Virtual Professional Development: Intro to the Hummingbird Robotics Kit

Virtual Professional Development: Intro to the Hummingbird Robotics Kit

Highlights:

This introductory workshop is designed for groups of up to 25 educators interested in learning how to integrate the Hummingbird Robotics Kit and engineering design & computer science into an educational setting. Educators will learn to use, program, and teach with the Hummingbird Robotics Kit. A variety of different activities will be covered with a focus on projects that use the Hummingbird's motors, lights, and sensors. Instruction will follow and expand on many free resources available through BirdBrain Technologies.

3 Hour Live Virtual Learning

BirdBrain Technologies offers 3 hours of interactive instruction for up to 25 participants via Zoom. This 3-hour PD can be purchased multiple times for additional hours. The total hours can be split into multiple sessions that best fit your team's schedules and learning goals. Educators can join from one or various locations, and this is a hands-on experience! Participants will have opportunities to build and program robots throughout the training (recommendation is 1 robot kit : 2 educators).

The typical training agenda is as follows:

Asynchronous Learning: 

Educators will leave the training with a HyperDoc of links to easy-to-use, always available resources and materials including:

•  Self-paced, asynchronous PD courses for educators
• 16+ Student video tutorials for programming support
• Printable learning materials

Student Session with CodeJoy: 

Every training package includes 1 free CodeJoy Students session, serving up to 400 students at once! In 30-45 minutes students learn to code and watch as their code controls real robots in the CodeJoy studio, live! This is an incredibly flexible and unique in-school field trip experience. Learn more and see available session themes, from Robot DJ to Robot Mini Golf, at www.CodeJoy.org.

What is the Hummingbird Robotics Kit?

The Hummingbird Robotics Kit serves as a classroom-ready expansion board for the BBC micro:bit, including all the motors, LEDs, and sensors to go with it. It is ideal for 3rd-12th grade classrooms of beginner or intermediate learners. The Hummingbird Kit takes care of the electrical engineering for students, so they can just plug in a component and start coding. The Hummingbird Kit is designed to be combined with common craft supplies to make robots that are crafty, approachable, and fun! Projects span subject areas which makes this an excellent tool for interdisciplinary STEM education.

Is this training good for beginners?

Yes! No robotics, coding, or computer science experience is required. The training is designed to serve teachers who are either A) new to coding and robotics education themselves, with little to no experience in teaching CS; or B) planning to work with students who are new to coding and robotics education.

I already work with other robotics tools. Will this workshop be boring?

Not a chance -- you'll be coding and building alongside us! In addition to a review of the basics of robotics (inputs, outputs), you'll learn building hacks to make mechanisms with recycled materials, and coding tips for working with Hummingbird-specific blocks. Have you ever designed a robotic scene of a poem or a Shakespeare sonnet? We expect that you'll end the workshop inspired to push the creative boundaries of robotics.

What do participants need?

All participants will need a computer, Chromebook, tablet, iPad, or smartphone. We ask that groups choose between either using solely mobile devices (tablet, iPad, smartphone) or solely computers (Mac, Windows, Chromebook). Participants should also have access to a Hummingbird Robotics Kit so that they can actively participate in coding and activities (1 robot kit : 2 educators))

Can participants be in various locations?

Yes! Due to the flexible nature of online teaching, we are able to support up to 25 participants from various locations.

What programming (coding) language will we work with?

The following languages are available: Makecode (computers, Chromebooks), BirdBlox (iPads, tablets), or Snap! (Chromebooks, computers). Our team is happy to recommend one for you in the coordination process.