Full STEAM Ahead: 9 Great Courses for 2017
Full STEAM Ahead is MV GATE’s dynamic program of after-school enrichment courses, providing a computer science and STEAM learning path, for any child, at any participating school, in any grade. Classes are offered based on space available at participating schools, with new class choices each term.
* STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.
Fun With Computers
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Basic skills and empowering adventures—for our youngest digital explorers.
Fun With Computers starts kids on the path of creating, not just consuming, digital content – even for kids who may still be learning reading, mouse and keyboard skills. It’s a delightful and enriching first set of computer-science experiences: simple coding puzzles from Code.org; fun projects like the dancing monster from Google’s Made With Code, and exploring on Google Maps and Google Earth; off-line programming games and activities like Program The Teacher. Come back as often as you like, there's plenty of ongoing material to keep little learners challenged for a long time to come. It’s great fun, and a sweet, gentle introduction to the rich and rewarding world of computer science.
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CodeGirls
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Fun coding projects in a girl-friendly environment
Created and led by women, CodeGirls focuses on programming projects that create beautiful animations, tell stories about friends and family, and employ art & images & audio in team-oriented collaborative projects. This class provides a comfortable environment for girls to explore creativity and self-expression using MIT Scratch. Girls will learn key concepts in programming while they create personal, content-rich projects they will love. Make new friends, too!
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CodeKids
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A first programming logic class for kids
Builds upon the celebrated Hour of Code experience, extending that tested, world-class curriculum of fun self-paced blocks of instruction into a full class. Kids work in pair programming teams to make learning technology a warmly supported group experience. Our Instructors guide the group, answer questions, designate teams, facilitate regular discussion groups, lead special projects, and celebrate and document kids' milestones and achievements. A good foundation in logic for a lifetime of computer literacy.
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Program in Scratch!
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Scratch Programming for Beginners and Experienced Scratchers!
MIT's Scratch programming language is a global phenomenon, and the ideal programming language for kids, who program real games, animations, and apps from the very first class. Includes both an introductory track tailored to new Scratch users, plus a more advanced track and coaching for experienced/returning Scratchers -- including special skills for game programming! Suitable for any 3rd-5th grader, or for 2nd graders with strong tech aptitude. New Scratchers will learn the basics of MIT's Scratch programming language; work in pair programming teams to develop their own games and apps; enjoy the creations of other kids around the world; and build their own portfolio of Scratch projects. Our Instructors guide the group, support advanced users, designate teams, facilitate regular discussions, and celebrate & document kids' milestones & achievements. Come back as often as you like, Scratch is a never-ending creative learning project.
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Game Programming
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Advanced Scratch programming to build rich-featured games
For game-loving kids ready to take their Scratch experience to the next level! Kids will learn a series of challenging core game functions, then decide how they want to program these functions into games they envision, code, and publish. From platformers to classic arcade games, from shooters to quiz games, and much more. Kids will learn how to code functions like gravity, advanced movement, sophisticated scoring, multi-level game design, multi-player games, and more. Kids’ games are published on the class website, plus kids present their creations in show-and-tells during class, and in a Game Showcase competition at the end of the term. A great advanced Scratch programming experience!
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Adventures in Engineering
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A first exploration of electrical and mechanical engineering
A fun and proven introduction to electrical and mechanical engineering! A series of challenges that introduce key concepts in mechanical & electrical engineering via team and individual projects, show & tells and friendly competitions. Integrates the acclaimed Snap Circuits and Lego Education Technics project-based curricula, with special added projects, including bridge-building and the Marshmallow Challenge. A best-of-breed intro to how things work that’s as educational as it is fun.
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Math Team
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Deepen your thinking
Math Team takes math-oriented kids to the next level, celebrating and ambitiously building upon their abilities. We’ll share weekly challenges and collaboration, gain insights into the world of math and logic and statistics, and enjoy the friendly competition of the global Math Olympiad program. An important and valuable option for math-minded kids in upper elementary grades.
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Minecraft & Beyond
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Turn your child’s love of Minecraft into a passion for programming
Start with one of the most popular games on earth. Then empower kids to code their own modifications and new features right into the game! The result is electric: kids dive deeply into programming to bring their ideas to life, in the process learning Block.ly and, when they’re ready, JavaScript. They’ll even learn to move 3D designs from AutoDesk CAD software directly into their Minecraft worlds, and to 3D-print their Minecraft design creations! Class includes self-guided and self-paced logic and programming challenges that unlock more and more sophisticated mods and features of their favorite game, plus show-and-tells and ongoing special projects.
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KhanClub: HTML/CSS
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Learn to build webpages and websites
As kids learn programming, many want to progress to developing web pages and websites, using state-of-the-art practices and languages. In this class kids learn HTML and CSS, the industry-standard languages at the core of most websites. KhanClub gives kids a unique experience, combining Khan Academy’s superb online self-paced curriculum with our rich instructional support and social context. We track and celebrate each student’s progress, and review and preview key skills and concepts -- all reinforced in discussions and project show & tells. Learning these foundation languages gives a deeper understanding of what we see on our screens every day, and opens the door to website programming and understanding.
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