Mission 4: Coding
How does coding impact the ways we can use drones?
Welcome to Mission 4!
This Mission is different than any other so far in Take Flight. In this mission, you start by leading a whole group, unplugged challenge. Then, flight crews dive into different stations to learn new skills and refine skills practiced in earlier Missions.
Office Hours (Zoom Link): If you need assistance with the Take Flight Curriculum or you have general questions about the program please join us for monthly virtual office hours from 4:00-5:00 p.m. (EST). Office Hour Dates: Jan - 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30; Feb - 13 & 27; March - 13 & 27; April - 10 & 24; May - 8 & 22; June - 5 & 19.
Overview
1.Before the Mission
Motivational Moves
Teacher
Give Wise Feedback
How you give feedback matters. Did you know that teachers can reduce the tendency of at-risk students to discount evaluative statements as biased by formatting those statements as ‘wise’ feedback (Cohen, Steele, & Ross, 1999; Yeager et al., 2013).
All the teacher needs to do is structure written or verbal feedback to include these 3 elements:
- Feedback description. The teacher describes the nature of the feedback being offered.
- High standards. The teacher emphasizes and explains the high standards used to evaluate the student work and generate the instructional feedback.
- Assurance of student ability. The teacher states explicitly that the student has the skills necessary to successfully meet those standards.
During this lesson make sure you expresses confidence that the student is capable of meeting the high expectations in the Take Flight program by structuring your feedback in this way.
Students
Who belongs in STEM? Everyone! The activities in this mission will help students see that the world needs a wide range of people to work in STEM careers and it will help dispel stereotypes about who will be successful in careers that involve science, technology, engineering and math.
Before the Mission
Coming Soon!
2. Student Portfolio
Print or Work Online
Every student will need a copy!
This portfolio is where students can capture their learning. They can take notes, make drawings, and document what they do. You can print a copy or share the portofolio virtually.
3. The Challenges
Challenge 1 - How Did They Do That? (Whole Group)
Overview
Description: Students will use paper Code Blocks to practice building code that instructs a drone to fly specific flight patterns.
Time estimate: 15 minutes
Materials:
Set of Code Blocks for each student or flight team.
Challenge 2 - Use Programmable Drones & Coding Software
Overview
Description: Flight crews have built drone flying skills using the controller. Now it’s time to explore making a drone travel a flight path on its own.
Time estimate: 2 sessions of 30 minutes.
Materials:
A computer or tablet device with a Chrome browser
Blockly (for CoDrone EDU) programming site ( ⚠️ Important: Use Chrome as your browser)
Measuring devices
Challenge 3 - Coding Drone Sensors
Overview
Description: In this challenge, you will learn how to use block coding to make a programmable drone travel a flight path.
Time estimate: 2 sessions of 35 minutes
Materials:
A computer or tablet device with a Chrome browser
Blockly (for CoDrone EDU) programming site ( ⚠️ Important: Use Chrome as your browser)
Measuring devices
4. Mission Landing
Landing Assessment 🚩 Required
Landing Assessment Questions & Answers
At the end of each mission is a Landing Assessment. This Assessment consists of a 5-10 question multiple choice quiz and a few open-ended questions. After completing this assessment students receive a downloadable certificate of completion for the Coding mission. This link is NOT a template; the data will go directly to the CAST Research Team.
Certificate of Completion for Coding
On completion of the post-assessment, students will receive a Certificate of Completion for STEM Communication Skills.
5. Teacher Forum
Need Help?
If you get stuck at any point during this mission, please contact takeflight@cast.org for help.
Connect with Other Take Flight Educators
Use the Padlet below to connect with other teachers, see ideas and inspiration, or ask questions!