LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – If you're over 40, you probably remember the cell phones that used to visit schools. Calcasieu Parish now has a “mobile makerspace” bus that provides students with the latest technology.
You've probably heard about workspaces. The bus provides a “makerspace” for students to explore and share the high-tech tools they learn.
Oak Park Middle School uses iPads and coding languages to program robots to take specific routes.
Student Ava Fay says it's a fun way to learn. It can be used for food delivery services, etc.
“You put the robot at the starting point and count how much space it needs to get to the destination. When you use the app the way it's set up, it's like little instructions that control the robot.”
Kim LeBlanc is the Chief Technology Officer for the Calcasieu School Board. She says this allows for activities that enhance learning in the classroom.
“We focus on activities that bring all kinds of skills that can prepare children for the future, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and collaboration. Because I don't know if it will turn out to be anything.”
Collaborate with teachers to enrich learning. One of her activities was using programming to control where the drone would drop packages.
“They're using drones to control and deliver Amazon packages, so they actually have to land on the target to deliver the package,” LeBlanc explains.
Inside the bus, you can experience other types of technology, including 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality.
Ca'leaa Simien creates art using something called augmented reality.
“We reduced the sun's rotation and caused the Earth to orbit around the sun,” she explains, showing me digital art on her iPad.
Teachers can now reserve buses for their students. One way is to go on a field trip without leaving the school grounds.
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