STEM Instructor details how scholars learn programming through Dash Robot

Exciting things are happening in the SR1 CPSA’s STEM Makerspace class! STEM Design Instructor, Vickie Liou, shares the part of the curriculum that has been shaping young minds throughout the year.

“Dash is an educational tool that we use for programming education. The first concept we teach in programming education is sequence. By using Dash, they can learn how to put together instructions of navigation and sequence. This is used in math and other subjects as well. Educators can access Dash’s toggle control on an App called Blockly. Here, there's a wide range of block codes to give sequence order to the robot.”

Liou also highlights the importance of STEM education at SR1 CPSA.

“ I think here we provide the best STEM education for these students. They’re building these skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork from an early age. It’s always good to start early and that just puts them on the right path to success.”

Of course, there have been challenges along the way.

As a young child, it’s often hard to think about how to work with others. I think that’s one of the biggest challenges we’ve been facing is students learning how to share and work with someone else who has a different role as you in order to complete a task or solve a problem.”

However, Liou notes that the class has made significant progress.

“It was a common issue in the beginning of the school year, but throughout the year, the class has learned to grow and support each other.”

She’s noticed a growing interest in STEM careers among the students. such as: engineers, astronauts, and scientists.

Liou is glad to see students engaging with the weekly courses and building their knowledge in STEM.