HandsOn Projects for STEM Enrichment

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• Hands-On Projects for STEM Enrichment
• Fred Martin
• Associate Professor, Computer Science,
• UMass Lowell
• Sam Christy
• Executive Director,
• Machine Science Inc.

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iCODEWhat is iCODE?

• Collaboration between UMass Lowell and Machine
  Science Inc.
• Funded by the National Science Foundation
• STEM teaching resources that are available right
  now

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iCODEWhat have we developed?

• On-line curriculum and programming tools
• Physical materials for hands-on activities
• Structured after-school and summer enrichment
  programs

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On-line SystemWhat's available on-line?

• Step-by-step project instructions
• Built-in web-based programming tool
• Community-building features student project
  database and discussion forums

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Physical MaterialsWhat do students build?

• Beginner Simple Circuit Games, LED Frisbee,
  Holiday Lights
• Intermediate Fortune Teller, Simon, Sumo Robot
• Advanced MP3, GPS, Wii Game Controller

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Enrichment ProgramsHow are activities structured?

• Weekly after-school sessions
• Weekend exhibitions, competitions, and career
  events
• Two-week summer camps

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Enrichment ProgramsWho are we serving?

• Ten schools and community centers in Boston and
  Lowell
• About 150 students have participated
• Nearly 80 Black, Latino, and Asian
• Almost half of year 1 students returned in year 2

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Student OutcomesHow do students benefit?

• Builds engineering process and workforce skills
• Increases knowledge of STEM-related careers
• Closes STEM attitude gap between girls and boys

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ContextWhy focus on microcontrollers?

• Embedded computing is driving innovation
• Microcontroller projects engage students
• Activities involve science, technology,
  engineering, and mathematics

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ContextMicrocontrollers are everywhere.
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ContextMicrocontroller projects are engaging.

• Students respond to hands-on challenge
• Physical inventions make programming concepts
  come alive
• Creativity can be expressed in code and design

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Context Projects provide STEM teaching
opportunities.
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DemonstrationHow does it all work?

• Overview of the project guides
• Close up view of one guide
• On-line programming demonstration
• Quick look at the open project database

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Getting StartedWhat do schools need?

• Computer facilities PCs or Macs
• Instructor/mentor No engineering experience
  needed
• Cost Guides are free kits range from 50 to
  200
• Web site guides.icodeproject.org