The Raspberry Pi-up-a-tree is functioning well. Data stream is here: www.flickernet.net/data with further information on the wider STEM based outdoor learning project here: www.flickernet.net/s2l
Huge thanks to Pete for an immense array of Micro:Bit ideas today. Thanks also to Jenny for hosting us – the Enthuse Partnership gained great guidance today with seasoned educationalists aplenty to inspire us throughout the afternoon.
..because the tweeting might sound better here: @flickernet@techhub.social
I am so excited to be joining Keith and the team at Digital Writes. Over the year ahead I will be helping with their wonderful mission to encourage reading and writing through the creation of interactive game books: imagined, planned and built by pupils from multiple schools and community groups.
This will be the first time that Flickernet has teamed up with a different organisation in this way:
This is the first of two environment monitors under preparation to provide real-time data and imagery from two distinct environments: rural and urban.
It will stream information about the air quality including pollutant gases and particulates as well as light / sound and weather data.
codename: johnket
Robert from ARM has inspired me with his confidence in the Micro:Bit as a means to create sensors that will support STEM learning. Robert’s experience in seeing physical computing integrated into schemes of work encourages me to explore this avenue.
https://www.arm.com/resources/education/schools
Delighted and excited to be offering App-building for Key Stage 3 pupils with a new after-school club.
goIT is an internationally recognised initiative to inspire young people to learn to develop their own solutions in the context of the UN Global Goals. We will be using MIT AppCreator as well as following the goIT design development principles.
ARC have created a gas-detecting patrol robot for the PA Competition – it really needs a name now.. Gasbot 3000 ?!
the ARC demo robot has three functioning brains, two (Pi) on WiFi and one on Bluetooth but has not yet rumbled out of the door.. Sensor readings are rather erratic and the head-mounted servo obeys no known code. On the plus side Motors coping with the combined weight and Meccano providing a strong exoskeleton. Also the camera works!
More details here:
The Advanced Robotics Club began today: so many competitions to choose from, and a talented team of enthusiastic pupils who knew exactly how to assemble the new kit!
Aided by a batch of pre-loved Meccano, the ARC demonstration robot has got a form, of sorts!
The first parts have begun arriving for the new robot. This is an air quality sensor..
Our photo editing competition showcased pupil creativity, with an unexpected twist, in that the finalists opted to choose characters from the world of politics.
Who knew that there was so much humour to be found in the political machinations of 2020.?!
We have been experimenting with the creation of an online escape room!
The first puzzle is the hardest. Here is a clue to help to get you going:
line / word / letter
It is here, good luck!
Looking ahead to next academic year, it seems likely that we will need to delay resuming Code Club until Term 3, although there is a chance that we can find a way to meet safely in a larger classroom ahead of that.
Please keep an eye on www.flickernet.net/codeclub for updates.
In the meantime congratulations to Ryan P (Year 9) who has a wide range of Scratch 3 games featured on the site.
Our new Code Club will be starting at LPA next week!
It is invitation only this term (starting with KS3, helped by three KS5)
The links page is here
This is the big blue bunny rabbit that our children spotted whilst on holiday in Dorset. It was for sale for the quite reasonable price of 50p. After some debate over who would be making the purchase, he was presently in the bag / saved from landfill / one of the family.
The parting words of the stall holder rang in my ears, a clarion call to action: “you can connect your phone to it and stuff”
what stuff I wondered. What might it be capable of?
A google later and I had the app. The connection was made to the bunny but there was another connection to make, this time to a news story:
theregister.co.uk/2017/03/01/cloudpets_woes_worsen_mics_can_be_pwned/
oh dear. The batteries were swiftly removed.
Now in the depths of winter I have taken the final step to remedy matters for my son to enjoy his improbably treasured bunny:
and sew it ends!
Sometimes chopping a database up and sorting into into 1st, 2nd and 3rd normal form on the very floor works best!
Demonstrating automated systems to Year 9 with a Raspberry Pi 4, breadboard mounted PIR and resulting monkey on patrol.!
A full weekend of study at Bath University. Being presented with the opportunities and the potential of Raspberry Pi by those who know it best. My thanks to Dan, Mark, Laura and Alan for an amazing time.
Popping into a Year 7 Science lesson I was perplexed to find all the pupils elevating laminated symbols above their heads as their teacher held her phone up to scan the scene.
The data promptly appeared on the white board at the front. This was my first taste of Plickers in action – now I am keen to give it a go!
There is something fascinating revealed on those rare occasions when computer hardware (here at Heathrow) reveals what it is really thinking.!
We recorded our responses to pupil debating using an agreement / disagreement selector on the screen of each pupil: as persuasion shifts the balance, so the background colour indicates the viewpoint of each pupil around the room.
After a little father and son time, the latest iteration of the Garage Robot is born! Upon being shared as the designated show-and-tell item, the spinning motor jams on, resulting in a scene of suitable chaos in the classroom with the robot determinedly making the most of its chance to take a turn at the front!
The high security screen saver has been compromised: busy hands have been adding fish galore!
at least these fish can’t be overfed.!
Enjoyed meeting Claire Penketh today at BCS HQ.
We chatted about the CS Accelerator course. She has turned our chat into an article here.
Thanks Claire!
Please use this form to send me feedback / request new links to be put on to the Code Club page or to share your great ideas. Thank you.
Testing out a Crowd Beamer unit lent to us by the parent of a pupil. It transmits the video signal (though not the audio) via a dedicated WiFi channel which pupils can then view, zoom in to and capture on their own devices.
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
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..
Thanks to Andy Andy Andrew Mark and Paul for a great welcome to their Raspberry Jam, hosted at the Waterworth building of the University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham campus.
We demonstrated the Cigar Box Computer in action and enjoyed trying out the Raspberry Pi creations that were on display.
Space Invaders, using three micro-switches
Paul has built the most amazing assortment of security equipment that can even face-track and monitor overflying aircraft.
Two children are now showing great interest in Scratch, which is a very happy outcome!
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.!
Immersed in the wonderful world of historical tech at The Centre For Computing History, in Cambridge.
My thanks to Anjali and Chris for a fascinating insight into engaging techniques for the teaching of algorithms.
Their delivery of this NCCE Accelerator course was inspirational, in every sense!
Also rather enjoyed the chance to explore the adjoining facilities at lunchtime and then to have the immense space, crammed with humming / beeping / clicking tech to enjoy – until it was time to catch the bus back.!
