Curriculum
A Progressive Engineering and Computer Science-Based Curriculum Aligned to National Education Standards
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Elementary School Program
Grades Pre-K - 1st
Educators mentor students to develop foundational fluencies prerequisite to all STEM learning, like spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and symbolization. While many children learn these fluencies at home, this program helps fill in critical gaps that may exist, especially for underserved students.
Curriculum Units
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Elementary School Program
Grades 2nd - 5th
Students jump into the shoes of real engineers as they explore mechanical and structural engineering, applied mathematics, and coding and robotics. Students apply what they have learned through creative invention challenges.
Curriculum Units
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Middle School Program
Grades 6th - 8th
Students explore concepts in mechanical and structural engineering, physics, rapid prototyping and 3D printing, and coding and robotics. These experiences will help students develop a lasting interest in STEM.
Curriculum Units
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Looking for curriculum supported by our older labs? Click Here
A Progression of STEM Learning
Kid Spark materials and supporting curriculum help students learn foundational STEM fluencies the moment they enter school, and then build upon their learning every year. As students develop content knowledge and skill they will gain confidence in their ability to design, engineer, and invent new things.
Teaching Computer Science?
Kid Spark Education offers a unique approach to introducing children to the world of computer science. In grades Pre-K - 1st, students learn foundational STEM Fluencies that will help prepare them for computer science learning. In grades 2nd - 8th, students take a deep dive as they explore how to build and program different types of robotics systems.
Grades Pre-K - 1st
In Kid Spark’s Pre-K - 1st Grade Program, young students learn foundational STEM fluencies that are a prerequisite to all STEM learning, including computer science.
Some examples of STEM fluencies include:
- Spatial Reasoning - The ability to envision objects or ideas in three dimensions.
Why it’s important: Whether it's building a physical robot or creating a program that tells the robot what to do, children must be able to think spatially in order to engage in coding and robotics type learning activities.
- Sequence & Correspondence - The ability to follow steps in order and place objects in a precise way.
Why it’s important: Writing a computer program is like writing a set of instructions. In order for the program to do what is intended, it must be constructed in an orderly and logical way.
- Creative Problem Solving - The ability to work through or analyze problems and explore different ways to solve them.
Why it’s important: In order to be a good roboticist or computer programmer you must be able to troubleshoot problems and explore different ways to solve them.
Note: This STEM Lab does not include any electronics or robotics materials.
Grades 2nd - 8th
In Kid Spark’s late elementary and middle school programs, students get hands-on with the materials in the STEM Pathways Lab as they learn basic computer science concepts and practices.
What’s Included:
- Over 40+ hours of Coding and Robotics Curriculum - Deep resource of online learning materials including interactive programming tutorials, teacher lesson plans, student workbooks, open-ended challenges, example programs, and more. Children learn how to use conditional statements, functions, loops, variables, and more.
- Online Professional Development - Access to Kid Spark’s online library of professional learning modules and courses for educators.
- Spark:bit Robotics Controller - Micro:bit-based, programmable robotics controller that can be combined with sensors, motors, and other Kid Spark engineering materials. Supported by Microsoft’s MakeCode programming environment.
- Compatible with most operating systems including Chromebook, MacOS, and Windows.
- Includes Motor Override Mode feature which supports learning in non-programming environments
Aligned to Educational Standards
Kid Spark lessons are aligned to the following national education standards. Click on the links below to learn more.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
International Society for Technology in Education Standards (ISTE)
Computer Science Teachers Association Standards (CSTA)
Common Core (CC)
Speak with a Program Specialist
Want to learn more about how to get a Kid Spark STEM Program started in your school or informal learning space?