2019 Middle School Technology Institute Course Descriptions Fun with Electronics Length of Course: One Week
Dates Offered:
• July 8 - July 12
• July 15 - July 19
• July 22 - July 26
In typical consumer electronics, microcontrollers are used to control many different functions. This course is designed to give students a deeper look and explores how to program and control an Arduino microcontroller. Students will receive lessons about simple electronic circuitry and will be introduced to computer programming using the C++ computer language. We will look at LED circuits, digital sensors, and various analog sensors. Ultimately students will produce a working robot using a microcontroller to navigate through a set maze.
Web Page Design Length of Course: One Week
Dates Offered:
• June 24 - June 28
• July 8 - July 12
• July 15 - July 19
Students will create a company website! They will start by creating a logo in Photoshop CS5 and then create the site using HTML coding and Dreamweaver CS6. Students will study the thought process behind the design, marketing, and creation of the business site. They will then create a short infomercial for their company in PowerPoint or Flash CS6 to incorporate into their website
Game Design Length of Course: One Week
Dates Offered:
• June 24 - June 28
• July 8 - July 12
• July 15 - July 19
• July 22 - July 26
In this fun hands-on course, students will learn the core concepts of programming while creatively applying the skills. It will be assumed that students have no prior programming experience. However, projects are designed to accommodate a variety of skill levels. Multiple experts will be on hand to assists each learner. The course can serve as an excellent precursor for high school courses such as Introduction to Computer Science and Advanced Placement Computer Science A. Come have fun in an exciting course to discover if computer science might be a career path that captivates your passion.
Cybersecurity Length of Course: One Week
Dates Offered:
• June 24 - June 28
• July 8 - July 12
• July 15 - July 19
• July 22 - July 26
Students will learn about why password security is important and what makes a good password by using the tools that hackers use to crack passwords. By making a simple web site and database they will learn about how hackers access information that they shouldn’t be able to access. Using games and simulations students will learn about the spread of computer malware and the damage it can do. Students will learn about codes and ciphers throughout history, from Caesar to state of the art RSA encryption and how these protect data from prying eyes. Students will also have the opportunity to try their hand at Capture the Flag hacking competitions like CyberPatriot or picoCTF. By working with simplified versions of computer hacks, they will learn what hackers do and how to protect themselves from Black Hat hackers.
Ethnomathematics – The Mathematics Behind Culture and Civilization Length of Course: One Week
Dates Offered:
• July 8 - July 12
• July 15 - July 19
Like any science, math changes and develops over time. Cultures change and adapt math - it evolves. Move with mathematics through history:
• Learn caveman math – yes, it is a real thing
• Do quadratic equations on clay tablets in Babylonian
• Build replicas of the Pyramid at Giza using Egyptian Math and the measuring tools of the time period
• Walk in the footsteps of the greatest minds of the Greek Philosophers as they uncover the secrets to the third dimension
• Learn why the Romans never discovered much in Mathematics and contributed little
• Schedule the Emperor’s appointments in Ancient China using calendars and Mathematics
• Learn the secret that Indian religions unlocked for Astronomy that changed our understanding of numbers forever
• Understand why at one time Baghdad was the world’s center for learning advanced science, mathematics, chemistry, and medicine Architectural Design Length of Course: One Week
Dates Offered:
• June 24 - June 28
The Architectural Design Seminar is designed to enable students to discover the principles of Computer Aided Design and Drawing and Architecture in their own pace. This class will take place in a computer lab and be supported by teacher’s on-screen demonstrations, written and pictorial instructions. The teacher will work with each student individually similar to private tutoring without boring lectures. At the end of 5 days course, students will be able to create a 3D model of medium size kitchen design using a professional Architectural Software, Revit. Students will be able to draw and digitally construct walls, a finished floor, a window, door opening, a Pantry with a door, Kitchen Sink, Base, and Wall Cabinets, Counter Tops. As time permits students will be able to put a digital camera inside the kitchen to take and print an interior view of the kitchen as color printing technology cooperates.
Engineering Design & Fabrication Length of Course: One Week
Dates Offered:
• June 24 - June 28
• July 8 - July 12
• July 15 - July 19
• July 22 - July 26
Registration Fee: $200.00
During this week-long course, students will be introduced to the exciting world of engineering and design! They will become engineers by participating in a variety of activities that will challenge their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Along the journey, they will be introduced to the engineering design process and principles to successfully accomplish each design challenge. Students will design and fabricate model bridges and CO2 cars, learn construction processes, and create their own pens. This hands-on course is designed to excite students to take engineering and technology course in the future!
Heroes of Science and Technology Length of Course: One Week
Dates Offered:
• June 24 - June 28
Registration Fee: $200.00
This is a great class for students with a variety of interests, including science and technology plus history, sports, art, theater or economics. Students will get to know the great men and women of science and technology from a variety of ethnic, geographic and historical backgrounds. The lives, challenges, accomplishments, and impacts of these historic figures will be explored through articles, videos and class discussions. Students will learn how the heroes influenced history and how history influenced the heroes. Students will evaluate the contribution of the heroes to our modern world. Students will apply their new knowledge in a variety of hands-on activities including building models, presenting skits, producing artwork, debating ideas and competing in games. By working in teams, students will learn when to take the lead in activities where they excel and to identify and support leaders in activities where they are not as strong. Photoshop Length of Course: One Week
Dates Offered:
• June 24 - June 28
• July 8 - July 12
Registration Fee: $200.00
In this course, students will learn the basics of using Adobe Photoshop, an image editing program. Students will create images by managing color, utilizing layers, applying effects, and working with different file formats. Digital projects will be created with the use of digital cameras, ultimately printing their work out at the end for display.