Overview: In this project students develop a computer game in Scratch using their understanding of loops, conditional statements, variables and events that tells the story of a hunter or gatherer from an indigenous culture of their choice. Developed by Allen Distinguished Educators, Nick Nohner and Chris Bartlo, this project integrates computer science, design, and social studies concepts and meets learning standards in computer science.

This lesson should be used after students have completed the introductory Lego EV3 block building.  This lesson wil help students get a better understanding of how to use input and output parameters.  Students will explore and identify previously used software that uses block programming.  Students will connect early interactions in Computer Science programming with the input and output parameters in Math. This lesson review input and output functions associated with the mechanics of a computer

In this lesson students will see how volcanoes as they relate to deposition work to continually change the surface of our planet.  This lesson provides visual evidence of changes that the earth undergoes in area where volcanic activity is prevalent.  Students will acquire knowledge to understand what volcanoes are, how they form, and the differnt careers that participate in creating safety precautions before volcanic activity. Students will build and program a safety device that simulates a volcano activity. This lesson can be used to supplement Unit 3 Overview Dynanic Earth: Shaping the Land, Learning Set 5.   

This lesson will allow students to build their own balloon car racer as an introduction to engineering and coding.  Each pair or team of students will be able to engineer their balloon car, measure the performance of their cars using yard sticks, and set up a basic algorithm to construct and run their machine.PURPOSEThe goals for this lesson are to: (1) integrate engineering and coding to young students; (2) have students independenty identify the steps (an algorithm) to build and improve their racers; (4) be able to spot "bugs" in their algorithm; (3) integrate measurement and addition operations to determine which car went furthest overall; and (4) teach perserverance by showing students that it is normal to find bugs in algorithms/coding.   

This is an engaging project for students who have never programmed before. Students create a musical light show by designing and programming their own Arduino-based circuit. They will problem-solve timing, frequency, color, circuit design and the language of Arduino-based programming to create custom made light-up electronic music boxes. This project was developed by Allen Distinguished Educators Tracey Winey and Dawn DuPriest.

DescriptionOverview: Lesson focuses on how software engineers design computer games and other software. Student teams work together to develop a simple computer program using free software that is available in multiple languages. Teams evaluate the games developed by other teams and present findings to the class.