November 23, 2010 (Programmers)

Our meeting this time focused on starting some Scratch programs. Programmers either began learning some of the basics of Scratch or worked independently on programs.  Beginners experimented with assigning different scripts to various keys on the keyboard.  They also learned they can assign multiple controls and scripts to different sprites.  Scratch is a free download from MIT.  You can find it at www.scratch.mit.edu. 

Here are some examples of what the Programmers started with:

Emily wrote a program based on our peanut-butter-sandwich-making meeting.

Brayden experimented with changing the sizes of the sprites.

Evan made a game.

November 9, 2010 (Builders)

Typically, when we are building structures with Legos, we have something specific we are building. That's particularly true in Building Club.  I want Builders to learn different ways to use the pieces, so that they aren't stuck with stacking bricks. Ships (sailing and space) are fine (and these Builders have already come up with some incredible models), but what if you want to build a trebuchet?  You need a little something more.

Shapes

So we are going to work up those skills and challenge the Builders to put pieces together in ways they normally wouldn't think of doing.  At tonight's meeting, we started out easy, by building a frame or square, then increased the level of complexity and ingenuity required to make a variety of projects.

Swingsets

Braced Walls (and a hammer)

How many Technic bricks do you have to stack before you can get the holes in a beam to line up with the holes in the bricks?*

Folded

Extended

Once everyone had practiced making solid structures, we made a simple structure that is meant to move. Several builders put theirs to use by adding hooks and picking up Legos when it was to clean up.  Great job, everyone!

* Six. If you want to make a shorter stack, you have to use plates, too.

October 26, 2010 (Programmers)

What do you do when a program won't do what you expect it to?

This year's group of Programmer wanna-be's found out when they tried to program ME to make a peanut butter sandwich.  Their objective was to tell me the exact steps I needed to take in order to make a sandwich.  Sounds simple and I did exactly what they said.  When they said "Open the bag of bread," I ripped a hole in the side of the bag.  When they said "Flip the bread," I did...so the peanut butter was on the bottom.

The point of the activity was to demonstrate how much we take for granted when we try to describe how to do something. We understand what we mean when we give a command - whether to another person or to a computer - so it often takes us by surprise when things don't go as we expected.  As I told the kids, computers are really very stupid.  They don't know anything or understand anything other than what we tell them. Sometimes we need to explain the extra steps ("Take off the twist tie.  Open the front of the bag.").  Sometimes we need to be more explicit with our language (there is a difference between "flip" and "rotate").  The great news is that once we understand what our expectations are, it becomes easy to describe those intermediate steps.

The kids did a FANTASTIC job.  Thinking back on it, I realize there were some times when I could have been more obtuse or contrary, but not many.  They learned quickly from my "mistakes" and fixed their "program" with very few hints.

After they were done, everyone wanted a peanut butter sandwich to celebrate, although nobody wanted the first poor, mangled sandwich.

Everyone wanted to know, "why not peanut butter and JELLY?" I thought we did well enough with just one sticky substance to deal with.

A New Year - Plans for 2010-11

Some things will change drastically for the coming year.

• I hope that one of the things that will change will be the timeliness with which I update the blog!  Since I'm actually writing this in November, I would say I haven't got off to a promising start. 
• I am splitting the meetings into focus groups.  The first meeting of the month will be dedicated to Building with Legos and other construction toys.  The second meeting of the month will be dedicated to Programming, primarily with Scratch.  Members (and parents) can decide if they want to belong to one or both of the groups.
• The cost of participating has also increased. Unfortunately, Legos are not cheap and most of the supplies that the group uses have been purchased by me.  It will be $30 to participate in each focus group.  If you do not belong to another 4H Club, there is an additional $15 for membership dues for 4H.  There is a discount for more than 1 child.  You can also pay as you go.
• On the flip side, I am going to be loaning out the NXT kit and the Science and Engineering kit, along with resources for building different models.  Members who have paid their dues in full will be able to check out a kit for a month at a time.
• We have a Facebook page now.  I'm going to use it as another way to communicate about the schedule, interesting links and resources, and other events.

What will remain the same is the fun.  Every meeting will be something different and I hope exciting, even for kids who have been building with Legos for a long time.
Hope to see you!

• Thara

January 12, 2010

Continuing with Scratch

• The older Builders continued working on their Scratch programs and got the chance to test and revise someone else's program.

Building Robots

• The younger Builders began building the robot bodies we will use for the next several meetings.
  

December 1, 2009

Introduction to Scratch

• The older Builders got an introduction to Scratch and began working on their own programs

Building Challenge

• The younger Builders had three design objectives:
• Build a Bridge
• Build Something We Saw on the Field Trip
• Build a New Invention

Check out these bridges!

November 17, 2009 - College of Engineering

The great folks at the MU College of Engineering gave us a great tour of 4 labs/teams:

The Rapid Prototyping lab (I need some of those machines)








The Concrete Canoe Team (who knew you could make concrete that floats?!)





The Formula 1 Team (they started with a wrecked motorcycle--I think Mason was heartbroken)

The Hydrogen Car Team (those panels are super-light but strong enough to stand on--but not by us)