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STEM Courses & Lessons

Boolean Girl has been teaching elementary school-aged children to code for many years. Since 2014, we have been developing curricula, crafting lesson plans, and training instructors to educate kids in STEM fields like coding, engineering, and robotics. Throughout the years, we have worked with teachers to develop and test our curricula, integrating it into subjects such as math, science, and literature. 

We have proven curricula for both online and in-class teaching that is aligned with national standards for Computer Science, and we want to share that with you. Our goal is to improve diversity in STEM careers, and one way to do that is to get our time-tested and teacher-endorsed lessons in the hands of educators like you - educators who see the gaps in STEM fields and want to help girls, low-income, and underrepresented groups get more access to in-school computer science and engineering education.

All of these lessons are completely FREE to you. 

If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out to info@booleangirl.org.

A quick note on sharing these resources:

This resource page is designed to provide free computer science curricula for educators regardless of background or subject matter expertise. It is licensed under a Creative Commons license so you can remix, adapt, and build upon the material for noncommercial purposes only, as attribution is given to the creator, Boolean Girl.  More Details.

Scratch Lessons
Python Lessons
micro:bit Lessons

Scratch Lessons

Animate My Story in Scratch

ScratchStoryTelling

Lessons

5

Hours

10-30

Type

Course

Subject

ELA

Grades

3-6

Skill

Beginner

Students plan, develop and create a story using Scratch. Develop a solid understanding of basic coding concepts and the Scratch platform, as well as an animated story they can share with their loved ones.

Download the Course as a Google Doc or PDF.

Download suggested schedules as a Google Doc or PDF.

Download the ELA standards.

 


Code Your Own Adventure

CodeYourOwnAdventure

Lessons

5

Hours

10-30

Type

Course

Subject

ELA

Grades

3-6

Skill

Beginner

Coders are challenged to use Scratch to design and build an animated story. Students will learn the essential components of good storytelling, the basics of the Scratch platform, and how to translate creative ideas from brainstorming to coding. Students will leave with an understanding of fundamental computer science concepts like sequencing, loops, and events.

Download the Course here.

 


Platformer Games

PlatformerGame

Lessons

5

Hours

10-30

Type

Course

Subject

ELA

Grades

3-6

Skill

Beginner

Coders will use Scratch to design and build a platform video game. Students will learn the essential components of platform games, master the Scratch platform, and exercise their creativity through game design. Students will leave with a deep understanding of fundamental game making concepts like player movement, visual design, and level-building.

Download the Course here.

 

 


Python Lessons

Python I Turtle Art

Python1

Lessons

12

Hours

10-30

Type

Course

Subject

CS

Grades

5-11

Skill

Beginner

Python is one of the most popular programming languages in existence. In this course, you will learn the basics of coding in Python while making a unique and creative virtual painting. Here you will learn important coding concepts like loops, variables, lists, and libraries. By the end of the course, you will be a Python programmer and you will be able to show off your own work of art! Uses the Turtle Library. 

Course Materials (in a Google Drive)


Python II Code Your Own Adventure

Python2

Lessons

12

Hours

10-30

Type

Course

Subject

CS

Grades

5-11

Skill

Beginner

Improve your understanding of Python, one of the most popular programming languages in the world, by building a classic Code Your Own Adventure program an interactive adventure where the program’s user chooses what happens along the way and impacts how the adventure ends.

Course Materials (in a Google Drive)


micro:bit Lessons

Items labeled (Course) are a collection of lessons that take several hours to complete

micro:bit Cookbook

circleframed basekitV2

Lessons

 

Hours

4-6

Type

Course

Subject

CS

Grades

4-12

Skill

Beginner

A how to booklet that provides wire instructions and code examples for a variety of sensors and actuators that can be connected to the micro:bit with an Edge connector. Cookbook Slides

 

micro:bit Beginner Lessons (Course)

circleframed basekitV2

Lessons

6

Hours

4-8

Type

Course

Subject

CS

Grades

2-5

Skill

Beginner

Slides decks for use in the classroom to introduce the micro:bit kit, do some basic coding and some easy work with accessory components.

Looking for something more basic? Try this course from microbit.org. 

Lessons:

Lesson Overview Hardware Software
Name badge Great intro lesson to code and download LEDs Forever, Show LED

Dance Party

Fun lesson, simple but active, get up and dance

LEDs, Button

Button input, Loops

Cookie Tin Alarm

Use sensors on the micro:bit to create a fun alarm

LED, Light sensor

Show LED, Conditionals (if), 

Radio Light Alarm 

Add the radio capability to the alarm

Speaker, Light Sensor, Radio

Radio, Conditionals, Extensions

Conductivity Tester

Great way to introduce the edge connector and learn about electricity

Edge Connector, Circuit Building

Pin Blocks, Conditionals, variables

Inch Worm

An alternative to the Conductivity Tester that introduces the Edge connector and a motor

Edge connector, Motor

Pin Blocks, Inputs

Sunflower

Complicated project that is a great capstone. Requires some legos or other supplies to hold the micro:bit up so it can rotate

Servo Motor, Edge Connector, Light Sensor

Pin Blocks, Light Sensing, variables,conditionals 

 

 

 

Simple Circuits an Intro to Electricity

simple Circuits

Lessons

5

Hours

5

Type

Course

Subject

Electronics

Grades

2-7

Skill

Beginner

A set of lessons that align with 5th grade science learning about electricity and circuits. These lessons do not use a micro:bit but use components from the kits to create circuits with lights and buttons. 

These lessons are good preparation work for many of the lessons below. 

These lessons are used in DC Public Schools  as part of their Build Day art projects. A true STEAM effort to add STEM to Art. 

Coding Instructions: PDF 

micro:bit RoboPet (Course)

RoboPet

Lessons

5

Hours

10-30

Type

Course

Subject

ELA

Grades

3-6

Skill

Beginner

Students code the virtual pet as described on the microbit.org page.  Then they bring their pet to life adding motors and lights to and customise it to make it their own. 

 

Coding Instructions: Google Doc or PDF

 


micro:bit Parachute Drop 

parachuteDrop200x200

Lessons

1

Hours

1-3

Type

Lesson

Subject

Math - Science

Grades

3-11

Skill

Beginner

Students build a parachute, attach the micro:bit and drop it.  The micro:bit records flight data for analysis in math or science class.  Based on an actual project related to the European Mars Rover. 

All the classroom materials are in this Google Drive.

The coding for this can only be done in JavaScript so the code is provided to load on the micro:bits.

Original Code (The Improved Code works better in a test with the small parachute.)

 


micro:bit Surface Area With Dice 

microbitDice

Lessons

1

Hours

1-3

Type

Lesson

Subject

Math

Grades

5-7

Skill

Beginner

Aligned with DCPS 6th grade Math, Unit 1

Driving Question/Discovery Problem: How can we use our understanding of area calculations to create a functional classroom space using dimensions generated by micro:bit dice?

Real World Connections: Utilization of area calculations to create a functional classroom in which there is enough workspace for all students to complete assignments.   

Lesson Plan       WorkSheet       Coding Guide         Data Sheet        


micro:bit Step Counter 

STEP_Counter

Lessons

1

Hours

1-3

Type

Lesson

Subject

Math

Grades

5-7

Skill

Beginner

Aligned with DCPS 6th grade Math, Units 2/3

Driving Question/Discovery Problem: How can we apply our understanding of ratios and unit rates, combined with the use of a micro:bit step counter, to calculate walking speed?

Real World Connections: Calculation of unit rates and speed without the ability to measure total distance traveled directly. Students can measure their step length, utilize the micro:bit as a step counter, record data for a given period of time, and complete calculations utilizing this data.

Lesson Plan       WorkSheet       Coding Guide         Data Sheet        


micro:bit Light Level Meter 

light meter graphic 3

Lessons

1

Hours

1-3

Type

Lesson

Subject

Math

Grades

5-7

Skill

Beginner

Aligned with DCPS 6th grade Math, Units 4 / 5

Driving Question/Discovery Problem: How can we quantify and compare the amount of light that is available in a variety of locations?

Real World Connections: Students discover that data we may be able to approximate using our senses (in this case, sight) may also be able to be quantified. Quantified data allows a level of specificity that can be very useful.

Lesson Plan       WorkSheet


micro:bit Radio Signal Strength 

microbit radio

Lessons

1

Hours

1-3

Type

Lesson

Subject

Math

Grades

5-7

Skill

Beginner

 Aligned with DCPS 6th grade Math, Unit 6

Driving Question/Discovery Problem: What is the relationship between distance and the strength of radio frequency as measured by a pair of micro:bits?

Real World Connections: The ability to examine data with more than 1 variable allows us to learn a great deal about causation and/or correlation, and to make predictions based on the relationships we have studied.   

Lesson Plan       WorkSheet


micro:bit Timing Gates 

TimingGate

Lessons

1

Hours

1-3

Type

Lesson

Subject

Math

Grades

5-7

Skill

Intermediate

 Aligned with DCPS 6th grade Math, Unit 8

Driving Question/Discovery Problem: How can we use our understanding of area calculations to create a functional classroom space using dimensions generated by micro:bit dice?

Real World Connections: Utilization of area calculations to create a functional classroom in which there is enough workspace for all students to complete assignments.   

Lesson Plan       WorkSheet       Instructions      Coding Guide

micro:bit Robotics (Course) 

Robotics

Lessons

1

Hours

1-3

Type

Lesson

Subject

Math

Grades

5-7

Skill

Intermediate

 Aligned with DCPS 6th grade Math, Unit 8

A multi day summer camp or after school curriculum. Use the micro:bit to create robotic inventions of your own design. First work individually to build a robo pet then with the skills learned to invent a robot. 

Lesson Plan

micro:bit Wearables (Course)

Wearables

Lessons

1

Hours

1-3

Type

Lesson

Subject

Math

Grades

5-7

Skill

Intermediate

 Aligned with DCPS 6th grade Math, Unit 8

A multi day summer camp or after school curriculum. Use the micro:bit to create wearable projects like the step counter then add a wrist worn gadget that tells you how many steps you walked. First work individually to build a step counter then work with a team using the skills learned to invent a wearable device of your own design.  

Lesson Plan


Creative Commons Licensing Details

This resource page is designed to provide free computer science curricula for educators regardless of background or subject matter expertise. It is licensed under a Creative Commons license so you can remix, adapt, and build upon the material for noncommercial purposes only, as attribution is given to the creator, Boolean Girl. 

 This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms.

CC BY-NC-SA includes the following elements:
BY  – Credit must be given to the creator
NC  – Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted
SA  – Adaptations must be shared under the same terms

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