Grades 1–2 · Math + CT · Robots
Spatial Activities and Robot Coding Math Project (SPARC-Math)
SPARC- Math is a DRK12 Design and Development project funded by the National Science Foundation (#2300357). It is a collaboration between university partners and first and second grade teachers. Together we are co-designing integrated math and computational thinking lessons and studying student thinking. The purpose is to empirically develop, test, and refine a Computational Thinking Learning Trajectory (CTLT) for grades 1-2.
Funded by the National Science Foundation · DRK-12 · Award #2300357
Project Goals
What SPARC-Math aims to accomplish
Four connected design & research efforts guide our work with young learners.
1
Learning trajectory
Develop a learning trajectory of computational thinking (CT) for children in grades 1–2.
f(x) CT growth
Design instructional tasks aligned with the developmental progression of the CT learning trajectory (CTLT).
▢ ▢ ▢ Step-wise logic
3
Formative assessment
Develop formative assessments embedded in instruction that provide teachers in-the-moment insight into student learning.
Instant feedback
4
Evaluation studies
Conduct evaluation studies of instructional and assessment tasks in first- and second-grade classrooms.
Σ Classroom data