Bridge21 - Programming and Maths Workshops

Note: There are a number of workshops running at the same time, you will only be able to attend one of the below workshops on this date.

The workshops will also be useful for educators and mentors who are engaged in informal education through Club-houses, CoderDojo, TechSpace and other similar youth programmes.

This workshop is hosted in the Bridge21 Learning space in Dublin alongside participants on Trinity College Dublin's Postgraduate Certificate in 21st Century Teaching and Learning.

Intermediate programming (Scratch 2: Game design)

This workshop builds on the Scratch 1 workshop, and is centred on designing a multi-level game using Scratch. It will also explore the latest technologies that can be used to control the games developed in Scratch such as: Kinect, Leap and Makey Makey – (see https://sites.google.com/a/bridge21.ie/cs-stem/game-controllers). Participation in Scratch 1, or prior Scratch experience is a prerequisite.

Contextual Mathematics (Project Maths and the Bridge21 model)

Research in TCD has developed a set of guidelines for the design of maths learning activities which are technology-mediated, contextualised and which resonant with a view of mathematics as a problem-solving activity in which students construct their own knowledge through the solution of real world problems. Attendees will be given the opportunity to participate as active learners in activities designed according to these principles and delivered using the Bridge21 methodology.
• ‘Probability and Plinko’, constructing a Plinko (Galton) board to statistically analyse the paths taken by marbles as they fall.
• ‘The Pond Filling Activity’, a hands-on exercise in problem-solving, estimation, area and volume.
• ‘The Human Catapult’, using video tracking and dynamic geometry to model the trajectory of a projectile.
• ‘Barbie Bungee’, using video tracking, spread sheets and dynamic geometry to investigate line of best fit and harmonic series.
This workshop is suitable for Junior and Senior cycle maths/applied maths/physics teachers.

Exploring Computer Systems (Raspberry Pi 1: Introduction)

The Pi is a very small self-contained computer which can be programmed with a variety of common languages including Scratch, Python and Java. It comes with a set of easily programmable interfaces which allow the Pi to be used to control other devices. This workshop provides an introduction into the world of computers and controllers. The workshop will focus on hands on activities with the Raspberry Pis and light electronics, buttons and game controllers. Programming will be primarily done in Scratch so attendance at Scratch 2, or extensive prior experience, with Scratch is a pre-requisite. There will be follow-on workshops offered at a later stage in advanced use of the Pi and the Python programming language.