School Clubs

2016 - 2017

2016-2017

GRAPHIC DESIGN (3RD & 4TH GRADE)

In Graphic Design Club 3rd and 4th grade students learned about design principles and elements to design their own vector images. Ultimately students created logos for a business club in a St. Louis high school.

Logo Examples

WEB DESIGN (3RD-5TH GRADE)

In Web Design club, students designed a website using Wix. They created a website for a topic they were passionate about. They learned about web design principles and applied them when designing their website.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (5TH GRADE)

In Electrical Engineering club, students learned how to create simple circuits. They used their knowledge and skills to put together a voice recording device. They designed a casing for their device and used foam board to create their prototype.

PROGRAMMING MICROCONTROLLERS (3RD-5TH GRADE)

In Programming Microcontrollers club, students learned how to program a Hummingbird microcontroller using the Scratch programming language. Students used what they learned to design and build mechanical devices.

2015-2016

2015 - 2016

3D PRINTING

In 3D Printing Club, students created and modified 3D designs using a web-based software. After optimizing their designs with the software, students used 3D printers that deposited material through their extruders to create three-dimensional objects.

2014-2015

2014 - 2015

PROGRAMMING WITH PYTHON

In this club students learned basic programming concepts with Python, a text-based programming language that has been used by large organizations like Google, Yahoo!, and NASA. Students learned about programming to better understand the digital world around them. They also practiced problem solving and computational practices (automating, creating algorithms, implementing, testing, and debugging designs), and developed their 21st century skills (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity) while completing programming tasks.

TINKERCAD: 3D DESIGN

Students learned how to use a 3D design tool called Tinkercad to create detailed models. Students learned to group together sets of shapes and design anything they could imagine. Their models were downloaded in standard STL file formats, which is supported by all 3D printers on the market.

SIMPLE COMPUTERS

Students were introduced to a microcontroller development board. Students built circuits and interfaces to interact with the mini computer. The process involved the use of code, as well as problem-solving and decision-making skills.

PHOTOGRAPHY (4TH-5TH GRADE)

Students were introduced to basic photography concepts and skills that improved their photo-taking abilities. They learned about the manual camera controls (focus, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc.) that influenced the clarity and sharpness of their photographs. Additionally, they experienced the image editing process by altering and improving the photographs they took.

PROGRAMMING: CODING LOGIC & CONCEPTS (3RD GRADE)

Students learned a simple block-based programming language (ScratchJr) that involved basic programming logic and concepts. Students gained the ability to create their own artwork, animations, multimedia presentations or interactive stories.

2013-2014

2013 - 2014

CIRCUITS & SIMPLE MACHINES WITH

MINECRAFT REDSTONE (4TH GRADE)

Students learned about electric circuits and how they route electricity from a power source to a load (device that uses electricity). They were able to identify each component of the circuit (power source, load, switch, electrons, etc.) and describe the function of each component. After becoming content experts, students took on the role of museum curators. They create a digital “Electronic Circuits” exhibit using Minecraft.

ROBOTICS (5th Grade)

Students built robots out of LEGO pieces and programmed them to perform specific tasks. Programming these robots to perform specific behaviors helped students become active, systematic and collaborative learners. Each project involved the development of an objective, building and programming the robot, testing the robot, and modifying it to execute the objective.

PROGRAMMING (3RD GRADE)

Students learned a simple block-based programming language that involved basic programming logic and concepts. Students gained the ability to create their own artwork, animations, multimedia presentations or interactive stories.

THE GOORU SQUAD (3RD-5TH GRADE)

The Gooru Squad is an after-school club that trains students to become highly skilled Google Apps users. These tools include Google Documents, Slides, Spreadsheets, Drawing, Sites, Gmail, and Calendar. Students were provided training once a week so that they can provide support to peers and teachers during school hours.

THE APPLET TEAM (3RD-5TH GRADE)

The Applet Team is an after-school club that trains students to become highly skilled Apple device users. Students were trained in Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iPhoto, iMovie, Safari, and Garageband. Students were provided training once a week so that they can provide support to peers and teachers during school hours.

2012-2013

EBOOK PUBLISHING (4TH GRADE)

Students learned about the 5 essential elements of quality stories, and implemented these elements in their own stories. They published their stories as an eBook using the iBooks Author application. Students exported their eBooks as a PDF so that they could read them on their mobile devices.

ARCHITECTURE: BUILDING FOR CLIENTS (3RD GRADE)

Students applied the process of planning and designing a 3D architectural building model. Students learned about great architects from the past, and the principles that governed their work. To make the learning experience more authentic, the students took on the role of architects who needed to create homes for their “clients."

GOOGLE SEARCH SKILLS (5TH GRADE)

This club focused on teaching online research skills that students need to become responsible lifelong learners. Students learned to use Google Search to find relevant information faster, search for credible sources, and solve challenging questions.

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

(3RD-5TH GRADE)

This club focused on student development in fundamental basketball skills, and helping them understand basic basketball concepts. Students were divided into teams, and ultimately played in a tournament with neighboring schools.

CIVICS WITH MINECRAFT (5TH GRADE)

Students worked together to create the ideal community using the indie game, Minecraft. The purpose of this club was to develop students’ civic competence. Prior to playing Minecraft, students researched the following community elements: Culture, Different roles of members, Adapting to environment, Communication and collaboration skills, Governing power and authority, and Interdependence of communities

2011 - 2012

SIMULATION-BASED LEARNING

(3RD GRADE)

Students took on the role of a surgeon, mobile device designer, weather forecaster, and even the President of the United States! Students were provided with real world simulations that encouraged discovery learning and meta-cognitive activities.

GOOGLE CHROME APPS (2ND GRADE)

Students learned about the modern web browser, and how it provides users with apps and extensions for safe and productive use. Students were able to install extensions and apps onto their Chrome web browser, and use productivity apps to complete academic tasks.

EPORTFOLIOS (5TH GRADE)

Students created an e-Portfolio website that featured information about themselves (omitting personal information), their schoolwork, and their learning reflections. Students used Google Sites to demonstrate their mastery of content, and developed reflective skills that are essential for lifelong learners.

MOVIE-MAKING CLUB (2ND GRADE)

Students used the website, Zimmertwins.com, to create animated movies. The goal of the club was help students develop their creative thinking. Students learned:

about the different components of movie narratives (setting, characters, plot, etc.)
about cause and effect
to sequence “frames” of a movie
to develop dialogue for their characters