Use this link to access NASA TV on January 31 at 10:50 AM

Use this link to access NASA TV on January 31 at 10:50 AM

From MISD Communcations:

Students at Mansfield ISD’s Asa Low Intermediate School will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talk live with NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station on January 31. The students will participate in a NASA in-flight education downlink with the Expedition 30 crew aboard the International Space Station as it orbits Earth at an altitude ranging from 230-286 miles and a speed of approximately 17,500 miles per hour.

UPDATED TIME: NASA has updated the time for the in-light education downlink for 10:50 AM, January 31, 2012.

NASA Low Students Interact with NASA Experts Using MISD Videoconferencing Tools

As part of its “Space Night” family program, NASA Low Intermediate School is hosting a series of videoconferencing sessions with NASA specialists. Students and parents are participating in a Toys in Space investigation broadcasting from the Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The program is designed to explore how micro gravity makes familiar toys behave in unfamiliar ways.

Participants are accessing the sessions using the MISD’s SAFARI Montage Live! system.

One of the participants said, “This was really cool. I learned about Newton’s Second Law.”

Next Tuesday, NASA Low students will continue their exploration of space with a live videoconference with astronauts on the International Space Station.

8th Grade Parent Technology Survey Released

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Update: On some smart phones, the scale for the survey does not appear. A “1″ means “strongly agree” and a “4″ means “strongly disagree.”

A link to a technology survey designed for parents of Mansfield ISD eighth graders will be sent later today through the Infinite Campus system.

MISD is considering policy changes that would allow students to bring electronic devices such as laptops, smart phones, and tablets to school for educational purposes.

We’re seeking input from this set of parents in preparation for the policy development process.

A follow-up survey for all MISD parents is planned for later this spring.

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Willie Brown “Robo Eagles” Compete in TCEA Robotics Competition

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Willie Brown Elementary fielded its first-ever robotics team for the TCEA Area 10/11 competition in Allen, Texas on January 14. Students competed in groups of three or four against other area teams, which ranged in age from elementary to high school.

In preparation for the competition, the students worked over several months during after-school practices to design and build their own robots using LEGO NXT Robotics kits. They programmed these robots using software that runs on a standard desktop or laptop computer. All teams received the same challenge in advance. Strategies for tackling the challenge varied widely.

Robo Eagles Coach and Willie Brown Elementary Fourth Grade Teacher Monica Abrams said, “The kids had to use collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills continually while working on these challenges. It was neat to see their skills develop in the weeks leading up to the competition.”

The MISD Strategic Plan calls for implementation of robotics programs throughout MISD during the instructional day and/ or as an after school activity. A Blue Prints Foundation grant of $80,000 and an MISD Foundation grant of $10,000 are helping to fund the first steps toward achievement of this goal. Plans through the 2012-2013 school year include providing materials for Tech Apps classes at all elementary campuses and providing some start-up equipment for schools that have expressed an interest in initiating after-school programs.

Interested in learning more?

Contact Jan North (janicenorth@misdmail.org), EdTech Trainer/Coach Ashley Coffman (ashleycoffman@misdmail.org), or Coach Monica Abrams (monicaabrams@misdmail.org).

MISD Elementary Principals Explore Robotics

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MISD Elementary Principals built and programmed “WeDo” robots during their January 11 meeting. They also learned how robotics instruction can contribute to the development of students’ collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. According to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, these will be among the most important attributes for students to have as they enter the workforce.

LEGO WeDo construction sets include working motors and sensors. Once models are complete, students write programs for them using a computer and WeDo software.

J.L. Boren Principal John Williams said, “I can see how robotics can help students with critical thinking and application. It also helps them to be attentive to illustrations . . . or you get to start all over again! It was fun!”

MISD won an $80,000 grant from the Blue Prints Association and a $10,000 MISD Foundation grant to implement robotics programs throughout the district.

As part of this program, each elementary school will receive WeDos for use primarily in Technology Applications classrooms. As the Tech Apps curriculum is updated this year, one focus will be building robotics activities into those classes. Funds and materials are also available to begin after-school robotics clubs at targeted MISD campuses.

Related articles

• MISD STaR Chart Results: Another Reason to be Thankful! (misdtechnotes.wordpress.com)
• MISD Schools Win Big Robotics Grants! (misdtechnotes.wordpress.com)