Computer science embraced at East Union

AFTON - With an increasingly online world, and more careers increasing their time on computers, teaching computer science at an earlier age has become a priority for schools. None knows this better than East Union, which has built a strong computer science program for elementary students.

In 2020, House File 2629 was signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds, which required K-12 schools to provide computer science courses, with middle and elementary schools requiring “high-quality computer science” by July 2023.

East Union uses a departmentalized style of teaching for computer science, with teacher Robin McNutt handling daily classes for the fourth and fifth grades, and periodic lessons for TK through third once every other week.

The origin of East Union’s interest in their program comes from a grant issued by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Council in 2018 which hoped to boost interest in computer science in schools. By creating school-wide programs using the funding, schools can help create good models for other districts.

East Union Elementary Principal Joan Gordon found the grant and thought it would be a great match for East Union. After a meeting with the district technology team, she was encouraged to apply.

“You just want the place to be a shining star,” she said. “It was just something that could help move us to the next level.”

East Union became one of six initial schools to receive the STEM council grant in 2019, with a second wave of six awarded totaling 12 schools as a part of the program. The school received $50,000 as a part of the award. The funding helped give a “head start” to East Union’s computer science program.

McNutt theorized why the governor planned the grant was to help give schools examples and trends to follow when computer science became mandatory education.

As part of the requirements to be awarded the grant, schools would need to create a blueprint which could help other schools model the program. Gordon, choosing not to go through an obvious route of spreadsheets and instruction manuals, created a website detailing how each grade at East Union is taught principles of computer science.

“It wasn’t something [the Governor’s STEM Council] made us do, we could have made a spreadsheet and called it a day,” she said. “It was creative, and I enjoyed doing it.”

Both McNutt and Gordon said the East Union staff were open to increased use of technology in the school, with McNutt herself saying she sees herself as a “tech-y” person. Additionally, in regards for preparing students for their futures, McNutt sees computer science in the same way as reading and math: you can’t wait to teach students later.

“You have to start them kindergarten, or even TK, so that they’re ready,” she said. “It’s not as though they’re doing what adult coding is, but you have to introduce it to them.”

Curriculum within McNutt’s program focuses on problem solving and goal-oriented activities. Due to the nature of coding, McNutt stresses how there isn’t one universal solution to a problem, which helps students explore other ways to solve the same issue.

“There’s more than one way to solve the puzzle,” she said.

One activity, and one funded by the initial grant, are Bee-Bots. These small black and yellow robots are programmed by the students, with a goal of making the robot do something, ranging from simple movements to spelling words and solving math problems by making the bee move across a mat decorated with numbers or letters.

Alongside McNutt is Debora Richardson, who helps with computer science classes. The two teachers can teach two classes within the same room. Coding in these classes are simpler than the language-based coding of most professional jobs. Students use block- or node-based coding to simplify the process while still learning and using tools available to solve problems.

During December, students participate in a “Computer Science Education Week,” where the students participate in coding activities and learn about computer safety, including safe internet surfing, preventing computer viruses and recognizing safe websites. The week’s activities are organized by the Computer Science Education Team, a dedicated group of teachers who help encourage the growth of the program.

With the grant funding, various robots are at the command of elementary students. Ozobots, Osmos, Spheros, Edison Bots, Finch Robots and more are all sorts of different programmable robots, each with a purpose to help inspire student creativity. It’s a lot to take in when analyzing the programs.

Another project involves students building their own computers. With the Piper Computer Kits, borrowed from Green Hills AEA, students go through a process of building a computer with a screen. Powered by a Raspberry Pi, a simple operating system made for simple coding, the goal is to eventually play popular video game “Minecraft.”

Outside of computer science but still within the realm of tech, McNutt also holds a special program where older elementary students perform in front of a green screen for “East Union E-News.” Students recite the breakfast and lunch menus alongside important information in the morning.

Technology extends outside of curriculum. Using a program called Kami, teachers can give lessons using student Chromebooks while also being able to monitor and give individualized assistance to those struggling during the day. The adoption of the program is one of the many ways East Union has leaned toward technology to provide stronger education for students, according to McNutt.

“I use it as a tool, and they’re on their computers a lot,” she said. “We have i-Ready, computer science, for our new reading program we use the computers sometimes. We’re good where we’re at.”