Schools Programme 2015/16. preparing children for the future

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preparing children for the future

Schools Programme 2015/16

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ComputerXplorers is a company with over 25 years experience in bringing computer technology education into schools. We offer workshops in everything from programming and animation to Lego robotics and crime scene investigation. We are specialists in technology education for primary school age children. It’s what we do.

About Us

What else do we do? In addition to school workshops, ComputerXplorers also run after school clubs, nursery classes and summer camps. Our creative curriculum engages children in hands-on technology activities that promote problem-solving and teamwork and encourage e-confidence in children in an age when computers and technology are essential life skills.

Technology in the classroom, ComputerXplorers’ workshops help you to meet Curriculum for Excellence standards, not only in ICT but also in science, engineering, maths, language and literacy. We do this by providing structured lessons

using leading educational technology programs to develop skills, knowledge and critical thinking. We Provide Technology instructors On site workshops Technology peripherals Our Goal

To help children discover their own technology and computer skills through exploration

The courses offered to pupils are tailored to their needs and interests and delivered by a highly professional team.

... Carmyle Primary HT

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Our Workshops

We offer Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Workshops across a broad range of technologies and across all year groups in a format to suit you from Primary 1 onwards. Our workshops are versatile and can be adapted to complement a wide variety of curriculum areas. For example our TV Production workshop could be used to support a school’s work on World War 2 or how about designing a website about the Vikings and perhaps a stop motion animation of the lunar landing with Neil Armstrong descending a ladder to become the

first

human to step onto the surface of the Moon!

Workshops can be combined and run as a one day workshop or as individual workshops of 1.5 hours for each year group*

A maximum of 33 pupils in each workshop.

Our workshops are flexible and can also incorporate full/half day sessions or weekly sessions throughout the year.

We can also work together on transition days, theme days or as part of education initiatives such as Science and Engineering Week

*Please note some workshops can only be run as a full day workshop and typically a max class size of 33 applies. Please contact us for further information.

Very successful and a huge hit with my P6 pupils. The feedback was so

positive we arranged further workshops.

Dalry Primary

Full day

Half day

Mini sessions (1.5hrs)

Block bookings

STEM packages

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The majority of our workshops are designed to be flexible with respect to the core subject matter. Common topics such as Space, the Romans, World War 2, Renewable Energy engineering amongst many others, can be covered by innovative use of technologies to enhance learning in creative ways.

Pupils produce, direct and star in news reports based on historic events e.g. WW2 Create a stop motion animation of the conquest of the Roman Empire or Egyptians Use facial animation and have Queen Victoria tell the story of her time on the throne.

Integration of technology and curriculum topics

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Video Game Design—An Introduction

Students as young as 5 years old can create their own games in this exciting workshop! Choose your storyline with fairy princesses, dragons, or wild wacky aliens. This workshop will introduce young learners to computer game design as it allows them to be creative and successful right from the start without having to deal with computer code. It means they can focus on the purpose of the game or activity they are creating.

Students will design and build their own websites in this creative, high tech programme. Create the perfect look and feel for the chosen topic; research and write the content to communicate; pack it full of the latest multi-media features. Creativity and technology make for a powerful combination in this flexible workshop as the focus of the website can be adapted as a way of reinforcing key curriculum topics.

Website Design

P1- P3

Curriculum for Excellence

Technologies: Computing

science context for developing technological skills and knowledge

Programming with Scratch

Students will learn how to program their own Video Game using Scratch—the innovative programming language created for young gamers by MIT.

Students learn to code and program and to select, create and manage multiple forms of media, including text, images, animation and audio recordings.

P4- P7

Programming with Kodu

Use an Xbox controller to create your own video game. Programs will be created on the PC allowing rapid design iteration. Students will use a graphical programming environment to design and build games. They will then create a range of terrains, worlds and characters, controlling the characters’ movement, sound and vision using an intuitive icon-based programming language.

P4- P7

Codi ng an d Pr ogr amm in g

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Technologies: ICT to enhance learning (TCH 1-04a/TCH 2-04a/TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b)

Cartoon Creation

Students will create their own world of monsters and aliens in this great new animation workshop. Children will quickly get to grips with this simple to use, new take on animation. Create their own unique characters, use speech bubbles or record an audio track to tell their story.

Children can use images from the school or even themes/ topics and incorporate them into the animation.

Students will produce their very own stop motion animation from story boarding, making the characters and sets to editing and post production! This course will spark their imagination and give them tools to bring their ideas to life This versatile workshop can be adapted to complement a wide variety of curriculum areas. Students improve their literacy, communication and technology skills while mastering or reinforcing content in any subject area.

Stop Motion Animation

P1- P4

P4- P7

Words only account for 7% of our communication – see what the children can do with the other 93% in this fun-filled workshop!

Using state of the art software students will learn key skills in facial animation to turn any image into the most lifelike anima-tion. Pictures of historical characters, animals (or even inani-mate objects!) are brought to life to tell their version of events. While bringing their characters to life they give new life to key areas of the curriculum.

Facial Animation

Use your creativity to explain the world! Explore the depths of the ocean in 3D, the far reaches of outer space, the Egyptian pyramids or even a fantasy world! Your imagination is your only limitation! Tell stories, create images, use animation and add sound effects.

By the end of this course students will have unleashed their creative side and created their very own animation!

3D Multimedia madness with CGI

P4- P7

Technologies: ICT to enhance learning (TCH 1-04a/TCH 2-04a/ TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b) P4- P7 P1- P3 An imat ion a nd D esi gn

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Technologies: Technological developments in society, Science: Energy sources and sustainability/Earth’s Materials

Renewable Energy Engineering

This workshop is the perfect way to get children hands-on with a variety of sustainable, renewable and alternative forms of energy. Combining junior engineering skills with Lego to allow children to understand the renewable energy solutions. Building wind turbines and Solar cell vehicles will reinforce the concept of renewable energy.

Our acclaimed ComputerXplorers Renewable Energy Work-shop is the perfect way to energise your classroom and spark the imagination in this key area.

P4- P7

Crime Scene Investigation: Use your logic, senses and forensic science to solve crimes. Learn how to work the field scene and laboratory end of CSI using digital microscopes. From fingerprinting and hair analysis to recreating facial photo fits, using the latest software. No blood, no gore, but plenty of fun. Will you be able to solve the crime?

A great introduction to forensic science and the perfect complement to the science curriculum

Forensic Science C.S.I.

Technologies: Craft, design, engineering and graphics contexts for developing skills and knowledge

P1- P3 P4- P7

Children will learn about electricity, conductors and insula-tors while fabricating unique computer controllers from seemingly unlikely materials. In this exciting workshop chil-dren will create computer controllers from everyday items. Any material that will conduct from Play-Doh to pen-cils, from grapes to grownups! An incredible introduction to circuits and controls

Makey Makey Invention

P4- P7

Technologies: Craft, design, engineering and graphics contexts for developing skills and knowledge (Sciences: Electricity) Using the latest Lego robotics technology to build and

pro-gram amazing creatures that can move using motors, gears and wheels. Students will learn how to program sensors to make the robot react to its surroundings. Program robot birds to chirp, crocodiles to snap and plane engines to rev! This workshop is great fun and ideal for nurturing and en-hancing STEM skills

Lego Robotics

Technologies: Craft, design, engineering and graphics contexts for developing skills and knowledge P1- P3 P4- P7 Sc ie nc e an d En gi ne er in g

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Technologies: ICT to enhance learning

MinecraftEdu

SurvivalCraft - our new game-based learning programme— uses MinecraftEdu ( a version of Minecraft) as both a game and a collaborative creative tool. There are three main elements: Mining, Crafting and Creation. Players are encouraged to work in small teams and as a larger group to complete a series of tasks. Each task creates curriculum learning opportunities such as Mathematics, Literacy, History and Geography throughout. The main aim of the course is to combine fun with educational development.

Pupils become the newsreader, reporter or producer of a news, weather, sports or cookery programme. A unique op-portunity for students to learn how to produce their own tele-vision programme on any topic including devising the format, writing the scripts, recording video clips with the help of an auto-cue and special effects. Students will also learn post production techniques such as video material, music, titles and credits. From The Romans to World War Two – talk to us further about how to adapt this workshop to your own topics & themes.

TV Production

P2- P3

P4- P7 P4- P7

Technologies: ICT to enhance

learning (TCH 1-04a/TCH 2-04a/TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b)

Transform yourself into an environmental superhero and help solve one of the earth’s biggest problems from water short-ages to energy crises.

Using innovative comic book software, digital art and your own photographs to illustrate your very own comic book. Be creative; be inspired; be a superhero!

This workshop can be adapted to many key areas of the cur-riculum.

Comic Book Heroes

learning (TCH 1-04a/TCH 2-04a/TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b)

P4- P7

Whether it’s the first step in the School of Rock or a symphony for the school play anything’s possible with music technology. Pupils use virtual instruments and sound effects to create their personal sound track. Drag and drop music loops to combine with drum/bass or hip-hop; sequence, explore rhythms and tempo; get to grips with riffs and hooks to make the best chorus and bridge. An excellent combination of creativity and technology to encourage personal expression.

Music Technology

P4- P7

Technologies: Craft, design, engineering and graphics contexts for developing skills and knowledge (Sciences: Electricity)

Cr ea tive M ed ia

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In this exciting new workshop students will develop their knowledge of Augmented Reality bringing the static world to life and creating content-rich interactive experiences. Talking newspapers, holding a NASA spacecraft in their hand and bringing a lip syncing avatar to life will become their new augmented reality. Suitable for iPad and android devices.

Augmented Reality

P4- P7

In this practical workshop students will gain a better under-standing of the risks they face online and how they can man-age these risks responsibly.

Topics covered include

Responsible use of the internet and mobile technology Using email safely

Social Media - chatting with care

E-Safety and Social Media

P1- P7

Dependant on workshop selected

Students will learn how to create and design their own app which can then be downloaded onto any mobile device. Whether it’s for an iPhone or android they will learn the essentials of designing and programming a mobile app. We will be using an intuitive, easy to use platform that’s perfect for first-timers and loaded with features for the more adventurous.

App Developer

P5- P7

learning (TCH 1-04a/TCH 2-04a/TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b) During this workshop students will become virtual

archaeologists, create their own 3D games and transform a three-dimensional neighbourhood before placing it into Google Earth! We will use SketchUp 3D modelling and the student’s imagination to explore a range of concepts and ideas using simulations, culture and regeneration.

Learn all about 3D computer aided design, perspective, maths skills, creativity and problem solving in this unique workshop!

3D Modelling & C.A.D.

P4- P7

Technologies: Craft, design, engineering and graphics contexts for developing skills and knowledge Te ch nol ogy an d oth er w or ksh ops

New for 2015

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Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

preparing children for the future ComputerXplorers provides in-school CPD sessions for teachers at a

time and date that suits you.

Bespoke CPD quotes provided on request.

This course will overview effective ways of using interactive whiteboards in the classroom. The focus of use will be on ways of using IWBs to promote active learning and to allow pupils to access information in different ways. This session will include practical exercises and resources to extend learning.

Effective use of interactive whiteboard technologies

Interactive presentation of activities and ideas for effective iPad use in the classroom. Includes an overview of an array of iPad apps which bring unique and engaging learning experiences to the pupils. Links to all the apps used for this session will also be circulated.

iPads in the classroom

We provide courses that enable the participants to create general presentations, word documents and excel spreadsheets as well as better teaching tools for their classrooms. The course content includes hands-on practical applications for the participants.

Office Docs: PowerPoint, Word and Excel

We will explore programming software such as Scratch to teach basic programming techniques as well as exploring how these techniques can be applied in the classroom. An Introduction to Programming

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Aligned to the Curriculum for Excellence

Age-appropriate software & exciting peripherals

One stop shop programme ... we come to you

Hands -on and interactive experience

Workshops led by specially trained instructors

Programmes which inspire, engage and are FUN

ComputerXplorers SE Scotland 57 West Holmes Garden Musselburgh, EH21 6QJ Tel: 0131 6530580 Email: [email protected] www.sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk

Why should

you book?

Learning through technology has been proven to engage pupils and stimulate learning in education. Our workshops are designed to bring life to Science and Technology within the classroom. It is crucial that we prepare our children for a technology led future.

... Steve Jobs, The Lost Interview I think everyone in this country should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think

Schools Programme 2015/16. preparing children for the future

preparing children for the future