Author Archives: Georgia Lascaris

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About Georgia Lascaris

Computer Science Teacher

SOL Implementation of the LS “Technology to prevent Earthquakes, Safe Cities for all”

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Introduction

School: 2nd Primary School of Nea Erythraia, Athens, Greece
Name: Georgia Lascaris
Class: 6th Grade (11 to 12 years old)
Implementation Dates: 1/2/2021-26/2/2021
Link to the Learning Scenario: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mzToyk3kdDXzxWPSKWvSim6zYCqZChU_/view

 Abstract:

This learning scenario was created during the “Stem is everywhere” MOOC and aimed to introduce integrated STEM teaching in our classrooms.
Greece ranks sixth in the most seismic countries in the world and earthquakes are in the everyday life of our students. During this learning scenario, students build their own seismograph by programming their BBC micro:bit (pocket-sized computer) to detect and react to earthquakes.
Using the micro:bit built-in accelerometer sensor, they record the magnitude of an earthquake. Each time an earthquake is detected, the micro:bit responds in various ways: lights up the led panel according to the intensity of the earthquake creates a plot graph as a graphical representation of the earthquake’s vibrations, triggers a sound and visual alarm.
The students acquire a basic understanding of earthquakes, of the notions of acceleration-velocity-gravity and how seismologists can track and interpret earthquakes. Through those activities, the students understand how technology (Tech4good) can be used to solve major challenges like natural disasters (SD Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities).
Students also realize the importance of designing inclusive solutions by taking into account people’s disabilities: visual or sound alarm for people with visual or hearing impairment (SD Goal 10: Reduced inequalities).

Implementation context:

This scenario has been implemented both in the classroom and in remote teaching during the ICT and Computer Science lessons. It involved 3 STEM subjects ( Computer Science programming- micro:bit in makecode.org, Physics-acceleration, acceleration units, Natural Science- discovering what is an earthquake and what causes them) and one no STEM subject ( Art – build with recycling materials different type of buildings on different grounds and test how they will behave in case of an earthquake).

The students worked in teams of 2 to 4 ( classroom or breakout rooms) using their micro:bit board (or using an online micro:bit simulator). The age of the students was 11-12 years old and they already had basic coding skills in programming micro:bit sensors and a basic understanding on earthquakes issues (curriculum: ICT and computer science, geography and physics). For this reason, part2 of the Learning Scenario (Investigating about Earthquakes, causes and impact) was merged with part1 of the scenario (Introduction to the problem (Earthquakes) and how technology could help to find a solution). The last part (Part 5: Drawing and making buildings to test their resistance to Earthquakes) couldn’t be implemented due to Covid19 schools’ closure.

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Good Health and Well-being with the help of Artificial Intelligence and the BBC Micro: bit

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Introduction

School: 2nd Primary School of Nea Erythraia, Athens, Greece
Teacher: Georgia Lascaris
Class: 6th Grade (11 to 12 years old)
Implementation period: March 2021

Goal: Solving real world problems for Sustainable Development Goal 3 Good Health and Well-being” with the help of technology: coding, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence – Machine Learning

Abstract

New technologies as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and smart mobile devices are already influencing and shaping every aspect of our daily lives and can be a powerful ally to help us with real global problems.
Through the European eTwinning program “Micro Circuits for Mega Solutions”, with the participation of schools from Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Spain and Latvia, the 6rth grade students from the Primary School of Nea Erythraia, Athens, Greece, are introduced to the basic concepts of:
a) coding using BBC Micro: bit (palm-sized computer )
b) The Internet of Things (IoT) 
c) Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
d) 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Through fun, collaborative and interdisciplinary activities, they dreamed, designed, coded, and implemented applications to simulate smart devices that could be a solution to real global problems and improve people’s daily lives. By understanding the way those new technologies work, they could realize their possibilities as well as their limits and how to use them for good (Technology for Good).

After schools’ closure because of the Covi19 pandemic, these activities were implemented through synchronous  and asynchronous distance education (Webex, eclass) using online tools such as breakout rooms, micro: bit MakeCode platform, Web2.0 simulators…. 

In March, all our activities were based on Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Wellness as the Covid19 pandemic reminded us in the harshest way of how valuable good physical and mental health are.

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BBC Micro:bit to help Children with Rare Diseases

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General Informations:

School: 2nd Primary School of Nea Erythraia, Athens, Greece
Class: 5th grade (10 to 11 years old)
Teacher: Georgia Lascaris
Implementation dates: 15/2/2021-19/2/2021
Subject: interdisciplinary, ICT and Computer Science

Introduction

This activity was part of the European programs Erasmus+ KA3, “Teachers For Europe: setting an Agora for Democratic Culture” and eTwinning “Teachers For Europe: Democratic Values ​​in the Era of Artificial Intelligence“. It aimed not only to raise awareness about children with rare diseases but also to involve the students to use the technology (BBC Micro:bit) to create real-life solutions for those children.
This activity was implemented synchronously and asynchronously (Webex, e-class) during Covid19 schools’ closure, using web2.0 tools and the micro:bit Classroom tool.

Implementation

First,  the students, through a variety of activities, became aware of the issue of rare diseases through videos and testimonials, created flyers with supporting messages and collaborated with their classmates from other schools across Europe through a digital board – Rare Disease Day 2021.

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Me the A.I #2.0: Artificial Intelligence activity

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Author: Georgia Lascaris

Project: Me the A.I #2.0
School: 2nd P.S of Nea Erythraia, Athens
Students: 6th grade
Subject: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Implementation: 12 – 26 February 2020

Introduction

This STEM activity is one of the various activities of the European eTwinning project “ME THE A.I 2.0” held in cooperation between Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Lithuania, Spain, Latvia, Cyprus, and Italy. The project started in September 2019. It aims to introduce students with the basics of Artificial Intelligence through various activities and, more specifically, make them:
1. Realize how AI works, the range of possible AI uses, and its limitations.
2. Reflect on the ethical issues raised by AI (stereotypes, biases, personal data).
3. Explore how it can help humans with solving the world’s biggest challenges.

Machine Learning Model Activity

In the past month, the students were in the activities about the safe use of the Internet. Therefore, we decided to use AI for helping us detect harmful pictures that appear on the Internet. For this purpose, we used the free web tool “Machine Learning for Kids”. The idea was to create and train a Machine Learning Model (M.L) to recognize ‘harmful‘ and ‘harmless’ pictures. And then, code a game in Scratch which would use this M.L to categorize pictures.

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Robot Quiz ‘Little Seekers’

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Author: Georgia Lascaris

This STEM activity is one of the many STEM activities of the European eTwinning project “Little Seekers”. This project involved schools from Greece, Poland, Romania, and Turkey.

The 4o Primary School of  Pefkis (Athens, Greece) has been part of this project with students of the 4th Grade (9 to 10 years old). The project started in September 2019 and all activities were completed in March 2020. Our school has received a Lego Wedo2 set from the eTwinning NSS to take part in eTwinning STEM actions.

The project aimed to involve the students in STEM activities through collaborative, experiential, and problem-solving actions. Through those activities, they were able to gain digital competencies in line with the DigComp 2.1.Framework for Citizens. These also include information management, communication, content creation, digital safety, and problem-solving.

LegoWedo robots

Students created digital content, built and programmed robots, designed and printed 3D objects, created electrical circuits and learned how to use the Internet with safety.

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