Developed by the Science Museum of Western Virginia, this educator outline was written for an in-museum program that addresses computational thinking. Teachers and students in grades 3-4 will expand knowledge of computer science algorithms and programming content while working through the activities "Flossbot" and "Edison Bot Activity".

*Edison bots are used for the second activity.

Key concepts include:
computer science
coding
programming
binary
computer
robot
loop
bug/ debug

Computer Science skills are essential in today’s society. The development of these skills in grades K-12 is a critical component of preparing graduates for entry into the workforce or to pursue higher education coursework.  In order to prepare students with these skills, the Virginia Department of Education has a variety of different coursework options that students may choose in preparation for careers and higher education.

Students will learn about cybersecurity and the importance of passwords to create a poster and commercial to show their NetSmartz, over a two-day lesson.

This lesson can be taught during a science lesson, as it relates to Science K.7b. It also relates to other core curriculum (English K.8e beginning, middle, and end; Science K.1 observing and investigating; Math K.13 patterns; K.9 patterns in nature; History K.1c sequencing events) and could be modified and integrated there, as well.

Springing off of the picture book The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi, students contemplate diverse cultures and customs before learning about how a computer program translates English to binary code. This resource combines ELA with computer science and includes interactive read aloud questions, a discussion about culturally diverse backgrounds, review of the prefix bi-, introduction of binary language (with a translation chart), and instructions to create binary bracelets.

The student will learn parts of a computer by exploration and creating their own computer.

Students will be creating a timeline outlining the important dates, events, and people tied to the beginning/formation of colonial Virginia all the way up until the Revolutionary War.

This is a follow-up lesson to One Word: My Mantra which will allow students to write their "one word" in a different language and create classroom decor that will remind them how the classroom community is linked together to support one another in staying focused on their goals.

Lesson to support cross curricular instruction of the Computer Science Standards of Learning.

Students will create their own PSA on computer science, highlighting impacts of computing and a data-related career (e.g. data analyst, data scientist, data engineer, data architect).

Students will work cooperatively to design a paper airplane and collect data, then record and analyze the data using a computer.

The students will learn about plagiarism, identify plagiarism, and the importance of giving credit for using others' work.

Essential Skill(s):Students should explain why they should not share personal information.Essential Question:What information can I share with others?

From Common Sense Education: “The Internet is filled with all kinds of interesting people, but sometimes, some of them can be mean to each other. With this role play, students understand why it’s often easier to be mean online than in person, and how to deal with online meanness when they see it.”

Create different quadrilaterals using the geoboard and use these shapes to show how information can be transmitted in different ways via a network.

Developed by the Science Museum of Western Virginia, this educator outline is intended to assist in guiding middle school-aged students through various activities using the Rokit Smart robot kit. The Rokit Smart utilizes Arduino, a widely-used open-source environment for programming that enables users to create interactive electronic objects.  Designed through modules, the activities can be grouped to fit after-school, summer camp, or other student enrichment needs.  

Developed by the Science Museum of Western Virginia, this educator outline is intended to assist in guiding middle school-aged students through various activities using the Rokit Smart robot kit. The Rokit Smart utilizes Arduino, a widely-used open-source environment for programming that enables users to create interactive electronic objects.  Designed through modules, the activities can be grouped to fit after-school, summer camp, or other student enrichment needs.