Looking for a hands-on way to boost student engagement? This session explores how Makey Makeys and Scratch can transform traditional projects into interactive learning experiences. Designed for educators and tech integrators working with upper elementary (grades 4-5) and middle school students, this session accommodates a range of computer science knowledge levels, from novice to intermediate. Whether you’re new to Makey Makeys or are looking for fresh ideas, you’ll leave with practical strategies for integrating these tools into your classroom. We’ll start with an overview of how students can create self-presenting posters using Makey Makeys and Scratch. Students research a topic, use their organizer as a script, record themselves sharing information beyond the information provided on the poster, and then program their posters to respond to touch. Past topics have included natural disasters, the water cycle, the rock cycle, and the layers of the earth, but this approach can be applied to any subject. Once they understand the fundamentals, students can explore additional creative applications of Makey Makey and Scratch beyond self-presenting posters. Following the presentation, participants will have time to experiment with the technology and brainstorm ways to implement it. By the end of the session, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to introduce Makey Makey into your teaching, sparking creativity and engagement in your students.
