Expanding Your Coding Knowledge Bundle Grades: 6-8 Number of Students: 24+ Highlights: Why STEMfinity Bundles? STEMfinity Bundles offer curated, seamlessly integrated educational product collections designed for your classroom or makerspace. Our expertly assembled bundles ensure compatibility and immediate utility. They are fully customizable; if you already own components or have specific needs, our STEM Experts will tailor the perfect solution for you. Get comprehensive learning solutions adaptable to your existing resources. Expanding Your Coding Knowledge Bundle (Grades 6-8) This high-powered bundle turns middle school classrooms into launchpads for future coders, engineers, and tech innovators. Designed for Grades 6–8, it introduces drones, AI, Python, app development, robotics, and physical computing in a hands-on, project-based format. Perfect for CS electives, makerspaces, and advanced tech clubs. Students explore AI and robotics with the UBTECH uKit AI, programming smart robots using vision and voice sensors. CoDrone EDU kits bring Python and block coding to life with drone flight challenges and classroom competitions. With MAD-learn, students design and build mobile apps—experiencing the full development cycle and applying entrepreneurial thinking. The bundle emphasizes real coding: students write Python on CodeX and CodeBot devices, build circuits with Arduino Starter Kits, and develop games using visual or script-based tools (MakeCode, Pygame, or Unity basics). Cross-platform projects (e.g., a robot with a custom Arduino sensor) encourage invention and interdisciplinary learning. All hardware is organized in a labeled Gratnells cart, and educator PD (UBTECH, Firia Labs, CoDrone, etc.) is included to ensure smooth implementation, even for non-CS specialists. Target Audience: Grades 6–8 STEM educators, tech clubs, and robotics programs preparing students for high school CS and engineering with advanced, future-ready tools. Key Highlights: Advanced Coding Proficiency: This bundle moves students from block coding into full text-based programming in multiple languages (Python, C for Arduino, possibly JavaScript or C# for app and game dev). By exposing them to these languages in a scaffolded way, it removes the intimidation factor. Students learn to think like programmers, not just drag-and-drop coders, by writing and analyzing real code. They also learn how to read documentation and use coding tools – skills that will serve them in any future CS coursework. Exploration of Cutting-Edge Tech: Drones and AI robots bring current technology trends into the classroom. Students get a taste of AI and machine learning (training a robot to recognize visuals, for instance) and understand what those buzzwords mean. They explore how autonomous systems work (drones, self-driving robots), which can spark interest in fields like aerospace, AI development, or robotics engineering. By demystifying these technologies early, we broaden their horizons and career aspirations. Emphasis on Creation & Invention: Middle schoolers are bursting with ideas and the skills to execute them. This bundle encourages them to move from consuming technology to creating it. Build an app to solve a community issue, program a drone to take an aerial class photo, design a game to teach younger kids – these projects make learning relevant and give students a sense of purpose. In doing so, they also practice project management, teamwork, and communication. Many of these tools (e.g., MAD-learn, CoDrone, CodeBot) support collaborative work, so students can tackle larger projects in groups, preparing them for collaborative STEM work in the future. High School Readiness and Beyond: By the end of 8th grade with this bundle, students will have done things many don’t do until high school or even college: written Python code, built circuits, programmed AI behaviors, developed functioning apps. They will walk into high school computer science classes with confidence and likely inspire their peers. Moreover, they’ll have a portfolio of projects – perhaps a game, an app prototype, a robot they built – which is incredible for their age. This not only boosts their self-efficacy but also sets them on a trajectory to pursue advanced STEM courses, competitions (like robotics or science fairs), and even consider STEM careers. Essentially, this bundle helps create future-ready students who are not just users of technology, but proficient makers and problem-solvers. Comprehensive Teacher Support: A bundle this advanced acknowledges that teachers need support to implement it effectively. The inclusion of multiple PD opportunities (UBTECH coaching, Firia Labs training, CoDrone PD, etc.) is a key strength. Educators will not feel alone venturing into new territories like AI or app development. With training, detailed curricula, and technical support from STEMfinity’s network, teachers can confidently facilitate these high-tech learning experiences. When teachers feel capable, they can truly unleash the potential of the bundle for their students, creating a classroom atmosphere of innovation and growth. What's Included: (1) uKit AI Intermediate (1) UBTECH Live Virtual Introductory Training + Coaching Professional Development (1) MAD-learn Classroom Package, 1-Year (1) CoDrone EDU - Classroom 12 Pack with PD included (1) Introduction to Game Development- 99 Students (2) Arduino Education Starter Kit (1) CodeX with Python Kit (1) Mission Pack: Lift-Off! Peripherals Kit (1) CodeBot with Python Kit (1) Firia Labs Virtual PD-4 Hour (1) Gratnells Callero Plus Treble Cart - 16 Shallow Trays and 4 Deep Trays (4) Gratnells SortED Removable Tray Inserts (1) STEM 101 Coding - Virtual PD Special Notes and Considerations: Custom Bundles: Not seeing a bundle that fits your classroom or afterschool needs? No need to worry, our STEM experts have you covered! Please request a quote here and our STEM experts will happily walk you though our STEM catalog and build out the perfect STEM bundle to meet all of your educational needs.
