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Join us as we demonstrate how to teach with Tinkercad. We focus on STEM education and 3D literacy for Grades 6-8, but educators of all subjects and grade ban...

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Our Boston ("Beautiful Stuff") 2018 Projects 

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Our Boston ("Beautiful Stuff") 2018 Projects 

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https://sites.google.com/bostonpublicschools.org/earlychildhood/focus-on-k2

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Olivia's Garden Plot

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Stephanie's Garden

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Theo's Home

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Ben's Busy City

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I am looking forward to introducing the design process and a maker mindset in my classroom next year. As part of the K2 curriculum, we use the design process in our construction unit. But, through this opportunity, I've been able to see ways in which I can introduce the design process into other lessons and activities. I participated in an edX course about Design Thinking, and was able to lead a mini brainstorm lesson in my classroom around a problem in the playground they would like to solve. Throughout the school year, I would like to introduce problem-solving in a design process way. I would also like to have guests come into the classroom to speak about their careers and different innovative jobs that exist, such as engineers, game designers, and coders. Not only will my students be able to see how they can solve real world problems through a design mindset, but they can meet people who are doing that in "real life". What I learned through that course was that not only does it create better thinkers and innovators, but the problems are usually around moral and social issues, so the students are actually becoming active, thoughtful citizens.

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The first experience I was involved with was the Tinkercad Webinar Series. I thought the program looked interesting and could be something I could incorporate in my kindergarten classroom. I wasn't sure how I would do so, but I felt like the students would love manipulating shapes and I could see this being a valuable program for students to explore shapes, sizes, and design. I first introduced Tinkercad as a center during our Focus curriculum as we learned about construction. Students were asked to use Tinkercad to design their own cities or homes. I didn't go much pre-teaching because I didn't really know how to use the program myself. Children are a lot quicker and more adept at technology, so I figured it couldn't hurt to see what they could do with little instruction. I encouraged them to try new things and helped them through their frustrations, but I didn't give much content instruction. The students created intricate, creative designs that acted as blueprints for cities and homes. As I learned more about Tinkercad, I was able to introduce my new knowledge to my students. For example, I didn't know how to move the shapes upwards and on top of other shapes until I took a course at the Roxbury Innovation Center. Typically during the Construction unit, students use "Beautiful Stuff", or recycled materials, to construct cities and homes. While we still did use Beautiful Stuff to make cities, using Tinkercad added a new dimension to the project. We usually use paper and pencils to make blueprints, which we still did, but we added Tinkercad as a component as well. Students were able to access the curriculum through a variety of modes, creating a more authentic, multidisciplinary project. After our unit on construction, we explored plants and gardening. I used Tinkercad as a center with my students to create garden plots. Now that we knew more about Tinkercad, we were able to create more developed, thought-out designs. Students were also able to write about their designs, making this lesson a multidisciplinary activity.

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It has been an interesting and eye-opening experience to learn so much about innovation, design, and technology. I would not call myself the most tech savvy or innovative individual, but I know how important technology is in our society. I was able to engage in learning opportunities that were well beyond my knowledge and understanding and opportunities where I was able to grow and develop as a learner. By engaging in those two types of experiences, I am able to understand where my own students may be accessing the information. I find coding and 3D modeling rewarding because they are difficult skills. There are moments of frustration and lots of problem solving needs to take place in order to be successful. I look forward to learning more about technology and innovation for both myself and my students. I have been introduced to many organizations, such as General Assembly and Roxbury Innovation Center, through this opportunity that are incredible resources.