Bringing Mathematics to Life Through Coding and Robotics

Purpose & objective

Participants will be challenged with a series of real-world challenges with both physical robots and virtual robots. Each challenge targets different content standards of mathematics, computer science, coding, CTE ICT, and physical computing. With no coding or robotics experience necessary, participants will have an opportunity to program a robot to solve challenges.

Outline

1. Participants gain access to online curriculum and challenges with RoboBlocky (5 minutes).
2. Presenter will show a brief introduction to the interface (5 minutes).
3. The whole group will solve the first challenge together (5 minutes).
4. Groups and individuals will then work to solve problems 2-9. During this time, the facilitator will circulate throughout the group, facilitating discourse in mathematics, coding, and robotics. Each group will have a physical robot as well. When teams are ready, they will come to the challenge mats to show their solution. Each challenge immerses the participant in RoboTown, exploring the physical coordinate system. Each challenge surveys a different grade level and standard (50 minutes).
5. After completing the challenges participants will have a chance to dig deep into the program and curriculum, and ask questions of the facilitators. Participants will also have the opportunity to create their own programs (25 minutes).

Supporting research

Teaching math with computer programming can help narrow the achievement gap

https://edsource.org/2016/teaching-math-with-computer-programming-can-help-narrow-achievement-gap/563371

C-STEM curriculum textbooks -- http://c-stem.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/uploads/Textbooks/chlinkbot.pdf