The 8 week course consists of one introductory session, six taught sessions and one exhibition session.
May 8th, 2012: Week One: Introduction
This session will mainly be an introductory session to me, my work and what I hope to achieve in the workshops. I also want to know what the students want to learn, the sessions are fun and informal and they can also be changed if the group raise an interest that hasn't been addressed. There are also a number of housekeeping things that need to be covered, emergency phone numbers, fire exits, CRB check, child safety, liability insurance and group blog video and photo waiver. There will be a few members of the press and a few introductory speakers at the event as it has certainly now got a lot of peoples attention.
May 15th, 2012: Week Two: Game Maker
We will be designing a platform game using Game Maker. The software is available for a PC or MAC from here http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker . You can buy the full version if you wish however the free demo is more than adequate to learn with at the moment.
May 22nd, 2012: Week Three: Processing
This will be an introduction to computer programming using the Processing language developed by M.I.T. and is available here at http://processing.org/download/ . The software is free we will be creating a simple maze game while learning computational logic.
May 29th, 2012: Week Four: Arduino
This session will be looking at the Arduino micro-controller, this will cover basic electronic as well as add to our previous sessions programming experience. You can buy an Arduino from many online outlets I recommend the Mega or Uno boards for the workshops. I have enough boards for the group to learn on however if you wish to continue at home after the session you will need to buy your own for your child. More information on these micro-controllers can be found here http://www.arduino.cc/ .
June 5th, 2012: Week Five:
(Cancelled due to Queen's Jubilee and Bank Holidays)
May 8th, 2012: Week One: Introduction
This session will mainly be an introductory session to me, my work and what I hope to achieve in the workshops. I also want to know what the students want to learn, the sessions are fun and informal and they can also be changed if the group raise an interest that hasn't been addressed. There are also a number of housekeeping things that need to be covered, emergency phone numbers, fire exits, CRB check, child safety, liability insurance and group blog video and photo waiver. There will be a few members of the press and a few introductory speakers at the event as it has certainly now got a lot of peoples attention.
May 15th, 2012: Week Two: Game Maker
We will be designing a platform game using Game Maker. The software is available for a PC or MAC from here http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker . You can buy the full version if you wish however the free demo is more than adequate to learn with at the moment.
May 22nd, 2012: Week Three: Processing
This will be an introduction to computer programming using the Processing language developed by M.I.T. and is available here at http://processing.org/download/ . The software is free we will be creating a simple maze game while learning computational logic.
May 29th, 2012: Week Four: Arduino
This session will be looking at the Arduino micro-controller, this will cover basic electronic as well as add to our previous sessions programming experience. You can buy an Arduino from many online outlets I recommend the Mega or Uno boards for the workshops. I have enough boards for the group to learn on however if you wish to continue at home after the session you will need to buy your own for your child. More information on these micro-controllers can be found here http://www.arduino.cc/ .
June 5th, 2012: Week Five:
(Cancelled due to Queen's Jubilee and Bank Holidays)
June 12th, 2012: Week Six: LEGO Mind-storms NXT
This session will be using the LEGO Mind-storms NXT model set delving deeper in to what computing and hardware can do. We will also be learning the visual programming language that comes with it to further our understanding of computational logic. You will need to purchase your own LEGO Mind-storms NXT set if you wish to continue creating with it at home. The sets can be found online through retailers, we will be using the educational set directly from LEGO.
June 19th, 2012: Week Seven: Sound and Circuit Bending
In this session we will be taking apart small musical electronic toys and adding additional electronic components to alter the sounds. I will provide screwdrivers, crocodile clips and potentiometers to help alter the sound however, you must bring your own toys to alter. Please do not spend a great deal of money on the toys that we take apart, £2 maximum from a local car boot sale is more than adequate. Also it should be noted that all toys being altered run the potential risk of being destroyed in the process.
July 10th 2012: Week Eight: Exhibition
June 19th, 2012: Week Seven: Sound and Circuit Bending
In this session we will be taking apart small musical electronic toys and adding additional electronic components to alter the sounds. I will provide screwdrivers, crocodile clips and potentiometers to help alter the sound however, you must bring your own toys to alter. Please do not spend a great deal of money on the toys that we take apart, £2 maximum from a local car boot sale is more than adequate. Also it should be noted that all toys being altered run the potential risk of being destroyed in the process.
July 10th 2012: Week Eight: Exhibition
This will be an open session; friends, family and teachers are all invited to see what it is we have been learning, building and breaking. We have an open discussion about what we have done and where we want to go with it.
Any questions just ask,
Matthew C. Applegate / Pixelh8
