Comp_Outreach_resources_sigct_emails

__From Tom Cortina, Carnegie-Mellon University__ 
 * CS Unplugged,** activities to illustrate principles of computer science without using computers (through kinesthetic activities) [|www.csunplugged.org]
 * CS4HS Workshops**, running at a number of universities now (5 this year, more next year) that help teachers by showing them ideas in computer science that they can teach their kids (either in a CS class or other class like math, science, etc., or in an afterschool program). The workshops generally focus on topics beyond computer programming to show that CS is much deeper than just learning a computer language. But most do have a little programming thrown in. [|www.cs.cmu.edu/cs4hs]

__From Paul O'Brien, Technology Director, Southern Berkshire Regional School District, Sheffield, MA__ 
 * Computer Camps:** We are having luck offering summer one-week long camp experiences in robotics, cartoons and java progamming getting our younger kids pumped up about the power of the applications. These three camps are detailed on http://www.sbrsd.org/

__From Ola Olsson, Grant K-8 in San Diego__ 
 * NetLogo Programming:** She writes...since late 2007 I have been teching an introduction to computer programming class to 6th and 7th graders after school two days a week. This is a pilot program and we are a small group of approximately 10 boys and girls. We are using an application called NetLogo http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/ If their enthusiastic dedication, products and parental response are any indicators the program has been a huge success.

From Christopher Michaud, Director of Fine Arts, Nebo Elementary School, Dallas, GA 
 * Scratch** is a great free way to teach programming and computer science concepts to my students...and they really have a lot of fun along the way. http://scratch.mit.edu Additionally, **NXT Robotics** is very exciting for our students at NEBO. Links for both of these are at http://nebomusic.net/computerhelp.html Information about this school's technology program are at http://nebomusic.net/nebotechnologyprogram.html

__From Linda Moses, Technology Coordinator, Orange Middle School, Orange, NJ__  Here is a site called Allen's Guide to Computer Camps around the nation: http://www.allensguide.com/academic/computer/

__From Terri Richards, Technical and Career Education, Schimelpfenig Middle School, Plano, Texas__  From her email: Alice - computer programming in a 3D environment and StoryTelling Alice for middle Grades http://alice.org NXT Robots from http://mindstorms.lego.com Future City Competition [|http://www.futurecity.org] National Engineers Week - she used SimCity in her classroom Construct simulations of real roller coasters http://www.nolimitscoaster.com/

__From Larry Rice, Hawaii__ <[|larryjrice@hotmail.com]> I have seen students excited about computing at the high school level, 9-12, within my classroom completing many types of projects, feel free to ask for more details, info, if needed...Lawrence (Larry) Rice

1) House designs on Softplan (and AutoCAD). In preparation for Architecture (and construction trades) school entry (several students admitted over the last three years), students design single and two-story house designs for teachers (customer requirements collected) at the school (some planned to be built by the teachers). Then students created balsa models of their computer-based designs. Several students won state awards for the designs and models. Their architecture class works were used within portfolios for Architect school entry (UofH-Manoa, ASU, SF School of Arts).

2) Building mashups to Google Earth. Students have measured high school buildings on campus, then they mashed them up to Google Earth, using Google Sketchup to draw in 3D.

3) Students have completed some Google Sketchup conceptional theatre designs in collaboration with Acting/Theatre students at school. The designs are displayed on the Sketchup Gallery http://www.sketchup.com/index.php?id=20&gcid=12&page=1

4) Students design an underwater ROV (remotely-operated vehicle, underwater) in Engineering class. They measured and drew the PVC parts and the ROV assembly. Solidworks posted their parts for all the see and use, the assembly drawing was used by Solidworks to display example student work at trade shows (ASEE last year). http://blogs.solidworks.com/teacher/robotics/index.html (Bottom of page)

5) Students assembled an Onset Computer weather station in engineering class(http://www.onsetcomp.com/products/weather_stations ), they set it up for collection and broadcast on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hualalai mountain, at 5500 feet, in the middle of a cloud forest. The station was programmed to broadcast to the internet via the HOBOware software on the laptop, set up in the field.

5) Engineering students were excited when creating their own 'virtual' CO2 car designs on Solidworks (excellent tutorials), they then completed a fluid flow, aerodynamic analysis of their design on COSMOSFlowWorks, determining how the design could be improved for aerodynamic performance.

6) Students used in-field GPS units, a GPS camera from Ricoh, and mapping software from ESRI (ArcGIS 9.2) to map beach erosion within the Koloko-Honokohau National Park, see Cadalyst article... http://gis.cadalyst.com/gis/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=384181

7) Students used RC planes for Aerial remote sensing of sites for building, taking digital photos from the plane at 100-200 feet elevation (1 foot resolution). The Photos were brought into Google Earth. Google Sketchup was used to create a 3D model of the planned Hawaii Wildlife center, designed by an architecture firm in Boston. The Sketchup model was sent to Rapid Technology Inc. in Honolulu to create a 9 inch square 3D print. The model, with removable roof, is being used by the Hawaii Wildlife center to motivate the final 30% of funding for construction, to be built in Kohala, on the Big Island of Hawaii. See article... http://www.hawaiiwildlifecenter.org/education-articles/high-school-article.htm

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