CODING CURRICULUMS
Students as young as kindergarten-
ers are learning to code and to develop
an understanding of how programming
allows them to create from their key-
boards. LEGO robotics club is just one
example of where students can explore
computational thinking and watch
their digital commands create action
in the physical world — and, of course,
make robots.

M O B I L E I N N OVAT I O N L A B
In 2016, BCPS launched its Mobile Innova-
tion Lab, a makerspace for students housed
in an old school bus that travels among ele-
mentary schools. The lab features a 3D
printer, a computerized cutting machine,
mini-drones, LEGOs and robots for student
experimentation. D O K I D S S T I L L H AV E
T E X T B O O KS ?
Yes, but no more chunky textbooks and
unreasonably heavy backpacks. While
BCPS and APS students still have access
to paper books and magazines in their
libraries, more options are available in
e-book format. A big advantage of digi-
tal materials is accessibility. While print
textbooks are still used in the class-
room, online libraries like APS’s 24/7
“MackinVia” portal, provide expan-
sive access to endless resources on a
public-school budget. ■
COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
L E G O ROB OTICS CL UB is just o ne exa mpl e
o f w here st udent s can ex plo re co mput a t io n al
th i n ki ng a nd wa t ch t hei r digit al co mmand s
c r e at e act i o n i n t he physica l wo rld — a nd, o f
c o u rs e, ma ke ro bo t s.

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