NECC 2008 materials from Karen North
SIGCT seeks to advance the practice of teaching computing and computer science in PK–12 education.
www.iste.org/SIGCT/
COMPUTING OUTREACH
Karen North
knorth@houstonisd.org
http://teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/knorth/
As a Math, Computer Science and Master Technology Teacher, I have been working to increase programs that teach computational and logical thinking since the 1980s. The change in the 21st century is the enormous amount of online programs and resources that support computing. A STEM computing program developer staffed in schools to coordinate implementation of all the resources is needed. Hands-on is the best way for student to learn I.T. skills and at the same time practice math and science concepts. Increasing exposure to computing programs through after-school hours and implemented by businesses and other community support systems are most effective.
The resources below show the passion of educators to reach and teach students. In “The Last Lecture” (http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/) Randy Pausch, computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon said the only hope to finding a cure for the cancer that is killing him is the scientific method. Educators must develop research brains. His last lecture was for his children. My fight is for my children, those in the classroom who are being left behind using 21st century computing resources.
The resources below were submitted by educators to share their work with students. The ISTE SIGCT wiki will continue to develop and disseminate information on computing outreach resources. Please join us at http://sigct.iste.wikispaces.net/.
COMPUTING RESOURCES
Karen North, SIGCT MS Rep
1. Scouting – Eagle Scout project and Girl Scout Gold Award http://www.gssjc.org/
2. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers http://www.tryengineering.org/home.php
3. Offshore Energy Center: http://www.oceanstaroec.com/
Mobile Offshore Learning Units (MOLU)
4. American Association of University Women
STEM Support - http://www.aauw.org/education/ngcp/
Expanding Your Horizons Conferences - http://www.aauw-whc.org/eyh/index.html
5. U.T. First Bytes Workshops http://www.cs.utexas.edu/~firstbytes/summercamp/index.html
6. Texas Girls Collaborative Project: http://texasgirls.engr.utexas.edu/
7. Rice University http://ceee.rice.edu/programs.html
Scott Horan, SIGCT HS Rep
IT Internship and Resource Teacher; Jefferson County Public Schools; scott.horan@jefferson.kyschools.us
1. Cool Tech Camps: an opportunity for 6th and 7th graders in Louisville, KY area. The camps range from Graphics to Programming to Wireless Networking to Computer Repair to GIS (mapping). These hands on and highly engaging week-long camps provide an opportunity for students to be exposed to cutting edge technology and are taught by certified computer instructors from computer programs in our JCPS high schools. They will be assisted by high school computer interns. http://www.cooltechcamps.org/
2. Student Help Desk: If you are teaching a technology related course, chances are your students are being asked to help fix computers in various classes. Why not make it a co-curricular activity. Nothing helps student learn how to problem solve than physical activity. There are many sources that can help you with this.
• Kentucky has a technology service organization that can be likened to a high tech Beta Club, called Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) http://www.kde.state.ky.us/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Technology/Student+Initiatives/STLP+Student+Technology+Leadership+Program/
• Or easier, just Google “STLP”. This student organization has elementary, middle and high school adaptations and a state conference and competitions.
3. Computer Technology Industry Association: Another great resource is CompTIA. It has an educational component called E2C. Not only are their tons of member schools to share info with, but a great website, a national conference called Breakaway held in early August every year (this year Aug 2 at the Orlando Gaylord Center), and standards for many of your classes (Repair, Networking, Wiring, Security, etc). Their site is www.comptia.org/e2c
Joe Kmoch, President SIGCT
The iFair Event: promote middle and high school kid’s excitement about potential careers in information technology in a tradeshow atmosphere followed by an interactive panel. There have been four fairs in the last year involving about 2000 students. Two more are planned. About a dozen businesses exhibit from a core about 20 companies. Additionally 6-8 post secondary CS/IT programs also exhibit. Poster Session today 7-1-2008 at NECC 1:30 pm -3:00 pm HGCC Tower View Lobby, Table: 21. Learn how a business/school partnership has developed and implemented events to promote computer science, information technology, and engineering careers to kids in grades 7-12. http://ifair-pbwiki.com
Brian Harvey, Berkeley Computer Science Professor
Elementary School LOGO Programming: “The most powerful of software tools is the programming language ... an important role for the teacher is as a sort of human tool, a consultant on ways and means, rather than an initiator of activities for students." - 1980. Currently I am teaching Logo to 4th and 5th graders in an after-school program at a local elementary school where I volunteer two days a week. The school has eMacs using Berkeley Logo, Microworlds, and Scratch. http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~bh/ .
Chris Stephenson, Istanbul University, Turkey
High School Computer Clubs Project: There are around ten hours of video and ten weeks of worksheets. Around 1200 high school students have visited the site. You need to subscribe to look round the site at http://kleene.cs.bilgi.edu.tr/learn/login/index.php; English version: Istanbul_Stephenson.pdf on file.
Emmanuel Schanzer, Northeastern University
Submitted by Kathi Fisler, kfisler@cs.wpi.edu
Bootstrap: This is an after-school program for middle-school students. It's been designed and run by Emmanuel Schanzer, a member of http://www.teach-scheme.org Programming Language Team (PLT) List Serve in a collection of schools in the greater Boston area for the past couple of years. The program runs an hour a week for 10 weeks. Most participants are from at-risk/inner-city middle schools. The program has been running in conjunction with Citizen Schools (citizenschools.org).
Mike Quarles, Technology Student Association El Paso, Texas
TSA After School: In my Career and Technology class at Hornedo Middle School I challenge myself to pique students' interest in technology. I host an after school program and am the advisor of a Chapter of the Technology Student Association. I'm always looking for connections for my students to other 8th grade students and programs. Would love to show you what our students are doing in West Texas
Contact: mdquarle@episd.org
URL: http://webaccess.episd.org/lv/053/hp.nsf/Files/mdquarle/$File/QPageHMS.html
Technology Student Association: http://www.tsaweb.org/
IT – Fast Growing Field: http://tsa.timberlakepublishing.com/files/Fast-Grow%20IT.pdf
Sharon Tuttle, Humboldt State University
American Indians in Computing Camp: I will be using DrScheme/HtDP for Native American students entering 11th Grade and 12th Grade at its one-week NSF-Sponsored Coalition for American Indians in Computing (CAIC) summer camps in July 2008. The purpose is to encourage Native American students to consider studying computing; we want to try to let students know how computing can allow them to contribute to their communities. The programming part is one of several components, including college preparation, language preservation (using ACORNS software), Adobe Photoshop, and cultural activities.
Contact: st10@humboldt.edu
URL: http://www.humboldt.edu/~caic
Wendy Huang, M.I.T. Scheller Teacher Education Program Manager
StarLogo TNG: The Next Generation of StarLogo modeling and simulation software curriculum uses computer game design as the motivation and theme to introduce programming to middle or high school students. The unit was piloted last school year in an after school program for 7th and 8th graders and in an Arizona computer class. The students were enthusiastic about making a computer game and found the interface easy to use. Students and teachers used SL-TNG's agents-based, graphical programming interface and 3-D graphics to create and understand simulations and complex systems. Over the course of 10 lessons, students gain the programming knowledge to develop their own "Treasure Hunt" game, a complex system that includes multiple agents and first person game play. They learn programming basics including variables, forever loop, Boolean logic in if/then statements, procedures and abstractions.
Contact: wh1@mit.edu
Free beta software: http://education.mit.edu/starlogo-tng
Free game curriculum unit: http://education.mit.edu/drupal/gamecurriculum
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