Knowing that students need the skills to be prepared for the future in a technology-driven world, elementary school librarian Selinda Stout set out on a mission to introduce all K-5 students to block coding in the school library.

For her efforts, she has been named a Sunburst Digital Innovator.

Ms. Stout wrote a case study for the educational curriculum software company on the implementation of the Dot and Dash robots in the school library. She first discussed with her students many different types of robots. Her next step was a collaborative project with music teacher Lisa Scrom, where students wrote their own compositions and then used iPads to program the robots in the library to perform their original songs.

Her culminating project was a March Madness Basketball Challenge. Using coding concepts the students learned, they investigated how distance and energy affected the launchers’ aim and competed against one another where the robots actually shot hoops. She also created surveys for the students to share their experience with these powerful and playful tools that served as an introduction to computer science.

“We are so proud of Ms. Stout for the work she has accomplished with robotics and coding for our elementary students,” said Jessica Schmettan, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “These type of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) opportunities help our students develop critical 21st-century skills which directly align with the district’s digital literacy goals.”

To read more about the project, click below

http://wonderworkshop.sunburst.com/ww_case-study_stout.pdf