TABLE23: The Dance of Drones: Choreographing with Code

Everyone loves a show. Have you ever wondered how to use code to create a performance? Do you have students who are passionate about the performing and media arts, but who struggle to make connections between creative fields and technology? Look no further! Getting started with performative coding can be as easy as 1, 2, 3 with drones!This workshop explores coding drones (robots) to perform an aerial ballet, complete, with real time movements, storytelling, and a music score- to create a “Dance of the Drones”. The drones, lighter than a softball and are made from flexible plastic for safety, can be coded by students to move automatically. This small collection of small drones can be flown very safely around the school or classroom, controlled by various apps or student-programmed code. The students can use coding blocks or Python code to program a drone to fly in a variety of directions, choreographing their own “dance”. Adding in LEDs to the dance of drones can become a stunning “firelight” show. This session will focus on implementing Studio-Based Learning (SBL) as a way to introduce coding into various content areas.