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Ask HN: I need ideas to impress fifth graders with technology

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Re: Ask HN: I need ideas to impress fifth graders with technology

#131
post #13

Google Teachable Machine is fun for kids of that age. You can for example have the kids train Google to learn what pictures of dabbing are. https://teachablemachine.withgoogle.com/

That is brilliant, I taught mine to say rock/paper/scissors then swapped hands to see how will it did.

Re: Ask HN: I need ideas to impress fifth graders with technology

#133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh gosh I just realized I don't have the self control to teach children. Context: I'm a software engineer. All my explanations would be the "realistic" but kinda sarcastic answers. Computer Engineer - Copy's pastes code until it works. Rocket Scientists - Spend 50% of the time designing rockets, and 50% of their time hoping the rocket doesn't explode. Locomotive Engineer - Whoops this isn't a real engineer! /s /s

So what do you call an engineer that designs/optimises/etc. locomotives?

I am not positive, but I think Mechanical Engineer.

"Mechanical engineering is the discipline that applies engineering, physics, engineering mathematics, and materials science principles to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines. " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_engineering

My father was one, but designed gas compressors for oil & gas industry.

Re: Ask HN: I need ideas to impress fifth graders with technology

#134
post #38

I've done an interactive "do you know how many types of engineers there are?" for this age group that's worked really well. Timeframe: 5-15 minutes "Can anyone name a type of engineer?" and for each shoutout, talk a little about what each does. The guessing keeps everyone's attention. Types: software/computer, electrical, mechanical, chemical, environmental, civil, nuclear, aeronautical, etc. Bonus: bring 2-3 props (…

For each engineering discipline highlight the relevant part of a drone and how they're responsible. aeronatical: props and flight control mechanical: chassis chemical: batteries civil: constructing buildings that don't fall over when a drone crashes into them? nuclear: nope, refer to civil engineering

software: the coding for the hardware controls, autopilot or camera

Re: Ask HN: I need ideas to impress fifth graders with technology

#135

I was recently asked by a friend who teaches 5th graders to do something similar for their school's "career month." I tried a few different things, and found the most successful was showing them how to use a web browser's built-in developer tools to inspect the source of and make live modifications to web pages. My reasoning behind this exercise was: - I checked in with their teacher ahead of time and confirmed that…

“Hey kids, did you know you can change your grades online? Check this out. Oh hey Jimmy, lets make that C into an A” “Wow!” “Change mine, change mine!” I was impressed with dev tool live edit as an adult, unless kids already know about it, they’ll probably love it!

As a kid, I remember using the "Edit in Frontpage" button that IE had and fool myself into thinking I was hacking websites. Definitely had a blast, I imagine the dev tools eliciting at least the same amount of wow.

Re: Ask HN: I need ideas to impress fifth graders with technology

#137

I was recently asked by a friend who teaches 5th graders to do something similar for their school's "career month." I tried a few different things, and found the most successful was showing them how to use a web browser's built-in developer tools to inspect the source of and make live modifications to web pages. My reasoning behind this exercise was: - I checked in with their teacher ahead of time and confirmed that…

This is such a good idea. Messing with a website is absolutely something I'd have done instead of the typing practice I was supposed to be doing in my (small town public) middle school "Computers" class.

They should just let people play zty.pe instead of these silly excises.

My current high score is 4200, though I mostly fail around 3400

Re: Ask HN: I need ideas to impress fifth graders with technology

#138

I was recently asked by a friend who teaches 5th graders to do something similar for their school's "career month." I tried a few different things, and found the most successful was showing them how to use a web browser's built-in developer tools to inspect the source of and make live modifications to web pages. My reasoning behind this exercise was: - I checked in with their teacher ahead of time and confirmed that…

What a great idea! Thank you for the inspiration, and the insight of appealing to kids' sense of mischief.

Re: Ask HN: I need ideas to impress fifth graders with technology

#139
post #28

Given their financial constraints, demonstrating to them how they could use a Raspberry Pi-level device to create a website or business accessible to people around the world might inspire. There's an unspoken dogma that without a $1000 phone and pricey Mac, you can't be a creator. Alternatively, demonstrate a very cheap Youtube or podcast production setup and show them how they could do a channel inexpensively. Commo…

Impressive you managed to get 10 year olds to get along with React Native Expo. React's not known for being super easy to learn.

What framework(s) did you use?

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