Physical Computing and Project Based Learning for all

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My thanks to Jayne at Wroughton Academy for becoming the second school to join our Transition Group, first year prototype.

We will trial the Universal Transition Project after SATS in the Summer of 2020.

Jayne has form in Primary Computing innovation

• looking forward to working with you Jayne!

A James Bond themed evening in aid of our local primary school called for an outfit festooned with gadgetry!

Cue Q: A Rav Power block running to a chest held hub so that USB devices could attach centrally with wires tucked away!

The wrist-worn Microbit had different messages displayed including “Pay attention 007” {button B} and {when shaken}: “shaken, not stirred”  (of course!)

Having a loudspeaker was fun, although the request for “James Bond to reception, James Bond to reception” could perhaps have sounded less Tesco and more Mountain Lair.

The neo pixels of a Circuit Playground, or a heart aglow?!

The gadgetry was investigated once the mission was completed..

The Centre for Computing History was my destination once more for Day 2 of the NCCE Algorithms in GCSE Computer Science course.

Anjali and Chris were again on hand to guide our small but merry group in the ways of approaching a challenge patiently, logically and with an eye to what can be delivered through coding.

Loving the pun in the name: the concept of computing – ie applying a logical reasoned process to – history itself.!

Thank you to everyone who came along to LPA on Wednesday (20th March) for the first major gathering. There was a sense of tangible potential in the room that will make the next step – reporting on the data as a research project – a fun challenge to underpin the initiatives ahead. Thank you especially to Beverly who shared NCCE opportunities to all and for her encouragements. The mix of Primary and Secondary colleagues in one room, all sharing and documenting what they see of Transition each year – and taking the time to record those experiences with a view to improving the outlook for all pupils – was a mighty resource in action.

How many screens does it take to prepare for the Transition Group meeting?!

Thanks to Beverly and all at BCS for a great start to our NCCE Facilitator Development Program. Swindon were well represented; robots were coded; and the Primary / Secondary / Tertiary worlds of education thoroughly post-it noted!

Thank you to Graham and all at Great Western Academy for the invitation to lead their Coding Enrichment Club this term. The fact that every child operates their own laptop, and the marvellous resources were impressive – but what impressed me most was the polite, attentive and eager approach from pupils who were determined to get the most from their time, and to learn how to extend their coding skills into the realms of physical computing and Python.

Wiring up a couple of microbits using this handy guide.

Just begun assembling and preparing the parts for what I hope will be a self watering plant mechanism..

Stage 1: take delivery of a battery-powered water pistol, then open it up..

This base was able to provide 3v and 4.5 v as well as having a useful switch and speaker point.

The connector block is to simplify connecting it up to the Pi / Microbit / Circuit Playground Express

First comes the opening up, then comes the moment of truth: has it got potential for inclusion into a new project?

Consideration must be given to the old battery / leaked battery / corroded connectors scenario as well as the voltage that it will be happy to operate with..

tinfoil is a great help..

There is a distinction between where a child’s toy meets a tool meets a gadget, but there was no need to draw that distinction in today’s Year 11 Computer Science class. After a brief introduction I threw open the wooden toolbox (from Sammy’s Garage – just the thing..) to reveal a smorgasbord of delights awaiting connection and coding up.

For great value electronic kit (broken toys for the most part) Scrap Store is hard to beat.

Now for some dismantling and corroded battery removal.

 I had some help making an initial assessment of the loot..

Note a startled expression when the dog sat up and barked.!

Left for the start of my Secondary adventure this morning having watched my son bond with Big Trak – tis time for his father to ensure that he can stay one step ahead!

My thanks to Lydiard Park Academy Trust who gave me a perfect welcome today. The IT / Computing team are brilliant – seamless in their vision for excellence in delivery of this fabulous subject. Looking forward to teaching tomorrow – feeling a welling up of excitement that the time has come to focus on one subject – and to be able to explore that subject alongside a truly great team.