Building With Code Curriculum

Last Updated: February 19th, 2019

The Building With Code Class is part of the With Madi Co Teaching Curriclum. You can look up more free, available classes on the Teaching Curriculm page. The code the students have created can be found within the /curriculum/week# folders associated with the lesson that was taught. The MagicMirror repository the students used as their final version can be found here.

Date: December 14th, 2018 - March 15th, 2019
Grade / Student Experience: 9th Grade w/ little to no experience in computer science
Class Schedule: 10 weeks of 135 minutes sessions
Supply List:

• Computer (one for each student is best)
• Text Editor (we’re using Atom)
• Two-Way Smart Mirror
• Raspberry Pi
• Frame for the mirror
• LED Monitor with Speakers
• USB Microphone
• Smart Light Tape
• Alexa Skill Documentation

Purpose: To teach students with little knowledge of computer science about how technology products are created, giving them exposure to more than just the software development aspect. To inspire students and the community of the vast opportunities that computer science and technology create.

Class Structure:
Exposure

• Technology role within the industry
• Companies that have that sort of role
• What you’d want to study to learn more about that role

Education

• Foundations of programming concept
• Required to attend the coding bootcamp
• Connection with classroom education

Experiment

• Try it out!!
• Play / Fail / Learn

Semester 1 Schedule

[12.16.18] Week 1: Introduction to Computer Science / Technology

Introduction to the course

• What is Technology/Computer Science?
• What can you do with Technology?

• Introduction to Computer Science Powerpoint: You already know more than you think.

• Present the problem: What are we trying to solve? Do we need to solve this problem? How can we go about solving it?
  • central place for communication
  • unique mark for the school
  • way to inspire kids about the possibilities of tech and associated careers
• Introduction to the project: Create a Magic Mirror, show video

[12.21.18] Week 2: CHRISTMAS PARTY / Role Assignment

• Technology Role: Project Manager
• Project Management: Introduce them to a new role in technology / what they would do
• Put flashing lights on our sweater ???
• Minimum Viable Product (MVP): What needs to be on the first working prototype of the product?

[12.28.18] No School

[01.04.19] No School

[01.11.19] Week 3: DESIGN THINKING WORKSHOP

• Technology Role: UX Designer
• Design Thinking Workshop: Way to come up with solutions

[01.18.19] Week 4: FIELD TRIP

• Technology Role: Product Manager
• http://www.philaedfund.org/programs/advancing-education/stem/linksHelpful List of Philadelphia STEAM Programs

[01.25.19] Week 5: Begin Coding / Layout of TODO

• Technology Role: Back-End Developer

[02.01.19] Week 6: Coding –> SNOW DAY

• Technology Role: Bio-medical Engineer
• Technology Role: Front-End Developer

[02.08.19] Early Dismissal: No Class

[02.15.19] Week 7: Coding

• Technology Role: Big Data Engineer

[02.22.19] Week 8: ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

• Technology Role: Video Game Designer
• Putting the product all together, and finishing touches.
• Parts from the carpentry class should be completed by this week

[03.01.19] Early Dismissal: No Class

[03.08.19] Week 9: Finalize Product & PITCH CREATION

• Technology Role: Mobile App Developer & Virtual Reality Developer
• Crafting Our Story / Solution: Create a pitch deck and practice sharing about the technology you’re creating
• Practice Day:

[03.15.19] Week 10: PRESENTATION DAY

• Technology Role: Technologist - aka the students
• Presentation: Give them the opportunity to present out their project / demo it to they classmates

Semester 2 Schedule

[03.29.19] Week 1: Welcome Back - Let’s Finish the Mirror

[04.05.19] Week 2: Smart Mirror Wrap-Up

[04.12.19] Week 3: Build An Alexa Skill

[04.26.19] Week 4: Build An Alexa Skill (cont.)

[05.03.19] Week 5: Smart Mirror / Alexa Skill Wrap-Up & Presentation

Contact

This course syllabus will be updating as we find better ways to teach the material. For any questions or comments please reach out to Madi @ withmadico@gmail.com.