TechPrep is a Facebook-led initiative, supported by McKinsey & Company, to promote computer science and programming as a career option and to provide resources to get started.
TechPrep is a Facebook-led initiative, supported by McKinsey & Company, to promote computer science and programming as a career option and to provide resources to get started.
This looks really great!
ViMAP is an open-source programming language and modeling environment designed for the K12 science classroom. When students use ViMAP, they can learn science by using visual programming to build models and simulations.
In close collaboration with elementary and middle school teachers, we have designed ViMAP and the lesson guides so that learning programming and science can happen hand-in-hand.
Also, unlike most other programming languages, ViMAP allows children to create their own programming commands! Students can also design their own ViMAP programming commands using text-based programming!
http://www.npr.org/2015/10/07/446385092/robot-birds-teach-kids-to-program-in-secret-coders
A comic books that teaches the basics of coding!
Here is a great new magazine.
“Kids, Code, and Computer Science magazine is a bi-monthly online and print magazine about learning to code, computer science, and how we use technology in our daily lives. The magazine includes hard to find information, for example, a list of 40+ programming languages for education, coding schools, summer tech camps, and more”
http://hackaday.com/2015/10/10/scratch-your-itch-for-3d-modeling-with-beetleblocks/
If you want to create a 3D model, you’ll probably either use a graphical CAD tool or a programming-based tool (like OpenSCAD). Although BeetleBlocks is graphical, it is more akin to OpenSCAD than a graphical CAD program. That’s because BeetleBlocks is–more or less–Scratch for 3D modeling.
Scratch is the graphical block-structured language developed by MIT for teaching kids to program. You may have seen Lego robots programmed with similar blocks as well as Android App Inventor. In this incarnation, the blocks control a virtual robot (the beetle) that can extrude a tube behind it as it moves. The beetle is reminiscent of the Logo turtle except the beetle moves in three dimensions. The system is actually closer to Snap, which is a reimplementation of Scratch that allows custom blocks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDZ5Ku6whi0
“A child starts learning to read and write at age 5. Why can’t they start learning to program then, too? I am making Isla, a first programming language for young children. The accompanying environment is called Storytime and lets a child use Isla to write text adventures.”
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/cool-tools-to-help-kids-learn-to-code
A great list of tools for learning programming and sorted by age group.
http://qz.com/447353/my-8-year-old-taught-himself-how-to-code-java-heres-how-yours-can-too/
Mostly talks about Youth Digital which looks like a very interesting site for kids to learn how to program!
http://toyland.gizmodo.com/cant-code-this-ipad-app-will-easily-let-you-make-your-1709348698
Toy Engine lets you create side-scrolling games on your iPad. Design your game world using a drag and drop level editor. Add custom behaviour using visual scripting. After you’re done, share your creations online for others to play and download.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/752554476/animate-build-code-book-with-lego-and-scratch-busy
STEM Cross-Curricular enrichment activity guide for Busy Teachers! Student driven project based fun! Complete-lessons- code programs.