Hummingbird can be utilized to introduce or enhance programming in classrooms.

It is highly recommended that you choose a program to use for the control board before bringing the Hummingbird into your classroom. The Getting Started page has a list of different programs half way through the page. Please click on your desired program to find out more information on the program and possible lessons that may be compatible with your chosen program.

Hummingbird in the Classroom

1. Tutorial lesson: Dedicate a lesson to teaching the Hummingbird basics. Use the link provided to see how to connect electronics and how to build your first bot. Before students create their own project, choose a program that they will be using. There are short lessons provided by BirdBrain on the link provided with tutorial lessons for novice users. The Getting Started page has a list of the different coding programs for coders of different ages.
2. Planning a Hummingbird Lesson: Make sure you have chosen a program and students are comfortable using it. Next, make sure that the students understand how the different electronics work. Once that is completed, you can explore this page for different project ideas.

BirdBrain Technologies LLC has provided a list of academic standards that align with some of these projects. If you choose to assess students more formally on these projects, this link will lead you to a general grading rubric, this link will lead you to a grading rubric more specific for language arts, and this link will lead you to a grading rubric where the educator assesses students’ understanding of biomechanical parts.

This planning document (by BirdBrain Technologies LLC) may provide a useful place to start for your lesson planning. This worksheet can be used as a template for how students will design their projects.

Please keep in mind that the classroom kit has many different parts. Here is a useful link to make sure all materials are organized.