Week 7: Reflecting and Expanding Student Work

This week focused on continuing to evaluate the impact of the curriculum while also supporting the work students have created throughout the course.

I spent time analyzing data from the most recent class session, particularly the programming lesson. Similar to the build session, students showed a strong willingness to experiment and troubleshoot on their own. Instead of relying on step-by-step instructions, they explored how changes in the code affected the robot’s movement. This trial-and-error approach led to more meaningful understanding, as students were able to connect abstract programming concepts directly to physical outcomes.

Comparing this data with earlier sessions, I’m beginning to see a consistent pattern: when students are given more ownership over the process, they become more engaged and confident in their decisions. They are more likely to test ideas, make mistakes, and iterate, which aligns closely with the goals of this project.

Alongside data analysis, I also began working on 3D prints for designs that students created on the side during the course. Many students have been developing their own ideas beyond the structured lessons, and this was an opportunity to bring those ideas into the real world. Printing their designs not only validates their creativity but also reinforces the connection between digital design and physical fabrication.

This week emphasized both reflection and growth. By continuing to analyze how students learn and giving them opportunities to see their ideas realized, the project is moving closer to its goal of creating a more engaging and empowering engineering experience. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to teach this group of students as they all seemed very interested in their work and were able to do most of the exploring on their own. I was able to take more of a mentor role for these sessions instead of a teacher or instructor.

Next week, I plan to continue refining the curriculum to use it for summer classes and more.

Stay tuned!