Mr. McIntosh

Link to story: http://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2017/09/06/back-to-school-trends-2017/553536001/

At the end of each quarter I ask my students to reflect on their work.  The end of the year has arrived and I think I’ll take a moment and reflect on the year.  Challenge Lab has been a perpetually evolving place that has fostered an environment for students to be creative, critically think, communicate, and collaborate.  At one point during the year we had an intriguing class discussion about the importance and the meaning of the 4 C’s. After the class discussion the 4 C’s table was born and at the end of every class students would write their name next each “C” they demonstrated.  After they wrote their name next to each “C” on the table I would ask them how they demonstrated each “C” they selected.  I found that students discovered a deeper meaning about the 4 C’s and why they are important skills in their lives.  Challenge Lab challenges students to go outside of their comfort zone and take risks to reap great rewards.  This year students programmed robots, built drones, programmed drones, designed apps, explored 3-D models of atoms with zSpace (virtual reality computers), 3-D printed, created multimedia projects, and created contemporary art projects.  Challenge Lab is a living example of the STEAM acronym and more importantly this a place where meaningful relationships are developed.  

Have a great summer.

-Mr. Mac

Spheros have arrived and students are rolling into the Challenge Lab to give them a spin.  Spheros are gyroscopic robots that can be programmed remotely with a mobile device.  In the Challenge Lab students program Spheros with iPads using the Lightning Lab App.  The Lightning Lab App provides opportunities for students to learn about programming.  The app includes a visual block-based building interface that allows to students to easily create and run programs. This app also provides activities such as the Chariot STEM Challenge and Planetary Motion.  Teachers can create accounts for students and track the progress of each activity.                   

Mrs. Abrahamsen and Mrs. Rastelli recently had their students programming Spheros.  Students have been able to develop computational thinking skills by programming Spheros to create geometrical shapes while exploring inertial measurement units and electromotive force.  It has been amazing to watch students program these rolling robots.