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Colab

Coding Activity Facilitator Guide​

Schedule​

  • Lecture (up to 1 hour);
  • Python activity + Discussion (up to 2 hours);
  • Google CoLab notebook ”SAL Activity” provided in Google Drive.

Python Activity Instructions​

Introductory Lecture​

Please utilize the accompanying Introductory Lecture Slides for this activity.

Before the Workshop​

  • Before the workshop begins, please send out an email to the organizers asking them to ensure that all participants have a Google GSuite account, are familiar with Google Drive, and have the Google CoLaboratory (Colab) extension installed.
  • Participants should also be encouraged to explore the Colab welcome site prior to the workshop if they are not familiar with the platform.
  • The recommended browser for this workshop is Google Chrome.
⚠️ If participants do not have Google CoLab, they can do so with the following process (expand)

1. Click the “New” button on the left hand side of the Google drive page.​



2. Then scroll down to the “More” option from the popup menu.​



3. Next, scroll down to the “Connect More Apps” option on the second pop up menu and click on it.​



4. This should bring up the Google Workspace Marketplace.​



5. Use the search bar to search for Colaboratory, and select the option that shows up.​



6. Click the blue “Install” button, give the extension the necessary permissions.​



... and you should be set up!​

During the Workshop Introduction​

Provide students with the link to the zip file containing the notebook and relevant data files:

  • Ask the students to download the zip file onto their computer, and unzip the files.
  • Then, ask them to upload the folder to their Google Drive and rename the folder “THEIRNAME_WorkshopName”. The path to get to the folder should be ‘/content/drive/My Drive/THEIRNAME_WorkshopName.
  • Ask the students to modify the path in Block 4 to reflect this During the Workshop
  • When the students run code block #13, which creates the first .html map, let them know that the .html file will be saved in the Google Drive folder they created. - They will need to download the file onto their computers and then double click to open it in their web browser and interact with it.
  • Please ensure they know which location they are saving the .html file to (eg, Desktop or Downloads folder).

Discussion prompts​

  • What do you think the biggest issues surrounding pollution hotspots in The Bronx are, versus where you are?
  • Have you, your friends, family, or coworkers been affected by air pollution? What do you hope can be done about it?
  • Share what you learned about different methods of environmental sensing.