Use Computational Thinking to Teach the Periodic Table Lesson Authors: Jamie Hagen-Holt and Donna Markey

Transcription

1 Use Computational Thinking to Teach the Periodic Table Lesson Authors: Jamie Hagen-Holt and Donna Markey Do your students view the periodic table as boring and illogical? Do they feel that learning about it is a waste of time? Would they rather be playing games on a computer, perhaps creating their own story and animating their own characters? Let them Scratch an Element! This is Singing Sensation, a little like American Idol but this show has an amazing contestant, the element silver from the periodic table of elements. This video was created by Mackenzie K. at Vista Magnet Middle School. Instead of memorizing atomic masses, groups and families, students use Scratch an Element, to learn about the periodic table. They research an element, investigate its history, understand its properties and create an original story. Using Scratch they learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively. They culminate the project by sharing their animations with classmates and the community. Scratch was developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab, with financial support from the National Science Foundation, Microsoft, Intel Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Google, Iomega and MIT Media Lab research consortia. iquest Lesson - NSF Project Award Number: Scratch 1

2 2. Click Control Drag When green flag is clicked. Always start every new script with this. Choose a sprite: Create your own in Paint, choose one from file, or get a surprise sprite. Place it on the screen where you want it to start. This is the XY coordinate. 1. Choose a sprite iquest Lesson - NSF Project Award Number: Scratch 2

3 3. Click Motion 4. Click Looks Set XY coordinates so the sprite will always start in this position. When green flag is clicked, what do you want to happen? The sprite can show or hide. If hide, then click Control and set time and then Looks and show. Show or Hide at the start? Add a Background! 6. Click Backgrounds Choose Paint - create your own background in Paint Import -from the preloaded files or from your own photo file Camera -use the computer s camera. 5. Click Stage. iquest Lesson - NSF Project Award Number: Scratch 3

4 Scripts required! 7. Create a script. Every sprite and background require their own script. 8. Click on a sprite to return to the sprite s script. Use the Scratch cards to explore Scratch and create your own animation! Glide Say Something Animate Move and Animate iquest Lesson - NSF Project Award Number: Scratch 4

5 Scratch an Element! - Building a Bohr Diagram of Sodium 1. Open Scratch and Select New Sprite paint New Sprite Click on Cat and delete New sprite - Paint new sprite 2. The sprites for the Bohr diagram are designed in Paint. Each ring has to be drawn separately so it can be animated separately. (Hint: Hold the SHIFT key down while drawing circle to make it perfectly round.) iquest Lesson - NSF Project Award Number: Scratch 5

6 Each sprite needs a script Each new sprite Discussion: What challenges do you foresee in doing this with your students? Are there other applications of Scratch that you might do with your students? What surprises you the most about Scratch? Students created CD cases with information about their element to create a bulletin board sized periodic table. iquest Lesson - NSF Project Award Number: Scratch 6

7 Lesson Title: Scratch an Element-Using Computational Thinking to Teach the Periodic Table Authors: Jamie Hagen-Holt, Donna Markey Overview: Take the traditional element report that middle schools students are often assigned, add computers for research and a programming tool from MIT. What is the result? A creative animation about each element that encourages computational thinking and problem-solving skills. This unit promotes student engagement and motivation by doing online research about the elements using interactive websites, creating an animation using the Scratch programming tool and showcasing their animations to the public. Students learn about creating a storyboard and meeting short-term deadlines as they complete this long-term project. Science Concepts: Each element in the periodic table has a distinct structure which results in each element having distinct properties and uses in our world. Objective 8.3 Each of the more than 100 elements of matter has distinct properties and a distinct atomic structure. All forms of matter are composed of one or more of the elements. As a basis for understanding this concept: 8.3.a Students know the structure of the atom and know it is composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons. 8.3.f Students know how to use the periodic table to identify elements in simple compounds. Pre-Activities and Concepts: Prior to this series of lessons, students learned about the structure of an atom; protons, neutrons and electrons. They were assigned an element and learned how to find information about it on the periodic table. Using interactive websites, they researched information about their element. They learned about Scratch and created a short animation, using key commands they would need for their animation. They watched a video clip of Script to Screen for The Last Samurai This clip shows how a movie script, the movie storyboard and the final film relate to each other. After exploring the Scratch program and discovering the tools that were available, they created a storyboard for their animation. Post-Activities and Concepts: When students finished their animations, they created a CD cover about their element to create a class periodic table. In order to communicate their research and projects to the public, a Scratch Festival was held for their peers, their parents, and member of the community. iquest Lesson - NSF Project Award Number: Scratch 7

8 NETS Standards ( 1. Basic operations and concepts Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems. Students are proficient in the use of technology. 3. Technology productivity tools Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity. Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works. 4. Technology communications tools Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences. 5. Technology research tools Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. 6. Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world. Support Materials (Video Links,Web links, etc): Interactive periodic table sites for students to use for research: Photos of elements: Script to Screen - A side by side look at the script, storyboard and final version of a battle scene from the film. (Flash 6.0 Plugin required) Scratch: Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy for students to create their own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share their creations on the web. Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab, with financial support from the National Science Foundation, Microsoft, Intel Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Google, Iomega and MIT Media Lab research consortia. iquest Lesson - NSF Project Award Number: Scratch 8

9 Technology/system requirements: a) Laptop or desktop computers b) Projector for demonstrations and to show video clip c) speakers connected to laptop to project sound from video d) Scratch downloaded on to each computer Material Requirements: Periodic Table Project Deadline Sheet, Storyboard Template, Research Checklist, CD Cover Template, Project Rubric Teacher Notes: Students should have knowledge of Scratch or build instructional time for Scratch into the project. Students should have background knowledge of protons, neutrons and electrons. Student should know how to find an element s symbol, atomic number and atomic mass on the periodic table. Students should have been assigned an element. Each student should have access to a computer. Lesson Elements Guide For Teachers Engage: Teacher will engage students by introducing the Bohr diagram of sodium and guiding students to create it with animated energy levels on Scratch. Students will then create a Bohr diagram of their assigned element with animation. Teacher will show video clip of Script to Screen. Teacher will use The Last Samurai (available at: to introduce students to storyboards and how they relate to the final animation. Teacher will distribute the project rubric. Explore: Depending on students background knowledge of Scratch, teachers may wish to have students explore the backgrounds and sprites so they know the tools that are available before developing their storyboards. Once they have developed a storyboard, they begin creating their animation, using the rubric as guide for including the required components. Explain: Students will demonstrate knowledge of their element by completing their Scratch animation. They will use the rubric to self-assess and peer-assess their animation, and make revisions as necessary. Evaluate: Students will present their animation at a Scratch Festival for their peers and the community. Teacher will assess the final animation using the project rubric and students will choose winners in various categories such as; Most Humorous, Best Dialogue, Most Informative, Best Sound Effects, etc. iquest Lesson - NSF Project Award Number: Scratch 9

10 Extend: Students can add voiceovers and sound effects to their animation. They can publish their animation on the Scratch website. Assessment, Product, or Outcome: Students create a Scratch animation about their element with dialogue. They will present their animation at a Scratch Festival. Evidence of ICT alignment with science concept: Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources about their element. They use technology and productivity tools to enhance learning, and promote creativity. Students problem solve and communicate information and ideas effectively. Attachment Descriptions: (student samples, worksheets, handouts, photos, rubric) Scratch Cards: Cards, available on the Scratch website, that give hints on how to use some of the commands. Periodic Table Project Deadlines: An information sheet that details the requirements and deadlines for the project. Storyboard Template: A student worksheet for creating a storyboard. Research Checklist: A checklist students can use for research. CD Cover Template: A template students can use to display their information for the classroom periodic table. Project Rubric: The rubric with which the final project is assessed. iquest Lesson - NSF Project Award Number: Scratch 10