Grants In Action
August 2021
School: Stone Canyon Elementary Teacher: Julie Musser, Technology Teacher
Julie Musser received an OEF grant titled “Take it to the Mat” in April, 2021, for 5 Wonder Sketch Kits and 5 Wonder Sketch Kit Mats. As the technology teacher at Stone Canyon, Julie will use the kits with the 2nd – 5th graders. Each kit contains 6 dry erase markers, a marker harness, a vinyl whiteboard mat, an eraser, and 6 project cards. These items integrate with the Wonder DASH Robots that Owasso Public Schools had previously purchased for students to learn introductory coding.
“While my students enjoyed coding the robots and seeing them in action, they were ready for “more”. As soon as the items were purchased and received, they were put into action,” said Mrs. Musser. The Wonder markers and mats are already enhancing the standards that Mrs. Musser teaches. Student planning and analysis, synthesis, and evaluation have increased the rigor of the learning standards.
Students began by drawing models and writing code for designs of their own. They utilized geometry and measurement concepts to write their algorithms and programs to create accurate path lengths and angles of the designs, and include commands such as marker up and marker down to complete the design. With the purchase of these kits, students now have the opportunity to extend what they have already learned in Blockly code to create more innovative projects. “They can use engineering and problem-solving skills to code their DASH robots so that they can digitally design and visually see creations such as bridges, houses, letters, and shapes come to life.”