Category Archives: Robotics

Comprehensive Exam Proposal

Posted on April 15, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

Comprehensive Examination Proposal Elementary Robotics Case Study John Heffernan University of Massachusetts, Amherst March 19, 2014   Problem Statement Designerly play has been identified as a fundamental component of childhood learning (Baynes, 1994). Designerly play is supported in typical preschool … Continue reading →

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Drumming Monkey – The Science of Rhythm

Posted on March 21, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

I have struggled for years with the science experiment part of the LEGO WeDo Drumming Monkey robot. The experiment workshop tells the students to write down “What I see or hear.” Without further instruction, second grade students tend to write … Continue reading →

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Burglar Alarm Trap

Posted on March 17, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

Here’s a recent grade 4 burglar alarm model. The burglar is detected by a motion sensor, a trap is lowered, and the police arrest the burglar.

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Mega Vehicle

Posted on February 17, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

Here’s a recent third grade mega vehicle made for the open ended make your own vehicle WeDo challenge. 

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Local Newspaper Article About Book

Posted on January 16, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

http://www.gazettenet.com/home/10155020-95/williamsburg-school-technology-director-john-heffernan-publishes-book-on-teaching-robotics

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Taxonomy of Robotics Skills

Posted on January 10, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

I have been thinking about a how robotics skills intersect. This Venn diagram show my first stab at a taxonomy of robotics skills and how engineering, programming, and building intersect in educational robotics. This still needs work but I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Research, Robotics, Teaching | 2 Comments

Design Based Science Bibliography

Posted on January 6, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

Barak, M., & Zadok, Y. (2009). Robotics projects and learning concepts in science, technology and problem solving. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 19(3), 289–307. Baynes, K. (1994). Designerly play. Loughborough: Loughborough University of Technology, Department of Design and … Continue reading →

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Grade 3 Vehicle Challenge

Posted on December 12, 2013 by JohnHeffernan

Here are some photos from our grade 3 open ended challenge to design a WeDo vehicle.  I reviewed 3 ways to connect motor to wheels before they started: gears, pulleys, or direct drives. Students used the base WeDo kit. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in Child Development, Research, Robotics, Teaching | 5 Comments

Design Based Science

Posted on December 6, 2013 by JohnHeffernan

A few of you may be interested in this literature review of design based science I just completed.  It reviews a good number of papers and studies that evaluate how science concepts and processes can be taught using design.  Design … Continue reading →

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Book Now Available!

Posted on November 18, 2013 by JohnHeffernan

https://www.createspace.com/4488315 Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners are natural engineers. They love sand castles, blocks, fairy houses, and other projects that support their creative, fantasy play. We support this natural engineering instinct in preschool and kindergarten classrooms with blocks, LEGOs, sand and … Continue reading →

Posted in Robotics, Teaching | 1 Comment