Pumpkin Catapult

Pumpkin Catapult!

I love this idea! A scientific experiment that involves launching seasonal projectiles, bungee cords and some building or sanding.

http://www.weknowstuff.us.com/2016/10/pumpkin-catapult-for-kids.html

Announcing: Book A Rama Game Making Camps

Friends,

Announcing Book A Rama camps. This is a space for elementary-middle school age kids to design games. The name Book A Rama came about because the games will all grow out of the pages of a favorite book chosen by the designer.  During camp time, we will also do activities to become completely absorbed in the topics of our games-in-development: crafts, journal writing, research and cooking projects.

The first phase will be research and story boarding. During later sessions, we will use GameStar Mechanic or Kodu to put together a game prototype, or may create a board or card game, video production or comic.

Book A Rama will meet alternate Fridays, after school until early evening.  Once a month I will offer a  parent's night out/monthly movie night opportunity option. Movies will be selected based on the game topics and G or PG only.

Here are tentative dates for fall:

Sept. 12, 25
Oct. 10, 24
Nov. 7, 21
Game show: Dec. 5

I will also offer Winter Break camps. Coaching and support available electronically throughout : )

Suggested age range:  9-12 yrs

This is a pilot project, so prices will be very low. Contact me directly for more information! thanks!!

Winter Break Fun-shop Camp!

People between the ages of 5-11 are invited to join us for a fun workshop. The workshop days are January 3 (Friday) and January 6 (Monday) and people may attend one or both, whatever works best! Hours are 8-5.

We are super duper excited to get together for some end of break fun. Some of the things we will do: 

Hiking on the greenbelt
Cooking
Writing and drama
Games
Making things

Please contact me with questions or to reserve a space! I'd love to hear more about which of the activities sound most interesting when you get in touch.And also if you need to tweak the hours.


About the workshop and leaders: 

From Laura: I am a workshop leader, play producer, mama, and cooking aficionado.  The camp will take place in my yard and home near Zilker Park/S. Lamar area, and will be co-led by my 13 yr old assistant. 

Cost: 
$35/full day
$20/half day
Limited to 10 kids

Getting girls excited about coding

Technology is not necessarily a subject for students but instead it is part of every minute.  Yet,  interest in coding and tech careers can be elusive.

Research based ideas:
Media production: This link is to a paper by Rich, Perry and Guzdial describing an undergraduate course that drew women into the computer science field.
Social issue/tech for good: Elaine: it says Not why but what? Needs to have a meaning. Girls make a website for how to boost enrollment for girls in STEM program. 'Let's make a page- we can be one of the stations that we can show what we do'
Tinkering and making (see dollhouse and high tech textile ideas below)

What are some strategies that you have found effective?
Social issue games: The above case study (link) discusses two 6th grade girls and their experience making a game about an issue important to them, teen pregnancy and drop out prevention. 
 
Girl Scouts of USA research and personal experience have shown me that engagement in a cause that has personal resonance can be highly motivating. Many girls cite an interest in changing the world as a factor in choosing a career path.

Black Girls Code: go to Past Events on site, for examples of the following

Media production
Web page production
iPod Film making

Other ideas:
Robotics programs

Contests, such as the National STEM Video Game Challenge

Mentoring programs

High Tech Textile Design

ADA fruit 

Roominate (DIY dollhouse)

Suggestions about grant funding:
Allstate
Local electric companies
Caterpiller
Region 10

Other ideas:
Saint Ignatius: Uses students as the Tech crew, architect

technovation- NSF funded- girls get together to create android apps with MIT app inventor
Girl Startup- in San Antonio

Hole in the Wall school

Tools:
A very thorough list of game making environments: Digital Game Making Environments

Dot Alice

App building tools:
Touchapp Creator
GamePress

Blockly Maze (demo)

Lessons from playtesting slides from Captivate Conference

Here is a link to my slides from Kids are different: Playtesting talk yesterday. Click here for a google doc version. Thanks to all who attended!

First contact: Playtesting with preschoolers

Excellent post from Jason Krogh on playtesting with young children from Joan Ganz Cooney center: First Contact: Playtesting with preschoolers.

Sesame Street pitch reel

Here is the summary of the Sesame Street pitch reel. It features Dr. Gerald Lesser and Joan Ganz Cooney, and is brought to you by the word 'groovy'.