Learn how the Camp TechTerra curriculum provides a unique learning experience combining mobile technologies, coding, robotics, MakersEd, 3DPrinting, science and the great outdoors
. Discuss differentiated learner experiences to maximize exploration, creative opportunities and fun. Learn how a TechTerra certification, delivered as a live training to teachers, gives them the knowledge and ability to easily and effectively incorporate STEM and nature in their own classrooms
. Receive grant tips and opportunities to fund your own STEM coding-based program.

1. Merging Mobile &
Makers through
STEAM Camp
Experiences
Susan Wells
Founder, Camp TechTerra
ISTE MLN President-Elect 2015-16
Durham, NC
SusanSWells.com
wellssusans@gmail.com
@Wellssusan

2. In this session….
 learn how the Camp TechTerra curriculum provides a unique
learning experience combining mobile technologies, coding,
robotics, MakersEd, 3DPrinting, science and the great outdoors
 Discuss differentiated learner experiences to maximize exploration,
creative opportunities and fun
 learn how a TechTerra certification, delivered as a live training to
teachers, gives them the knowledge and ability to easily and
effectively incorporate STEM and nature in their own classrooms
 receive grant tips and opportunities to fund your own STEM coding-
based program

3. Foundations of
ScienceTechnologyEngineeringMath
 Coding…a beginning for microcontrollers,
robotics, 3DPrinting…Making!
 Robotics…artificial agents guided by computer
programming; sophisticated work, purposeful
and authentic
 Making…thinking, considering, designing,
imagining, playing, creating; if you can think it,
you can make it; to solve a problem, to enjoy
the process, to make life better

4. And why the “A” for STEAM?
 Why include the Arts…
 Makes us human. Makes life worth living.
Makes us better thinkers.
 Integrated throughout the curriculum,
across all content areas

5. What is coding/programming?
 Programming/Coding is the way in which a person tells a computer
what to do.
 A computer does not understand regular English. A computer
cannot be told to go wash the dishes. Programming is the way in
which a computer is told to follow directions and solve a problem.
 Using programming puzzle games in block language including
Lightbot, Kodable and Tynker… these games … teach basic
programming logic or thinking by combining the visual/pictures of
typed language written (ie C++, Java, Python) and what happens
when you carrying those instructions out.
 Why?... All students have the right to be creators not solely
consumers.

6. Explaining coding to kids:
 Planning…putting themselves in the robot/cute
monster/dinosaur/cat position and figure out how to guide
their character through the puzzle to solve a challenge.
 Programming or putting their steps in sequence/order.
 Testing, running their program to see if it works.
 Debugging, when it doesn’t work rerunning their program,
finding why not and moving directions or taking them out to
understand what the problem was; fixing mistakes.
 Coolest part…everyone will fail, can’t learn to code
without failing, otherwise known as “debugging!”

7. Our Youngest kids code…

8. Physical coding…
beginning of teaching code … projection with Copernicus
3in1 interactive-easel or taped floor grid

9. Favorite coding programs…
#1 choice youngest learners…LightbotJr
• Countable
• Teach from the grid
• No need to drag and drop
• Robot stays put as you re-run and debug
• Can easily rewind to practice
• Provides challenge for acceleration

10. Teaching Coding & Robotics
Coding
 Lightbot
http://lightbot.com/
 Scratch, Jr.
http://www.scratchjr.org
/
 Kodable
https://www.kodable.co
m/
 Robozzle
http://www.robozzle.co
m/
Robotics
 Birdbrain Tech
www.birdbraintechnol
ogies.com
 EZ-Robot www.ez-
robot.com
 Cubetto (youngest
learners) www.primo.io
 Lego
www.legoengineering.
com

11. Teaching Robotics
Purpose is to make the
work of humans lighter or
easier…replacing the
human worker…having
students consider what
this means for humanity…

12. Creating with 3DPrinting
• Consider
• Imagine
• Solve
• Create

13. Making & MakerSpaces…
 Link to Camp TechTerra student made videos
 Watch Camp TechTerra below…

14. This Summer
With East Central University
July 27, 28, 29 2015
ECU-ED Tech
 Use your personal mobile devices, optimized for teaching and learning;
add our robots, drones, and 3D printers. We provide time & focus on grant
writing to fund your own program STEM tools.
 Activities and lesson plans for Camp TechTerra include Earth Science; Life
Science; Physical Science and Computer Science. Each core area has a
focused lesson plan with hands-on exploration. Coding instruction centers
on coding with a purpose. Focused lessons plans provide differentiated
scaffold opportunities for building on understanding with collaboration.
 Become Camp TechTerra Certified for your space and your time needs.

15. Finding Funds- Critical components of
successful Grant Writing
 Do the work to carefully plan your project
 Focus counts
 Don’t forget local sources
 My largest successful grant, over $100,000 came
from the state. Started small
$20,000…demonstrated success, returned for
additional monies…
 Research…keep looking on a regular basis
 New grants are posted daily, mark your best
sources and keep coming back…when you
target search areas and keep returning you’ll
find opportunity

16. Grant Source Categories
Classroom Funding Examples:
DonorsChoose www.donorschoose.org
Adopt a Classroom www.adoptaclassroom.org
Community Funding Examples:
Brown Rudnick Community Grants
www.brownrudnickcenter.com
Larger Targeted Funding Example:
Corning Foundation Grants
www.corningfoundation.org

17. Today’s learners deserve…
 Authentic opportunities to do meaningful
work
 Today’s tools to get real work done
 Opportunities every day, throughout the
day to work on personally engaging tasks
 Space and resources to work
collaboratively, think critically & create
 Learning that is enjoyable and yes, fun!

18. Thank you! Susan S. Wells
 wellssusans@gmail.com
 SusanSWells.com
 CampTechTerra.com
 @wellssusan