Students focus on tech for Computer Science Week
Students in the photo are coding the next step in explaining “#CSEverywhere” during Computer Science Education Week. Shemeaka King’s second-grade class at Mill Creek Elementary School was the winner in the technical challenge. CONTRIBUTED
Bob Jones High School, James Clemens High School, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
10:30 pm Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Students focus on tech for Computer Science Week

MADISON — For Computer Science Education Week on Dec. 5-9, elementary students in Madison City Schools received a fun but challenging task.

It was “time for creative minds to use their computer science talents,” Dr. Ed Nichols, MCS Superintendent, said.

Students were tasked with creating a video or animated code to explain what “#CSEverywhere” or “Computer Science Everywhere” means to them. Students vied for two VEX Robotics Kits as prizes.

By working with coding and other technical disciplines, students learned about critical thinking and computer skills.

“We had a very successful Computer Science Education Week,” Nichols said. “It was exciting to see students flexing their computational thinking skills and using technology in creative ways.”

Situated in class, the media center and common areas, students engaged with LEGO Wedo, Mars Rover challenges, Deck the Halls Breakout, various coding exercises, Google Earth Scavenger Hunts and other pursuits.

Winners in the districtwide tech challenge were Shemeaka King’s second-grade class at Mill Creek Elementary School. Fourth-grader Estaban Jerez in Joanne Hulvey’s class at Horizon Elementary School won among individual entries.

At Heritage Elementary School, the Mars Rover challenge was the culmination of the fourth-grade coding unit for teacher Amber Merrill’s gifted class. “Our students used the basic Sam Labs car kit or built their own design out of LEGOs to create their rover,” Merrill said.

“The programming challenge was for their rover to drive autonomously from point A to point B without running over a crater or getting stuck on ‘rocks,’” Merrill said. “They first learned how to make their rover drive straight, forwards and backwards, and how to make 90-degree turns.”

Merrill’s students had to apply that driving knowledge to reach precise distances and turn at various degrees. “There’s no one right way to solve the challenge. Students must use ingenuity, teamwork and communication, in addition to their knowledge of math and programming,” Merrill said.

At Midtown Elementary School, third-graders in Lauren Cecil’s class completed “Deck the Halls” virtual breakout rooms that tested students’ math, computational science, space awareness, writing and coding skills.

At Mill Creek Elementary School, library-media specialist Kris Gray led a Rudolph the Reindeer game for students to solve four challenges for combinations to multiple locks on a treasure chest with prizes.

“These incredible learning opportunities happened across the district, even down to the kindergarten and pre-kindergarten level,” MCS Public Relations Manager John Peck said. “Some activities involved visits by elementary students for assistance from science students at Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools. Great collaboration!”

MCS staff thanked VEX Robotics for donating robotic kits. Rachel Gibbs, who works as MCS Elementary Instructional Technology Specialist, coordinated the challenge contest.

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *