MaKEY MaKey: From the Basics through Banana Pianos

Educators and students in both formal and informal learning spaces are discovering the power of Makey Makey to inspire invention, learn coding and unleash creativity. Work side-by-side with our Makey Makey-certified educators to explore this versatile tool and experiment with your own applications.

This workshop is the perfect starting place for anyone seeking to build their confidence with Makey Makey or collaborate with other educators to get (re)inspired. You’ll get a real hands-on taste of the tool and some new easy-to-implement activities for the classroom.

Act 48 credits available. 

DATE:
Monday, November 7, 2022
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

COST:
$40

Give Me a Cricut: Computer Cutting Machines 101

Cricuts and similar devices are revolutionizing the DIY world for educators and crafters alike. But the technology is still unfamiliar – and even intimidating – for many.

This workshop is perfect for those with access to a cutting machine who want to try it out and those curious about what the fuss is about. Our educators will walk you through setting up the machine, navigating the app and exploring basic design tools. Learn how to turn your ideas into artifacts and take your designs further with new materials and techniques. You will leave confident and inspired.

Act 48 credits available.

TWO DATES OFFERED:
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Saturday, May 6, 2023
9:00 am – Noon

COST:
$40

Make Your Cricut Sing: Computer Cutting Machines 102

This workshop will take you beyond basic design tasks of cutting machines and guide you to achieve more thoughtful and useful end products while conserving your materials. Perfect for those familiar with their computer cutting machine who are ready to take their skills and work to an expert level.

Act 48 credits available.

TWO DATES OFFERED:
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Saturday, May 6, 2023
1:00 – 4:00 pm

COST:
$40

Dramatic Programs: Theater Blocking & Computer Coding

Coding is an essential skill for children to learn. But computer science experts will agree that it’s more a way of thinking than knowledge of a language like C++ or Java. Learning to break down complex processes into smaller parts and think algorithmically are important elements in success in coding.

Explore how theater elements such as stage direction and theater-blocking techniques can help develop skills such as specificity in language and breaking down directions into smaller components. Then apply these skills to Scratch or the block-coding platform of your choice to create an animated project/game or program a simple bot. By the end of the session, you’ll have the components you need to start coding with your class – as well as ideas for cross-curricular connections with ELA and math.

Act 48 credits available.

DATE:
Thursday, November 17
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

COST:
$75

Cardboard Creativity Day

Kids have known it for ages – a good cardboard box opens the doors to all kinds of creative design and thinking.

Spend the morning exploring multiple uses for cardboard, from designing construction and making projects to enhancing engagement in all subjects to creating low-cost tools for the classroom or home. Then dig a bit deeper into the process and learn about the critical role of cardboard in art and industry – and the importance of using it with young learners. Finally, create your own prototype and learn how to transform it into a 3-D printed artifact.

Act 48 credits available.

DATE:
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

COST:
$75

Byte-Sized AI: Artificial Intelligence for the Early Grades

Once the stuff of science fiction, artificial intelligence tools are now even used by our youngest learners. But as AI instruction for young elementary students grows, there is a need for educators who can provide it in thoughtful, engaging and play-based ways – often unplugged.

Spend the morning learning about artificial intelligence and participating in accessible and fun activities designed or inspired by Carnegie Mellon University, the International Society for Technology in Education and other experts in the field. Then plan and practice your own plugged or unplugged AI-inspired lessons.

Act 48 credits available.

DATE:
Monday, January 16, 2023
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

COST:
$75

MaKEY MaKEY: Beyond Banana Pianos

If you’ve mastered the basics of Makey Makey and wonder where to go next, take invention to an expert level with our Makey Makey-certified educators. We’ll explore more thoughtful ways to integrate human-computer interaction into the design process, dig deeper into coding and experiment with more advanced project possibilities. Collaborate with colleagues to engage in design challenges that will spark your ingenuity and creativity, and plan a project or challenge to bring joy to your learners.

Act 48 credits available.

DATE:
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
1:00  – 4:00 pm

COST:
$40

MAKE Literacy Come ALIVE

Sometimes even the most engaging lesson breaks down when you introduce reading and writing tasks. This breakdown has caused all sorts of “fixes,” from listening to books being read to watching movie versions of books. These strategies may help students stay on pace to discuss material and participate in class, but do little to help them read complex text, much less write about it.

This session will explore how to use “making” and art to help engage students in literacy, as well as strategies for annotating, note taking, writing and interpreting above-grade-level text to empower students.

Act 48 credits available.

DATE:
Friday, January 27, 2023
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

COST:
$75

Tactile Algorithms, Touchable Shapes: The Joy of Fiber Arts, Math & Computing

Fiber arts provide a great way to make abstract mathematical concepts and coding processes more concrete. In fact, the history of computing is tied to the history of fiber arts more deeply than you may realize.

In this session, you’ll discover the connections between fiber arts and essential skills and concepts in math, geometry and computer science. See how various fiber art techniques – and the joy that comes from them – are easily replicated in any learning environment. Then collaborate with other educators to create your own fiber-based lesson. You’ll leave wanting to do more!

Act 48 credits available.

DATE:
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

COST:
$75

Reimagine Your Resources: Found Sculpture & More

Got junk? Congratulations – you also got art, the makings of a fantastic hands-on lesson and many other possibilities.

Learn creative and meaningful uses of everything from old toys and crumpled paper to broken crayons, dried paint and old computer parts – or the supplies you’re looking for the perfect way to use. Brainstorm with museum educators and other participants to create your own masterpiece.  You’ll leave with a treasure trove of new supplies for your learning environment.

Act 48 credits available.

DATE:
Friday, March 17, 2023
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

COST:
$75

If you have any questions or would like information on registration grants, please contact [email protected].

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