As a part of Project Lead the Way, our fourth graders studied the human brain this year and the way that it acts similar to a computer in information processing and communicating signals throughout the body. Then, they compared the human brain system to actual computer systems to better understand the similarities an differences. As a part of this research, students participated in hands-on discovery of computer systems within a variety of technology devices. We called this our "take-apart days", and the students really enjoyed seeing what was inside of devices such as old cassette players and laptops. They categorized the computer parts they found within their devices as pieces that are necessary for input or pieces necessary for output. We later turned the pieces from our take-apart projects into art and had help to spray paint them all silver - we drew inspiration from Louise Nevelson and her monochromatic sculptures.
Students also got to use their knowledge of input/output and coding to develop and program a game that tests the user's reaction time. We used the app Tynker to create those games, and really enjoyed being one another's beta-testers and providing feedback about how the games worked!
Students also got to use their knowledge of input/output and coding to develop and program a game that tests the user's reaction time. We used the app Tynker to create those games, and really enjoyed being one another's beta-testers and providing feedback about how the games worked!