September 16, 2015 by wendy
With school back in session, there are lots of weekend and after school activities for kids to explore science, engineering, coding, and robotics. However, when taking exams and completing mandatory tasks such as poem writing, students need additional help from external experts, so it is important to give them the opportunity to use online consultation. Because of this, they will have more time to relax or study new interesting subjects. research articles and films. Here are just a few places in the Lower Mainland for you to get started.
With GearBots Makerspace, kids work in teams to design and build robots. They experiment with various robotic platforms, learn about computer programming, put together electronic circuits, and fabricate components using 3D printing. Visit their courses page for more information.
Led by enthusiastic university students, Geering Up runs after school clubs and outreach events for children and youth to participate in hands-on engineering projects, demos, design challenges, and lab tours. Visit their website to register.
Kids Code Jeunesse has partnered with Microsoft to host 2 free coding workshops. Kids ages 7 to 9 will learn how to build interactive art projects using Scratch, and kids ages 9 to 15 will learn how to create their own webpages in HTML. To register, check out their website.
Ladies Learning Code is presenting National Girls Learning Code Day on November 7th across Canada. So far in Vancouver, they’re hosting 2 workshops to teach girls how to build their own webpages using HTML and CSS. Registration is available through their website.
Don’t forget our free Hour of Code workshops at the Richmond Public Library next week! Each day features a different activity that introduces computer science in a fun and interactive way. Register through the Richmond Public Library event calendar.
With Minecampkids, children learn by playing Minecraft. While being guided through basic and modified gameplay, they’ll learn how to install mods safely, download resource packs and skins, and make their own modifications using basic programming. Check out their website for details.
Science Al!ve is now running an after school program at the Coquitlam Public Library that’s specifically designed to engage girls in science as well as weekend clubs on campus that feature lab activities and Lego programming. Check out their website to learn more.
September 2, 2015 by wendy
Our free Hour of Code series at the Richmond Public Library is less than 3 weeks away. Here’s a sneak peak of what’s happening each day.
Help Anna and Elsa from Frozen skate across the ice to draw beautiful snowflakes. By snapping together code blocks, you’ll draw colourful lines and shapes to create geometric designs. At the same time, you’ll learn important computer programming concepts like sequencing, loops, and functions.
Snap together code blocks to catch the evil pig. You’ll need to carefully lead your bird through the maze and avoid the TNT. Learn about key computer science concepts like sequencing, loops, and conditionals. As you progress through this activity, you’ll also meet characters from Plants vs. Zombies and Ice Age.
Build your own monster and then program your monster to collect mints, gum drops, and jelly beans. You’ll gain experience coding with loops and conditionals while solving puzzles in this Candy Quest.
Animate your name, make a dance party, or build a Pong Game. You’ll experiment with a variety of code blocks that add motion, create visuals effects, and play sounds while learning about computer programming.
Help Lightbot light up all the blue tiles by putting together basic commands like walk and jump. You’ll use code blocks to guide Lightbot through different levels. As you progress, you’ll gain experience with procedures and loops.
This series begins September 21, and registration has already started! Check out the Richmond Public Library Event Calendar to register.
June 22, 2015 by wendy
We’re taking a break this week from our Teacher’s Guide to Scratch to share with you some kid-friendly makerspaces that you can check out this summer!
GearBots offers one-week summer camps that introduce basic engineering and computer programming. Students learn how to program robotic devices, such as motors, switches, and light sensors in order to complete a number of engineering challenges. Visit their summer camps page for more information.
The Inspiration Lab is a free space for anyone interested in creating and sharing digital media. You can record your own audio in their sound studios; produce videos using their editing software; digitize VHS tapes, audiocassettes, photos, and slides; and access thousands of free online tutorials through lynda.com. Check out the Inspiration Lab event calendar to get started.
The Launchpad is a community space for all ages to create, experiment, and collaborate. It features a 3D printer as well as a photo scanner and printer for digital publishing. To get started with 3D printing, browse their calendar for 3D printing events or review the library’s 3D modelling and printing guide before scheduling an orientation.
At Vancouver Hack Space, members share an interest in 3D printing, art, crafting, electronics, laser cutting, machining, programming, and robotics. Kids can also become members with parent supervision. To check out their space, visit their open nights, every Tuesday from 7:30pm to 10:30pm.
Zen Maker Lab offers summer camps each week from mid June to the end of August. Their well-equipped makerspace gives kids the opportunity to learn about 3D design and printing, electronics, computer programming, and robotics. Kids also play floorball for added fun and exercise! Visit their summer camps page for more information.
May 11, 2015 by wendy
It’s hard to believe that summer is just around the corner and camps are already filling up! Here are some technology camps for kids around Metro Vancouver.
The best thing about this camp is that it’s free! Using Apple products, kids learn how to make their own movies and interactive books. Visit the Apple website to be notified when registration begins.
Byte Camp has a wide variety of 4 to 5-day programs that include animation, movie production, game design, 3-D printing, and app development. Visit the Byte Camp website to register.
UBC Engineering offers 4 to 5-day camps that bring science and engineering to life with demonstrations, hands-on activities, field trips, and design challenges. Waitlists have already begun, but sessions are still open. Register today on the Geering Up website.
Girls Learning Code is back in Vancouver with two camps designed just for girls: Webmakers and Gamemakers. I volunteered as a mentor for the Webmakers camp during spring break and they did a fantastic job creating a fun and positive learning environment. Visit the Girls Learning Code website for more details.
Minecampkids offers 2-day minicamps as well as weeklong camps where children learn economics, social studies, science, storytelling, and game design through Minecraft. Visit the Minecampkids website to register.
TechUpKids has full day camps as well as a half-day camp, in which children are introduced to various programming languages, including Scratch, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Java. Visit the TechUpKids website for more information.