Penn State Berks will hold a workshop for teachers to learn how to engage students in STEM subjects by incorporating robots in the classroom on Saturday, October 25, 2014, from 9 a.m.?3 p.m. in the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building. This workshop is for elementary school teachers (grades 4-6); middle school math and science teachers; and high school computer science, math, physics, and technology education teachers. The fee is $75 per person, and it includes materials, refreshments, and lunch.
According to industry experts, this is an excellent time to consider using robots to get students engaged and motivated to learn STEM concepts. A wide variety of educational robots, some of which can be purchased at relatively low cost, are now available in the market. This workshop will provide educators with an opportunity to learn how to use robots to actively engage students in learning math and science concepts. Participants will learn how to build and program robots and discuss ways to embed activities using robots in their lesson plans. Participants will also learn which math, science, and technology concepts will be suitable for incorporating the use and design of robots and how such lessons will align with the PA Core Standards for each grade level.
Participants will learn how to use components to make low-cost but very sophisticated robots for about $100. For an example of this type of robot, visit: http://lowcostrobotics.wordpress.com/.
In addition, participants will learn about the Finch robots, which are designed to support an engaging introduction to the art of programming. To learn more about these robots visit: http://www.finchrobot.com/.
Schedule (Subject to change)
9 a.m.?Welcome and Overview ?
9:15 a.m.?Participants work on projects ?
10 a.m.?Open discussion of activity ?
10:30 a.m.?Connecting activities to standards ?
11:30 a.m.?Case Studies: Incorporating robots in elementary and high school classrooms ?
12:15 p.m.?Lunch ?
1 p.m.?Participants work on group projects ?
2 p.m.?Discussion of activity ?
2:30 p.m.?Next steps ?
3 p.m.?Wrap up
Instructors for the workshop include Michael Robinson, Dr. Mahsa Kazempour, and Curt Minich. Robinson is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at Penn State whose research area focuses on ways to make self-driving cars avoid accidents. Kazempour, Associate Professor of Science Education at Penn State Berks, teaches such courses as Science Methods for Elementary Education Majors and Environmental Science and her research focuses on the professional development of both prospective and in-service teachers and ways to improve K-16 science instruction. Minich is a high school AP computer science teacher with more than 20 years experience at Wyomissing Area High School and over 15 years experience as an adjunct instructor at Penn State Berks who teaches introductory and advanced courses that focus on programming languages, problem solving, application development, and general logic.
For more information, call Continuing Education at 610-396-6225 or to register, visit berks.psu.edu/ce and click on the link on the far right of the page or visit /sites/default/files/campus/noncredit_registration_form_nocc.pdf.
