In this session we will explore various projects that have been implemented in 2024/25 school year at a school without Technological Studies classrooms. The projects have been focused on coding, electronics, robotics, and design. Each of these projects are aligned with the Engineering Design Process as provided in the new TAS1O/2O curriculum.
I will discuss some of the barriers to learning JavaScript (complex build tools, needing to first understand the DOM, etc.) and how the Kid.js framework addresses these issues. Will walk through a sample activity “Simulating Dominos using JavaScript” outlined here: https://kidjs.app/activities/dominos
The advent of inexpensive and powerful 32-bit microcontrollers enabled the creation of the $6 Raspberry Pi Pico as an easy-to-program alternative to the popular Arduino family. Participants in this session will learn about the different Raspberry Pi Pico circuit boards, typical microcontroller input and output circuits, and get an introduction to MicroPython programming for microcontrollers.
The Turing programming language was an excellent tool for introducing students to programming through simple commands like drawing and moving objects, sparking creativity and curiosity. One memorable assignment was creating a landscape using primitive drawing commands, where students co-created the criteria for their work. In this presentation, I’ll show how the arcade library is the Python- based equivalent I’ve been searching for. With intuitive commands and powerful graphics, arcade makes coding fun and accessible while enabling more advanced projects. See how arcade combines Turing’s simplicity with modern programming tools, making it ideal for engaging students in coding.