Category Archives: Child Development

Going With the Ant Squad

Posted on May 22, 2017 by JohnHeffernan

This fall, I  had indoor recess duty (usually a dreaded duty) with a first grade class.  I noticed that many of them busily working on (some might say obsessed with) some ants that had been seen in the classroom.  They had … Continue reading →

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First Experiences With 3D Printing in an Elementary School

Posted on January 20, 2017 by JohnHeffernan

  Ultimaker 2+ 3D Printer before it was ever used BACKROUND I recently purchased an Ultimaker 2+ 3D printer with some of my prize money from winning a Presidential Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Math and Science.  This is now … Continue reading →

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Dissertation Conclusion

Posted on January 14, 2017 by JohnHeffernan

Conclusion Development and gender were not significant factors in determining the EDP or the success of designs in this study with the exception of executive functions such as causal reasoning, which, in particular, showed some evidence of an age related … Continue reading →

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Dissertation Research Teaser – 7 Key Factors in LEGO Robotic Open Ended Challenges

Posted on October 20, 2016 by JohnHeffernan
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Review of My Book

Posted on June 14, 2016 by JohnHeffernan

Nice review of my book I just noticed on Amazon.  Thanks, Ann Wyman.  Glad you liked it. I recently read the book “Elementary Robotics” by John Heffernan and I recommend it to any teacher interested in starting a LEGO Robotics … Continue reading →

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How To Make An Activity Timeline in EXCEL (Revised)

Posted on February 1, 2016 by JohnHeffernan

How do you produce a timeline of recurring activity types easily using EXCEL?  I had some trouble getting EXCEL to do this so I am sharing my technique here.  I use this in my research to characterize the engineering design … Continue reading →

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Started Dissertation Research

Posted on November 13, 2015 by JohnHeffernan

I have started filming for my dissertation research.  It feels like a big step forward with so much leading up to this:  13 courses, pilot study, comps, dissertation proposal, and so much reading!  I will be filming 6 second grade … Continue reading →

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Creativity and Elementary Engineering

Posted on September 6, 2015 by JohnHeffernan

In the theoretical framework of a new book called Engaging Young Engineers:  Teaching Problem Solving Skills Through STEM (Stone-Macdonald, Wendell, Douglass, Love, & Hyson, 2015), the authors posit that there are 5 kinds of thinking developed by teaching problem solving via STEM for early … Continue reading →

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Elementary Robotics Book Talk – June 19, 2014 – Meekins Library, Williamsburg

Posted on May 22, 2014 by JohnHeffernan

Author’s Talk John Heffernan Elementary Robotics: Sustaining the Natural Engineering Instincts of Children Thursday, June 19, 2014 7 PM to 8 PM 2 Williams Street, Williamsburg, MA 01341 413-268-7472 Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners are natural engineers. They love sand castles, … Continue reading →

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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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