​Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy​​​​​​​
FLC Tech Classes                                           Spring 2018

 
Instructor:  Paul Oblak   poblak@gmail.com      #269-697-0069
Location: Basement of 111 Main Street, Niles  MI  49120
Class begins the week of January 30th - May 29th

Additional registration at location is required.


BUILD AND PROGRAM YOUR OWN COMPUTER
Grades 4th-8th
Wednesdays  1-2pm              

Description: Students will start with their very own Piper Computer Kit—which they get to assemble into a small, working, computer! We then jump into a world of computer code with a simple, yet versatile, programming language called Python. Python is used by everyone from beginners to professionals, so it is a great skill to learn. This class is meant for students with little or no experience with programming; they will learn everything they need in class. With the Piper Computer Kit, students will not only get to make fun and simple programs on computers they built, but they will also get to make and test their code in Minecraft! The computers we build allow us to write and edit code within Minecraft so, in a way, students will be making and playing their own personal version of the popular videogame! This is the second half of a year long class continuing from the fall session.
Syllabus
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LEGO DRONE BUILDING
Wednesday  4-5pm            Grades 4-8
**This class meets through the holiday breaks.

Description: Students will start by learning to solder and making their own small, battery-powered, LED circuit. Once they’re comfortable soldering, students will be ready to build and test their first drone – Mini Lego Drone by Kitables. Students will get to take the drone they make home to keep. 
Then we can move on to a more complex drone, using the Flybrix drone kit, which allows students to test out quad, hex, and octo airframe designs! 
We will compare different designs and discuss basic electronics and flight techniques.  Students will test their drones in obstacle courses, search and-rescue simulations, and more! This is a repeat of the fall class, so it is not for students who already took it.
Syllabus

*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
 
Teacher of Record: Lynne Wieferich