Who can found a non-profit? In our opening meetings for this semester’s student-lead Quest (how can we help the hunger crisis?) we found ourselves wondering: How do nonprofits get started? Who can found one? What does a nonprofit board look like? How does all of this even happen? What does it take to go from […]
All month, kindergarteners and first graders have been working with our 2019 Tech-Mas theme of light by exploring circuits. They’ve learned the three things that you need to complete a circuit, and I still get a little rush of glee hearing them talk about input and output! Now that students can comprehend, build, and explain […]
‘Tis the season… Tech-Mas 2019 is upon us, my friends! Each year, I receive tons of questions via social media about our annual collaborative computer science and library tradition. This year, I’ve gathered ’em up for one big FAQ post. So grab a mug of hot chocolate and slap on your ugliest Christmas sweater, because […]
On October 29, the Haunted Library opened its doors once again for a one-night-only,ย hands-on family celebration. Much like last year’s event, the 2019 Haunted Library invited ghouls and ghosts to attend in their costumes and explore creepy projects and games together. This year, middle schoolers were completely in charge of the event – from […]
โYou mean we get to TOUCH the ROBOTS?!โ ๐ค ๐ As part of our robotics unit, kindergarten students got up close and personal with their first set of robots this week! We used a beloved, classic story to ground this unit in literacy and bring the story to life. We started by sharing The Very […]
You know by now that I love weaving literacy and computer science together to create programming and experiences that are exciting, hands-on, and engaging for kids. So when Shenanigans Toys reached out to me about offering free high-quality storytimes with a science, technology, engineering, and mathematical twist, I was so thrilled! We’ll be working together […]
Welcome to the brand new Computer Science department! For FABLAB and Quest this semester, Ms. Wilkens and I are asking: Whose Computer Science Department is it, anyway? To answer, we’re handing the reins to students in grades 5-8 to plan two of our biggest events of the year: The Haunted Library and the 12 […]
Mark your calendars! Tech-Girls, Computers 4 Kids and I are throwing a Tech Girls Party with free food, books, and hands-on tech time. And you’re invited! Join us at Computers 4 Kids, in the Charlottesville IX Art Park, on Wednesday, August 14th from 5:30-7:00 PM. We’ll be hosting girl geeks from all over the area […]
Computer Science is an Open Book: Connection CS to Literacy in the K-4 Classroom was originally given at the 2019 Computer Science Institute at St. Anne’s-Belfield School. Find resources and feedback on the session’s Padlet. Feel free to join in the conversation.