together looked at the CTF program of studies and found that the curriculum held great potential for CTF. None of the teachers felt that by shifting to this program of studies that their program would lose elements - all the skills, use of mentor films, and filmmaking techniques would continue to be important in using the CTF program of studies.

After having looked at the program of studies, we spent some time examining the occupational areas. We considered how combining the occupational areas of communication technology and design studies, the two areas we felt film would align best with, and other occupational areas could open up possibilities for task design. In CTF, tasks should connect with two or more occupational areas. For example, what would result if we combined communication technology with tourism? Students might create a promotional video to encourage viewers to visit a specific place. What about design studies and marketing? Students could design a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to sway public opinion. How about communication technology and esthetics? Perhaps students are using makeup effects to send a particular message through the medium of film.

There are obvious connections with arts as well. The CTF program of studies allows for these cross-disciplinary opportunities to emerge authentically.

Here are some notes from the brainstorming the teachers did:

CTF/Film Studies Professional Learning – May 13^th:

New Possibilities:

• tying our films to real world issues through PSAs/Documentary films with a truly impactful message about business & finance, social issues, nature, human services, tourism, technology impact
• real emphasis on the plethora of careers available in film (Vancouver is a tv hotspot, lots of jobs in Canada for this field)
• Design a webpage or blog for a film critic and then critique films using it
• Going past the filming and post-production to the marketing & promotion of their film to an audience (print media, reviews, movie posters, teaser trailers, radio spots)
• Video announcements (rather than PA) to inform about school events
• Ted Talks
•  Lynda.com helpful videos
• Rick Mercer-style video rants about social issues

Foundational Skills:

• Shot types – design studies, script-writing, persuasive writing, connects to Humanities LA, Dialogue techniques
• Camera movements
• Equipment use – tripods, cameras, dollies
• Editing software use (movie maker, iMovie, Adobe elements, video editing, sound track editing)
• Shot lists and/or storyboarding
•  Acting for camera – connects to FA/Drama
• Framing
• Basic lighting (back lighting) talk about it, investigate it, view examples on film
• Communication skills (group skills) – collaborative planning, storyboarding, scriptwriting
• Time Management
• Roles/Responsibilities/tasks division – enterprise & Innovation, management & marketing
• Promotion – posters, invite an audience, trailers 

Tasks:

• PSAs – environmental stewardship, management and marketing
• Documentary – resources, fashion
• Persuasive argument – management/marketing
• Animation – stop motion – computing science info processing,
• Sound editing/layering – computing science, info processing
• Commercial
•  Film marketing – trailers, print media, radio spots, reviews
• Song video (visual interpretation)
• Film reviews/book reviews
• Travel/tourist promo
• How to plan a trip online video
• How-to videos
• VLOG – talk about your experience with______________

The teachers at the professional learning event all loved the opportunity to connect with other teachers of film. To continue this collaboration, we have created a Yammer group for CTF Film Studies teachers. Everyone is welcome to join.

inform | Design the Shift 2016-2017

In the summer of 2016, we will be offering the third iteration of our Design the Shift summer professional learning institute. This summer experience uses the processes and mindsets of design thinking to imagine possibilities for engaging, authentic task design and making learning visible. Feedback from the 90+ participants from the past two summers has been overwhelmingly positive. Each year, Design the Shift is created using an iterative design process, and builds upon the successes of the previous year to create a new learning experience for educators. We appreciate your sharing this opportunity with your staff and admin teams.

The themes of the three days will be focused on:

• Gaining empathy from place
• Finding inspiration in people
• Being alive as a learner

Who is this for?

Teachers and administrators who are willing to:

• think in new and different ways about teaching and learning
• engage in professional learning as the role of the learner
• dwell in a space of ambiguity
• consider all people, places, things, and objects as learning resources
• take risks
• see connections between concepts, ideas, and disciplines
• immerse yourself in three days of collaborative professional learning this summer

Some feedback from previous participants has been that participation has been most effective when teachers attend with others from their school or professional network. Please strongly consider applying with others from your school or professional network.

When will this be taking place?

There will be two rounds of Design the Shift. Participants will attend one of the following rounds.

• August 8, 9, 10, 2016
• August 24, 25, 26, 2016

There will also be four half-day sessions throughout the school year to continue to collaborate and learn together. Substitute coverage will be provided.

What will we be doing?

Participants will be engaging in participatory activities that will put them in the shoes of the learner.

Participants can expect to leave the summer institute with:

• A foundational understanding of the design thinking process
• A deepened development of the design thinking mindsets
• A collaborative professional learning community

What am I committing to?

• Immersing yourself in three days of professional learning this summer.
• Participating in four half day communities of practice to come together throughout the school year (substitute costs will be covered)
• Continuing to apply the design thinking process and mindsets in designing tasks for your students in your context.
• Making your own learning visible within the CBE and with other professionals.

How do I get involved?

Please fill out this expression of interest. The deadline to express interest is June 3rd. A maximum of 50 teachers overall will be accepted. All applicants will be informed regarding the application results by June 15th, 2016.

What if I have other questions?

Please contact Erin Quinn or Matt Armstrong with questions.

inform | ScratchEdu Meetup

Please see the following announcement from two of the CBE's innovative educators:

We are very excited to announce Southern Alberta’s first Scratch Educator Meetup!  

A Meetup is an opportunity to:

• network with other educators and community members who use the Scratch programming language with students
• share project ideas and see projects that others have done
• brainstorm with colleagues to extend your project ideas to new heights
• learn about the  support and resources that are available to help you and your students - both in Calgary and in the Global ScratchEd Community

We are looking forward to creating a support and resource group in Calgary and area for those who are using Scratch (or are new to Scratch and want to learn!!) in their classrooms.  Our professional learning model is similar to how EdCamp works.  You ask for the sessions and discussions that you want to be a part of - and the group works to facilitate those activities and learning opportunities!

So please, join us join us on Wednesday, May 11^th, 2016 in the learning commons at Captain Nichola Goddard School from 4:30 to 6:30 for this professional learning opportunity and let's help students be inspired to create amazing programs! There is no cost for the event and afterwards, anyone who is interested can join us for supper to continue the conversation.

Please

 RSVP through Meet-ups at http://tinyurl.com/scratchedyyc and follow us on twitter @ScratchEdYYC.  You can also join up and we will keep you informed of upcoming ScratchEdYYC events.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.  We look forward to seeing you!

Loralee Martin (Div 1 and 2)                                  Steve Martin (Div 2 and 3)

                                              

Workshop Opportunity: MakeFashion

MakeFashion is a fashion show that takes place annually here in Calgary, and is on the bleeding edge of innovation in terms of smashing together high fashion with technology. Fashion designers are paired with technologists and engineers, and the collaborative work that results is pretty incredible!

Photography: Rafal Wegiel Photography | Models: Millie Jayne, Natalka Lewis | Makeup: Ivonne Arsenault

As you can see, this gown is a true team effort. The team is:

Virtually Vogue team is:

• Catherine Hazin: Team Lead. Fuelled by her fine arts degree and a passion for bridal fashion, Catherine designed the Virually Vogue layered pencil skirt ensemble, and is acting project manager for the team.

• Dan Damron: Lead Engineer. He is responsible for researching and sourcing most of the electronics, and for programming and writing all of the code required to make the dresses function.

• Kelly Hofer: Designer/Engineer. In addition to co-designing the Victorian inspired hoop dress, he was also responsible for troubleshooting much of the technical design. Kelly learned his making skills on the hutterite colony where he grew up. With a wide range of skills from 3d design, lighting design, some programming, electrical engineering, sewing, metal work and many others.

• Dianne Gibson: Master Sewer/Fashion Designer by trade, specializing in custom corsets. Her level of experience and expert skill are apparent in the garments construction.

Information about this gown from Virtually Vogue.

The CBE is so fortunate to have a great relationship with the minds behind this incredible event. We have all agreed that this would be an incredible opportunity for students to become involved in - it is a true and authentic example of interdisciplinary work in action. 

To that end, we are offering a workshop for teachers and students on Wednesday, February 24th. Our MakeFashion friends will be hosting us at ARCHEloft (formerly Endeavour Arts Gallery), which is located at #200 1209 First Street SW. The workshop will be from 4:30 - 7:30pm. The workshop will be hands-on, and will teach you how to incorporate various technologies into clothing and fashion.

From this workshop, there may be an opportunity for several participants' students to create a design for the MakeFashion runway - an incredible, world-renowned opportunity for students to add to their portfolio.

There is no cost for the workshop, though the technologies we use during the workshop will be available for sale.

Note: Should students wish to attend, please ensure they have their own transportation to and from the event. This is not a CBE-sponsored field trip.

If you have questions, please contact Tracy Dalton or Erin Quinn.

Thinking, Making, and Improving with Robotics at Wildwood

by Erin Quinn (elquinn at cbe dot ab dot ca).

I was invited to go to Wildwood School to work with the grade 4s on an introduction to robotics. I brought along our Cubelets, a modular robotics system that snaps together with magnets.

I had an hour with each group. We started with six cubes: a battery, a distance sensor, a light sensor, a flashlight, a set of wheels, and a passive block.

Before I let them go, we talked about the three thinking processes they would focus on today: Think-Make-Improve (T-M-I), a simplified design thinking process borrowed from the invaluable book Invent to Learn: Making, Tinkering, & Engineering in the Classroom.

We started by having groups of students just play with the six Cubelets. Pretty quickly, the students realized the Cubelets must be put together in order to function - a pretty great metaphor for the kind of collaboration the students would be required to approach this kind of learning. They played for a bit, and figured out that when they put them together, the cubes would move, light up, spin, etc. They just weren't sure, yet, how they worked.

I stopped them after they'd had a chance to play and we talked a bit about sensors. We talked about what a sensor is - they understood sensors were things that told something about the environment around it - and link to the root of sense, pointing to our five senses. They gave examples of sensors in our world - a motion sensor on a garage light, the automatic doors at the grocery store, the faucets in the mall bathrooms.

To learn more about sensors and how they work, we focused next on three cubes: the battery, the distance sensor, and the wheels. I did not tell them they had a distance sensor - I just asked them to select the black cube that had two dots on it that kind of looked like a face. I told the students that one of these three blocks was a sensor, and that their challenge was to try to figure out which one was the sensor, and what kind of sensor it was. Nearly all groups were successful with this and identified the black cube as the sensor, and many were very close in determining what kind of sensor it is - most said it was a motion sensor. I asked them to play more with these three blocks, and see how many different ways they could figure out to make it move. They got it to go away from them, come towards them, go in a big circle, do little donuts, amongst other moves.

From there, I gave them a challenge: Create a robot that does a job for humans. Some of their amazing inventions can be found below in the Storify of the Tweets we created during the session - I'm quite partial to the desk-cleaning robot myself!

After the exploration, the students took some time to reflect on the T-M-I thinking they did using this graphic organizer I created to help the students reflect on their learning. Please feel free to use it. If you do, connect back with us to let us know how it worked!

As for me, I was blown away by the incredible problem solving students were employing as they were exploring these robots. This was a perfect example of how using their hands activates their brains - by moving, tweaking, changing the robots, the students were able to gain understanding of computational thinking. Something else stood out to me: the groups of students who truly collaborated, and worked together rather than individually or in parallel with each other were far more successful. Something for me to keep in mind and puzzle around: how can we, as instructional designers, scaffold the skills of collaboration when we're designing maker challenges?

I'll be heading back to Wildwood to work with the grade 4s in about a month to do some more robotics work with them, now that they've gotten the basics under their belt. Can't wait to have them blow me away again!