Girls Create with Technology
Girls working with computers to create cool things.
Summer Camp 2016
The girls had a great time working with FinchRobots and Hummingbird Kits to build and program their own robots. Be source to check out our camp pictures to see what they created.
Python Gaming
In our last session for the 2015-2016 school year, we used the Python programming language to build simple games. Python is a great language for learning to program and is free to use for development. You can download Python here: https://www.python.org/downloads.
Lego Programming
For a Spring session, the girls used Lego Mindstorm to build various creations and made them move using the Mindstorm programming language.
In our next meeting on May 7, 2016, we will use the Python programming language to build several games. Register soon, as space is limited.
iOS Programming
In our first maker session of 2016, the girls used the Maker Lab iMacs and XCode to develop two applications for their Apple devices. They learned how to develop user interfaces and how to connect their interfaces with code.
Our next meeting will be on March 12, 2016. In this session girls will use Lego Mindstorms to build and program robotic creatures and vehicles.
Arduino Circuits
On Saturday, the girls worked with kits of Arduino parts sold by Sparkfun Electronics. The kits come with sixteen different projects, including ones that light LEDs, play sound, spin motors, and show messages on an LCD. The kits come with sensors that detect signals, such as the proximity of an object, the press of a button, the bending of a flexible material, or the playing of a sound. By writing programs in a C-like language, the girls were able to create devices that responded to these events in specific ways. These programs, which Arduino calls sketches, helped the girls see how software and hardware tie together to help perform useful functions.
The girls also worked with an Ozobot, a tiny robot that can be programmed with color. They drew a maze with colored markers and the Ozobot lit up and followed along.
The session was designed and led by Alejandro Rodriguez, a cyber security graduate student in the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences.
Our next meeting will be on January 23, 2016. In this session girls will learn the basics of iOS programming and build an application for their iPhones, iPods or iPads.
3-D Printing
On Saturday, Dr. Amanda Harsy led a maker session on 3D printing. She taught the girls girls how to design components using software called Tinkercad. The girls created their design in Tinkercad, saved them to a flash drive, and then brought them to one of CaMS 3D printers to print them. These activities taught the participants the basics of 3D design and digital manufacturing.
Our next meeting will be on December 12. In this session girls will have a chance to work with circuit boards to create projects with a breadboard that spin, buzz, light up, and more. Register now.
Maker Sessions
These Saturday classes are designed for girls in 6th through 12th grade. Each session will focus using technology to design and create a certain type of object. No experience is necessary. Girls may attend any or all of the classes but they must register for each session separately. Each session is limited to 20 girls. Check the schedule page for details.
About
Girls Create with Technology is a program created by and run by the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at Lewis University.
