Week 6 (30th June)

This week the scratchers focused on creating variables.  This is a huge concept for primary students to be exposed to.  It is the beginnings of appreciating how algebra works.  With variables we let a "letter" equal a number, such as a=1. We can create lots of variables (such as a=2 and b=3) and then use these variables in calculations.  So the kids set to work making programs that could help them solve maths problems.  They did a great job just in the 90 minutes of the session, and over the break, some students have developed these to look like calculators and solve addition, multiplication, subtraction and division problems.  There's such great learning going on here.

The Gurus continued working on their games and our 3 Gurus who acted as mentors to the scratchers this week did a great job to help the students craft their programs.

The Appers are still limited by the proxy settings which are stopping access to App inventor.  Many thanks to the parents and IT support who are helping to solve these issues.   Instead this week I set the Appers the task of looking at creating objects in 3D using modeling software which can slice objects.  This is very similar to how 3D printers do it.  This activity was designed to select a standard design (an apple see right) and then slice that apple into smaller pieces, that can be cut out in cardboard.  The separate pieces can then be assembled to create a final 3D apple from the separate slices.   The pdf of the slices is here which you can glue to a some card board and then assembly by stacking up the numbered sections in order.  To try it yourself:
The very simple approach
Download this one page PDF of the apple and stack to build
The more challenging approach
Goto  http://www.123dapp.com/
Register then download the application AutoDesk 123D Make
Download this Apple.stl file (image of an apple generated by Omar Zuniga, Arizona)
Start AutoDesk 123D Make and IMPORT the Apple.stl file
Change parameters as indicated below and play

The really advanced approach
Goto  http://www.123dapp.com/
Register then download the application AutoDesk 123D Make
Goto the 3D Models at the top of the www.123dapp.com page, and search for the Apple

 Select the Apple  by Omar Zuniga, Arizona   (on the 2^nd page of models)

Download and play, then search for more models to build, or create your own

Enjoy