Families explored robots and coding at K-5 Family Technology Night

Visitors to Colonial Elementary School got an inside look at what students are learning in Technology class during the Colonial School District’s K–5 Family Technology Night.   

The evening featured six interactive stations where families could try their hand at coding with Scratch, participate in the global Hour of Code and AI activities, and explore four different robots. The robots included Sphero Bolt, TaleBot, Indi, and the new Vinci Bot that is used in fourth and fifth grade. 

For Conshohocken Elementary kindergartner Willa Frey, her favorite thing was playing with the robots. “One of them you put a marker in it, you do code, and it makes a picture," she said.

Conshohocken Elementary technology teacher Nina Pratowski enjoyed watching students take the lead. “The adults were shocked at what the kids were able to do,” she said. “It was fun seeing the students show off their coding skills.”

Families had a chance to meet the Technology teachers at the event and also received technology tips and resources. But, really, they were just as excited — if not more excited — to try the robots and coding for themselves. 

“The event was most definitely a success,” said Plymouth Elementary technology teacher Christine Ehrlich. “Families were impressed by the great things happening in Colonial and were enjoying themselves right up until the last moment of the night.”

Volunteers from the Plymouth Whitemarsh High School AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) classes and National Honor Society also helped set up the activities and keep the night running smoothly.