Beginning to Intermediate LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Assemble and program an autonomous robot using Lego Mindstorms. Initially build stock examples and download recommended programs using a graphical user interface and flowcharting language. Build a "floor turtle" that can draw geometric figures or navigate a maze, a robotic "dog" that follows its owner and barks, a marble sorting machine that recognizes colors, or a humanoid "walker" bot. Learn some fundamental computer programming concepts including flow of control, conditionals, loops, and variables. Best of all, after trying a few of the standard examples, create new robots of your own design while exploring important ideas in mechanics and mathematics!
	Build a Computer Learn to properly handle delicate electronic parts and to identify the components that go into building a powerful, modern computer. Understand how all the parts interconnect to accomplish key functions: input, processing, storage, output. Acquire some of the same skills required for technical certifications. We will work with you in advance to determine your requirements and explain cost/benefit tradeoffs in parts selection for a balanced engineering design. Cost of parts depends on family specs and is not included in tuition; details to be worked out at least two weeks before class. Learn to install operating systems and applications software; preventive maintenance and safe software.
	Computers & Music Learn how music and technology can work together. Use tools like GarageBand to quickly and easily produce your own multi-part tunes. Create a rhythm track to back up your own solo. Think about important musical ideas such as themes and variations, or the relationship between melody notes and changes in the harmony . Create an original work! Understand the differences between synthesizers and samplers. Learn about different types of music software, such as sequencers, notation software, and practice tools such as Band in a Box. Make a "mashup" or a podcast! Connect a midi controller keyboard to a computer. Ask local music ians about the technology used on their gigs!
	Create Your Own 2D Games from Scratch Middle School students -- why settle for computer games written by grownups, when you can create your own cool games that work the way you want? Programming environments such as Stagecast Creator and MIT's Scratch empower students with no prior experience to create exciting games, stories and powerful simulations after only a few hours of exposure. Deep computer science concepts such as object-orientation, rule-based programming, and programming by example are embedded in easy-to-learn, graphical frameworks. Problem-solving and debugging skills learned in the programming context can be generalized and applied in a wide variety of non-computer settings. With appropriate content and parental permission, your game could even be published on the World Wide Web!
	Create Your Own 3D Games and Stories using CMU's Alice Students who have already learned to create 2D computer games - using tools such as Stagecast Creator or MIT's Scratch - are soon eager to move on to 3D. Carnegie Mellon University [CMU] has created a free, cross-platform programming tool, called Alice, to harness the power of 3D programming in an accessible format. Boys love the ability to create 3D action games, and girls love the ability to make 3D animated movies that tell a story. The CMU folks describe it like this: "Alice is an innovative 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share on the web. Alice is a teaching tool for introductory computing. It uses 3D graphics and a drag-and-drop interface to facilitate a more engaging, less frustrating first programming experience." Deep computer science concepts such as objects, variables and control structures, as well as higher order thinking skills such as planning and debugging, are learned - at the same time that creative skills are unlocked - pursuing fun, authentic goals.
	Geocaching Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.
	Intermediate to Advanced Robotics (Beyond LEGO Mindstorms) Familiar with the basics of LEGO Mindstorms? Move up to more elaborate robots and the greater expressive power of text-based programming! Develop higher order thinking skills including planning and debugging. Learn science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the robotics context. Expand your horizons to more challenging robot assemblies such as Vex or Tetrix. Learn to work as part of team preparing for a competitive event. Build a "worker bot" to pick up objects, c arry them to a destination and drop them off; a "hybrid bot" to obey not only remote control (R/C) commands but also your autonomous program; or a "battle bot" using sensor input to outwit predators.
	Introduction to Unix-like Operating Systems Learn about Linux and other variations of Unix, including the BSD roots of the modern Macintosh operating system. Start to use the Mac Terminal or the Linux command line to accomplish tasks that are tedious or even inaccessible from the Graphical User Interface [GUI]. Understand the differences between a word processing application and a programmer-oriented text editor such as vi or Emacs. Write command line shell scripts and use keyboard macros to automate repetitive tasks. Learn about the different varieties of Linux such as Ubuntu and Red Hat, and compare the GUIs available for Linux systems such as Gnome and KDE. Explore open source apps such as Open Office.
	Tell a Digital Story with Pictures and Sound Write and produce a compelling digital story for yourself, family, friends or a wider audience. Learn to convey big ideas and strong emotions within the strict time constraints of a short clip, capturing and keeping viewer/listener attention. Plan and script your project using a "storyboard." Use iPhoto or iMovie to produce your own video. Use cinematic tools, artwork, sound effects, video effects and transitions. Take a seat in the director's chair! Curriculum inspired by Berkeley's Center for Digital Storytelling. With appropriate content and permission of guardian, your story could even be published on the Internet.
	Troubleshooting 101 / Classroom Technology Officers Hands-on activities illustrate specific procedures to help teachers and family with preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and problem resolution, on Windows and Mac computers, networks, and printers. Take apart a working computer and then put it back together again! Play the "troubleshooting game" -- "break" a working computer (under supervised conditions) -- then try to fix one broken by another team. Acquire the same skills used daily by Information Technology [IT] professionals. More importantly develop habits of mind that apply to many areas outside of the narrow technology context. Observe how troubleshooting techniques parallel the Scientific Method.