As
children work on PicoCricket projects, they can learn important
math, science, and engineering ideas -- and gain a deeper
understanding of the process of design and invention. Here
are some ideas
for organizing PicoCricket classes and workshops, based on
our experience working with schools, museums, and after-school
centers.
New! See the PicoCricket Workshop Guide, described below.
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Themes
PicoCrickets can be used in a wide variety of activities – and thus appeal to learners with different interests, backgrounds, and styles. While many robotics classes are organized around engineering challenges, we tend to organize PicoCricket classes and workshops around shared themes. For the theme of Musical Instruments, for example, participants create interactive inventions that play melodies and rhythms. Rather than culminating in a competition among robots, our workshops finish with an exhibition of projects.
The best themes are broad enough to give everyone freedom to work on projects they care about, but specific enough to foster a sense of shared experience among all participants. Here are some examples of themes: A Day in the Park, Smart House, Kinetic Sculptures, Celebrations, Wearables, Musical Instruments, Painting Machines, Chain Reactions, Insects. Learn more about PicoCricket themes. |
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Organizing Classes and Workshops
What’s the best way to organize a PicoCricket class or workshop? We try to create the atmosphere of an artist’s studio or inventor’s workshop. Rather then giving participants a fixed set of materials to accomplish a pre-determined task, we provide a rich collection of materials and encourage participants to experiment, explore, and express themselves on projects related to shared theme.
We make sure that the room has space not only for working on computers but also constructing with physical materials. We set up tables with art & craft supplies, LEGO bricks, and PicoCricket devices. We encourage participants to work together in small groups. There is no pre-defined sequence of steps: each group moves back-and-forth between designing, building, programming, and decorating their projects. When students are finished with the
projects, you can take apart the projects and re-use the PicoCrickets and other
electronic components while the students take home their craft creations. See more about organizing classes and workshops.
The PicoCricket kits are intended to be used over and over. When you use the PicoCrickets in a classroom, educators typically "preserve" student
projects through photos and videos. You'll need to replenish the craft materials, but
these are low-cost.
For other classroom or workshop possibilities that concentrate on math, science and engineering, try a Scratch Workshop using the PicoBoard.
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PicoCricket Workshop Kit
Planning to use PicoCrickets in a class or workshop? The PicoCricket Workshop Kit is a cost-effective way to get everything you need. The Workshop Kit includes enough PicoCricket components for a workshop with 10-15 kids (5 groups of 2-3 kids).
If you need additional PicoCricket Components, you can order Individual Parts. For example, if you are running a musical instrument workshop, you may need additional Sound Boxes. If you are running a kinetic sculpture workshop, you may need additional Motors and Touch Sensors. |
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Making Faces: A PicoCricket Workshop Guide
Are you looking for ideas on how to run a PicoCricket class or workshop? This guide provides suggestions for a workshop called "Making Faces." In the workshop, participants use craft materials to create the face of a person or animal, then attach their creation to a motor and program it to spin. The 12-page guide includes suggestions on each aspect of organizing, leading, and assessing an introductory PicoCricket workshop.
Download the Making Faces PicoCricket Workshop Guide 
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Further Reading
PicoCrickets are based on research from the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab. Here are some resources for learning more about the ideas underlying PicoCrickets.
New Pathways into Robotics discusses strategies for educators to broaden participation in robotics activities.
Computer as Paintbrush discusses how new technologies, such as PicoCrickets, can support the development of creative thinking.
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