Coaches showcase screen‑free coding, robotics in Warren County elementary classrooms

Technology integration coaches visited the Warren County School Board to show how coding, robotics and hands‑on computing are being used with elementary students to support Virginia Standards of Learning.

The presenters demonstrated screen‑free “Indy” robot cars used with kindergarten through second grade to teach sequencing and debugging alongside a Valentine‑day reading lesson. They also showed micro:bits configured for math practice and physical computing, and Makey Makey projects that let students build simple circuits and musical instruments. The coaches said these activities are designed to connect directly to classroom learning rather than to be “technology for technology’s sake.”

Board members praised the emphasis on collaboration and problem solving. “Students were explaining their thinking, solving problems independently, and applying classroom learning in new ways,” one coach said during the demonstration. The presentation highlighted Lego League projects in which students combine coding with subject‑area research — last year’s theme was oceans; this year’s was archaeology.

Administrators said the goal is to increase engagement and support SOL mastery while building computational thinking and digital citizenship. The board thanked the presenters and moved on to evening business.