SCRATCH Nation - Summer Enrichment Opportunity

"When I use Scratch with students, I see them discover the excitement of “controlling” the computer. The great thing about Scratch is that it supports bottom up design and allows students to tinker and grow. You can find my presentation below." Source: Journey with Technology This summer, students in grades 5-8 will have the opportunity to participate in a Science, Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Summer Enrichment opportunity. This initiative will be known as SCRATCH. SCRATCH Nation is a... ...one week, a 3-hour per day (12 hours total) course, students will learn how to apply grade level math and science in simulated real world projects. Each project utilizes a sample set of applications of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts.  Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share your creations on the web. As young people create and share Scratch projects, they learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively. (Source: http://www.stemchallenge.org/resources/Scratch.aspx) Project based learning methods are used in a lab environment. Students will demonstrate their finished projects to an online global audience and video interviews made available via the STEM ScratchNation web site. SCRATCH Nation facilitators include Marguerite Lowak (ECTO Instructional Technology Specialist) and Calvin Orsak (ECTO's Programming Expert). Class Objectives To learn the basics of computer programming using two intuitive programming languages called Scratch®  To understand how computers work To introduce basic problem solving techniques using computers and computer algorithms To introduce the Open Source® software To help build soft skills to work in a team environment Participants will receive the following: SCRATCH Programmer T-shirt 1 USB flash drive with Scratch software Sample Projects Scratch Tours Daily Outline (click to enlarge) Curriculum "Let's Play!" Game Design with Scratch More Scratch Resources STEM info from U.T. Dana Center