Mathematics and Computer Science team up for OPS Pilot

A ten-week pilot study conducted in the Omaha Public Schools culminated in an Open House held in the Durham Science Center on May 16, 2016. UNO faculty members, Betty Love, mathematics, and Victor Winter, computer science, along with mathematics graduate student Davina Faimon, teamed with Deanna Moisset (MAT 2008) to develop and implement an instructional unit on Bricklayer coding to OPS GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) students in twelve elementary schools.

Bricklayer (bricklayer.org) is a system developed by Dr. Winter, to help novices, especially K-12 students, learn how to code. Bricklayer programs can produce LEGO® artifacts, Minecraft artifacts, and even artifacts suitable for 3D printing. Bricklayer programming ranges from the very simple through various levels of mathematical complexity starting with a simple two-dimensional coordinate system and extending to a plethora of geometric concepts such as lines, circles, cubes, spheres, and fractals. By programming in Bricklayer, students learn logic and computational thinking, as well as numerous mathematical concepts.

The pilot study included six GATE facilitators and over 150 students in grades 4, 5 and 6. Over 175 students, family members, and teachers attended the Open House. A video highlighting the artifacts created by the students was shown in the planetarium. (It can be seen here: https://youtu.be/POxpzcG11bU.)

Student programs and the resulting artifacts were displayed in an art show format. Each student was invited to submit a program that would produce an artifact for 3D printing. These 3D prints were on display and students delighted in being able to take home a tangible representation of their work.

Currently plans are underway to expand the pilot program to all 63 OPS elementary schools during the next school year.

Source: Mathematics Department Newsletter 2015-2016