In order to demonstrate to future educators how to teach computational thinking (CT),
we created three different CT activities: a robotic earthquake simulator, a model of
the solar system using Scratch, and a simulation of a car race demonstrating Newton's second law of motion.
Using LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robot kits, students build and code a robotic earthquake simulator.
Afterward, they design and construct buildings using LEGOs and then test the structural
integrity of their buildings in the event of an earthquake.
Teacher Resources
Students are introduced to computer programming through online coding exercises
and then use Scratch to create a model of Earth’s orbit around the sun.
Teacher Resources
We created a web-based simulation of a race between two cars to demonstrate
Newton’s second law of motion (F = ma). Users can change the force and mass
of each car, and the simulation includes a dynamic distance vs. time graph.
Teacher Resources
