Arts & Bots and Global Awareness and Autism

I had the distinct pleasure today to teach the first ever class in the Utah Valley University Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism DURING the ribbon-cutting ceremony - think media coverage, large crowds, heightened emotion. So, what did I teach?

Arts & Bots, of course!

For this event, we combined the final exam periods for our Elementary Education pre-service program Instructional Media and Creative Arts Methods courses into a 4-hour experience. We discussed the mission of the CREATE Lab - to empower children of all walks of life, and particularly those who are underserved, at-risk, and perhaps on the Autism spectrum, to learn and grow and succeed. We then spent some time getting familiar with the Hummingbird board and all of its inputs and outputs and practicing some basic computer science concepts before getting to their task.

The learning target for the day was to: Represent a local, regional, national, or global issue you are concerned about using visual art and robotic components. They were inspired by a model created by an 11-year old, using fine art as backdrops for the life cycle and endangered status of sea turtles. They then created their own works through re-mixing and creation of original pieces that explored the issues of climate change, poverty, diverse classrooms, and more.

This was an eye-opening experience for these future teachers as they considered how technology, arts, and project-based learning might both hugely benefit broad populations of students and simultaneously cover more curriculum across more subjects in less time than traditional, sequential teaching methods.

It was an honor and a privilege to teach in this context today, using Arts & Bots as a vehicle to communicate love and concern for all children in our school system!​


Utah gets artsy (and botsy) as new Satellites receive Arts & Bots training

"I feel more prepared to try coding with my 5th graders"
says LeAnne Jones, Iron County School District teacher 




On the first weekend of February, Satellite Network partner ASSET STEM Education led an Arts & Bots workshop for Utah CREATE Lab Satellites. 

28 faculty and partner educators from Southern Utah University Center for STEM Teaching and Learning (SUU), Utah Valley University School of Education (UVU) and Utah STEM Action Center (that is coordinating the expansion of the Satellite Network into Utah) participated in the two-day workshop. Participants learned everything from identifying components to programming a robot using 5 different languages, including the new BirdBlox app based programming via iPads. Here is what some participants had to say about the experience:


Suzy Cox, Associate Professor at UVU:

This training was a valuable first step in orienting our school and district partners toward not just the use of coding and robotics in the classroom, but the types of thinking that these activities help to develop across the curriculum. We are excited for the next step, and already have partners who are ready to integrate Arts & Bots into their instruction. Plus, it was so fun to combine coding and creativity!


Bill Heyborne, Associate Professor at SUU:

We had the opportunity to train five elementary school teachers and four university faculty on the use of Arts & Bots. We are so excited to begin using this project in our teaching and professional development. In fact, it only took one of our teacher partners 2 days to begin using the technology with her students. We look forward to a long partnership with the CREATE Lab on this exciting and timely project.


Darwin Deming, Science Teacher, Mount Nebo Junior High:

At first the training for the Arts and Bots seemed like it would be applicable to only a technology class, but as we went through the training, it was apparent that it could be applied to a variety of curriculum. The trick is you need to get creative!

Lynae Puckett, School Librarian, North Elementary:

The Hummingbirds are an excellent fit for my library makerspace. I started the 5th graders in my school just a few days after I came back from the workshop. We've already talked about the different components and their possible uses. The next time they rotate through we will start making the connection between the hardware and programming pieces. I really enjoyed the workshop. The facilitators were patient and enthusiastic, and I have a lot of great ideas for applications at my school.



Cecily Heiner, Assistant Professor at SUU:

I thought the cup-bot project was cool because it was so simple and still helped people learn electronics and robotics, and I thought the concept of using painters tape and hot glue to hold things together and still be able to re-use them was also great! I think you should add string and maybe balloons or tubes to your stuff stash for building robots.


CREATE Lab Satellites in Utah and this workshop made possible by Infosys Foundation USA

Messages from Hollis Innovation Academy

Message from Me goes to Atlanta

"The Message from Me training allowed the Hollis teachers to learn how to utilize technology in their classrooms to help their students develop stronger communication skills. This unique app is developed with kids in mind, and teachers at Hollis have already begun implementing the program in their classrooms. I'm excited to see what comes next." - Tamara Peason, CEISMC

On January 28, 12 teachers from the Washington Cluster of Atlanta Public Schools attended a Message from Me workshop at Hollis Innovation Academy.  The training was hosted by PAEYC’s Katie Gullone and the CREATE Lab's Emily Hamner, in partnership with CEISMC, the CREATE Lab Satellite in Atlanta

(pictured above: Katie and Emily walk participants through the MFM setup)

The day began with an overview of how young children typically use technology in the classroom. Teachers and trainers discussed ways that Message From Me can start student-centered conversations in the Washington Cluster.

Participants then used their iPads to photograph student activities in their school and shared them using the Message From Me app.

(pictured above: Teachers take photos to share on MFM)

(pictured above: CEISMC's Tamara Pearson helps participants set up MFM, including Hollis principal, Diamond Jack)

Through an ongoing partnership with CESIMC and the CREATE Lab, teachers at the Hollis Innovation Academy plan to implement the program school-wide in the 2017-2018 school year.

This work is supported by the Infosys Foundation

Robots Makes the World Go Round

CEISMC is kicking off Arts & Bots in Atlanta

With Infosys Foundation USA and Blank Family Foundation support, Arts & Bots is making its way to Atlanta. This Monday CEISMC, the local CREATE Lab Satellite, hosted a workshop at Hollis Innovation Academy team. The training was lead by BirdBrain Technologies LLC with support from the CREATE Lab. Check out what participants had to say below. Also, check out what was going down during the training via social media.

"The training gave me the tools needed to incorporate Arts and Bots and the EL curriculum to implement the lesson within my classroom. I enjoyed working with my colleagues to build a robot that made the Earth spin. Enjoyable experience; loved the collaboration aspect of programming"

"The Arts and Bots training was so inspiring. I can't wait to see what my students do with Hummingbird."

"Today's experience was fun, imaginative and creative. I enjoyed working with my peers on creating a robot."

"I appreciated having the opportunity to explore in building and programming. I also appreciated the opportunity to grapple and have productive struggle as we collaborated on building our robot. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience."

"I enjoyed collaborating with my team and experiencing the challenges that many of my students will face as they create their project."


Utah Satellites Zoom into GigaPan

"I cannot tell you how excited I am," wrote Kerstin Bolton, a teacher from North Elementary school in Cedar City that participated at a GigaPan workshop at Southern Utah University this November. Bolton used the GigaPan website the next morning in her classroom. "I used a picture of Rome to start our discussion for our lesson. Every one of my students was engaged in the conversation and in awe of the details they could see when we zoomed in on the picture. They are very eager to create their own GigaPan picture!"

At the workshop, members of the Marshall University CREATE Lab Satellite shared GigaPan techniques and practices with teams from the new Satellites at Utah Valley University and Southern Utah University and some of the partners they support. The new Satellites will be offering professional development, support and GigaPan equipment lending library to the educators they serve. This work is made possible by generous support from Infosys Foundation USA. 

Read on to hear what some of the participants had to say and check out some of their great work: 

Bill Heyborne of Southern Utah University - "The opportunities for using this technology for engaging our students is endless. We anticipate tremendous usage in the coming months and years," said Heyborne, who leads the Satellite at Southern Utah University. "The faculty from the SUU Center for Teaching and Learning are very excited to begin using GigaPan in our professional development activities, as well as with our own University students."/p>


Southern Utah University Upper Quad by Bill Heyborne (SUU) 

Kerstin Bolton of North Elementary - "The training on the GigaPan was highly engaging. The hands-on component, as well as the printed directions and support, from trainers made learning the process of setting up and utilizing the GigaPan a breeze. To further enhance the training there were several in-depth conversations discussing applications of the GigaPan, resources, and website. I was able to immediately return to school the next day and not only access but utilize the resources which were available. My students were highly engaged and excited at new learning opportunities. "


SUU College Of Education Stained Glass by Krista Ruggles (UVU)

Jackie Grant of Southern Utah University - "Because I am a part of the Southern Utah University Semester in the Parks program, I was exceptionally interested in learning how to use Gigapan technology from the CREATE team. We take our students to national parks all over the region, which gives us a phenomenal opportunity to use Gigapan to introduce students to each park's unique resources. After a day of working with the CREATE team, I felt confident about using the equipment and integrating it in my courses."


Alisa Petersen of Southern Utah University - "I loved the GigaPan training. It was great to be able to explore the website and talk about it as a group of educators. I was not surprised at how many really different and interesting ideas the participants had about how to use the online resources with different student populations. I also enjoyed getting to use the technology. I felt that the written directions about how to prepare the camera settings and assemble the camera, tripod, and GigaPan were so thorough and helpful. I was pleased with how easy the stitch software was to use.

I have lots of ideas for using GigaPan and introducing it to teachers and students in our area. I am planning to teach an introductory session at the statewide Utah Art Educators Conference in February for K-12 arts teachers. In the summer I will host a two day workshop at SUU for elementary classroom teachers and arts teachers about how to use GigaPan and Visual Thinking Strategies.

I'm even finding all kind of applications for GigaPan on campus at SUU. Just today I recommended the GigaPan website to an honors professor who is teaching a freshman cohort in SUU's Jumpstart program. They are studying National Parks this year. I think GigaPan is a perfect tool for them."


Outside Roots of Knowledge by Susy Cox (UVU)

New Satellites & partners make trek to Pittsburgh

If you haven't heard already, the Satellite Network has expanded beyond the Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia region to include CREATE Lab Satellites in Atlanta and Utah.

With great support from the Infosys Foundation USA, CREATE Lab has established partners in both areas to provide educators with tools and training to help their students learn about technology and adapt it to their individual and community needs.

The new satellites made their first visit this summer to begin exploring technology and develop ways of implementation.

The visit went great! Just ask our new partners...

Alisa Petersen of Southern Utah University - "I felt honored to visit the CREATE Lab. My visit gave me a much clearer understanding of the Lab and its purpose. Seeing how Satellite partners at multiple universities are using the CREATE technologies in diverse ways within their K-12 networks helped me understand how well this project will fit into SUU's existing programs and partnerships. I am looking forward to sharing these technologies with educators and children here in Utah."

Tamara Pearson of Georgia Tech's CEISMC - "I truly enjoyed learning more about the vision and possibilities that exist within the satellite network.  Meeting the other partners, hearing about the exciting tools, and engaging in rich and meaningful discussions left me inspired to develop ways to engage youth in Atlanta in technology for social good."

Vessela Ilieva of Utah Valley University - "Visiting the CREATE lab was a rich experience of becoming more knowledgeable of the lab projects and their K-12 applications. The school visit created a context for specific classroom implementations and stimulated discussions about learning opportunities with the projects."

Lizanne Destefano of Georgia Tech and CEISMC - "Wonderful to recognize that we are part of a vibrant, diverse network."

Ray Whittier of Cedar North Elementary in Utah - "We enjoyed two inspiring days at CMU that helped us to see the possibilities of what we can do with CREATE Lab products. We flew home with confidence and creativity--ready to implement!"

Tami Goetz of Utah STEM Action Center - "The ability to see the projects in action, in the schools with kids and teachers, was fantastic! Talking to the CREATE Lab team helped me to not only see how we can implement their projects in Utah, but I see numerous other opportunities to collaborate with them."

Bill Heyborne of SUU Center for STEM Teaching and Learning - "What a great experience getting to meet the CREATE Lab Network team! At a time when there seems to be so much wrong with education in this country, uniting with this group to talk about something so fun, fresh and engaging, gave me renewed hope for finding solutions to some of our toughest educational problems."






New Satellite using Finch for lower elementary students.

Traditionally, the Finch robot has been predominantly used by older students. That is until our new Stellite in Utah gets their hands on them...

In coordination with The Utah STEM Action Center and Infosys Foundation USA, Southern Utah University is establishing themselves as a CREATE Lab Satellite. One of their major projects will utilize Finch Robots which allow children as young as kindergarten to program and operate a fun and simple robot. Souther Utah will be one of few organizations using this technology for a younger audience. 

Souther Utah will also be using Arts & Bots and GigaPan. 

Click here for more information on the new Satellites in Utah and Atlanta. 

For more details on our partners in Utah check out their press release. 



CREATE Lab and Infosys Foundation USA forging partnership

Carnegie Mellon University's CREATE Lab has received a grant from Infosys Foundation USA to expand the CREATE Lab Satellite Network. The CREATE Lab explores socially meaningful innovation to empower a technologically fluent generation and everyday citizens.

“We are thankful for Infosys Foundation USA’s support,” said CREATE Lab Director of Outreach, Dror Yaron. “Collaborating with them and their extended community enables us to work with like-minded groups who share our passion to enable people from all walks of life to create socially meaningful innovation.”

CREATE Lab and Infosys Foundation USA have identified Salt Lake City and Atlanta as initial locations for the Satellite labs.

Together with key partners CREATE Lab has identified the Washington cluster of Atlanta Public Schools as an area of great need and opportunity. The initial Satellite development and efforts will start there with a new K-8 STEM Academy, scheduled to open in Washington this fall.  This will be the centerpiece and demonstration site in Atlanta. Key partners in Atlanta are Georgia State, Georgia Tech, CEISMC, Atlanta Public Schools, and the Blank Foundation.

In Utah, the Lab and Infosys Foundation USA are working with Tamara Goetz, director of Utah’s STEM Action Center. The STEM Action Center prioritizes STEM education, which works to develop Utah’s workforce of the future. The program drives research and implementation of STEM education best practices across Utah.

Vandana Sikka, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation USA, said, “The Carnegie Mellon CREATE Lab is a wonderful combination of innovative hands-on technology programs and local community action.  By combining these powerful forces we can empower the next generation of students with the creative confidence to be successful.”


About Infosys Foundation USA

Infosys Foundation USA is focused on bridging the digital divide in America by supporting high quality computer science education and coding skills with a particular focus on under-represented communities. It aims to give children and young adults the skills they need to become creators, not just consumers, of technology.  In pursuit of this mission, in 2015 alone, the Foundation has partnered with many internationally acclaimed non-profits and institutions like Code.org, New York Academy of Sciences, DonorsChoose.org, and the CREATE Lab at Carnegie Mellon University. In addition, Infosys Foundation USA recently committed a million dollars to the Infy Maker Awards to inspire makers across the U.S. to demonstrate creative excellence in making projects with genuine impact.

 

Learn more at infosys.org/USA and follow on Twitter @InfyFoundation or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InfosysFoundationUSA