We are often looking for new and inventive ways to ‘hook’ students and get them excited about engaged about what we are doing in the classroom. One way to do that is to connect classroom learning experiences to events and happenings outside of school - particularly when there are things unique to your area, town, or city.
This weekend is the annual Picklesburgh Festival in Downtown Pittsburgh, and as I was driving past the setup over the last few days, it made me think about what kinds of fun ‘pickle themed’ activities you could do with your students. Here’s a few ideas that could be done across the continuum…
One of the big features of Picklesburgh is a GIANT floating pickle marking the site of the festival.
Floating pickles - You could challenge students to attach a giant pickle above their robot - the group that gets their pickle floating the highest wins! (Think of a pickled version of tallest tower.) Level up the challenge to make the robot have to drive without the pickle falling.
Pickle Parade - Have students create a pickle themed parade float on their 123, Code Base, BaseBot, etc. They can decorate their robot however they want, then code it through a pickle parade! Offer awards for creativity, most pickled, uniqueness, or best pickle facts!
Build Your Own Pickle - In a timed challenge, have teams compete to see who can construct the ‘best’ pickle from the pieces in their Kit. There could be different categories - like longest pickle or most ‘realistic’ looking pickle, and you could augment the Kit with classroom craft supplies.
Shopping for Pickles - Add different unique pickle products all around a Field that are worth different points (or amounts of money). Challenge students to collect as many points/$ as possible in a timed trial by coding their robot to drive to collect pickle products!
What are some special events that you could shape classroom activities around in your area?
