Future Focused Manipulatives: Merging Math, Science and Coding through Drone Exploration

Outline

Introduction (10 minutes)
-Welcome and Icebreaker: Introduce yourself and ask participants to share their experiences with coding, drones, or technology in the classroom.
-Objective Overview: Present the workshop objectives and outline the agenda.

Understanding Coding Concepts (15 minutes)
-Presentation: Introduce essential coding concepts (variables, loops, conditionals) relevant to math and science.
-Use visuals and examples to illustrate each concept.
-Group Discussion: Facilitate a brief discussion on how these coding concepts can be applied in mathematics (e.g., data analysis, geometric calculations) and science (e.g., simulations, experiments).

Drones and Geometric Concepts (15 minutes)
-Demonstration: Show how drones can be used to reinforce geometric concepts, such as angles, shapes, and coordinates.
-Demonstrate basic flight patterns that illustrate geometric principles.
-Hands-On Activity: Divide participants into small groups and provide them with a set of coding challenges (e.g., coding a drone to fly in a specific geometric shape or angle).
-Allow groups to brainstorm how they can integrate these activities into their classroom.

Strategies for Student Engagement (10 minutes)
-Presentation: Discuss strategies for increasing student engagement and challenge through coding across the curriculum.
-Explore project-based learning, collaborative activities, and real-world applications of coding.

Wrap-Up and Q&A (10 minutes)
-Sharing Session: Invite each group to share their coding challenge and how they envision using drones in their teaching.
-Q&A: Address any questions participants may have about coding, drones, or integrating technology into their curriculum.

Closing (5 minutes)
-Reflection: Ask participants to write down one key takeaway and one action they will implement in their classroom based on the workshop.
-Resources: Distribute handouts with coding resources, drone applications, and sample lesson plans for further exploration.

Supporting research

ISTE Book - Coding + Math
Mathematics and Coding Research (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1A0m_McCAxdfxQ8HZJvpBoffjs5dLMCuj)