Some research and development requires big and expensive equipment, resources, and sensors. It’s awesome when innovators make cool technology more affordable, accessible and available to young students and hackers. As a student at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Johnny Lee explored ways to use the remote control devices of a Nintendo Read more…
In honor of the Global Game Jam 2014, I collected a few tools and resources to help you or your students get started in learning game programming using various technologies. The Global Game Jam is a world wide hackathon and online festival for game developers and designers. Check Read more…
Looking for an easy and free way to visualize data to gain insight? Google has provided a JavaScript programming interface so that you can integrate Google Charts in your applications. To my surprise, I found it is very easy to build interactive Google Charts that use data from Google Sheets Read more…
The web isn’t a stale bag of text and pictures. In our web browser, we can use Google maps to navigate and explore the world. The browser enables us to play games, communicate, and learn using media. Google, Microsoft, and many other players have worked hard to Read more…
The “Hour of code” event to introduce young people to computer science has been very well received by the community. As time permits, I have been reviewing blog posts and retrospectives on the event. My friends from EduVue provided a nice reflection on the “Hour of code” event at Read more…
There are many benefits to teaching young people to code. As a musician starts learning a piece of music, the process can be daunting. Musicians, however, naturally start breaking the song into parts. By slowly mastering small phrases, scales, chords, and patterns, the song slowly emerges from Read more…
There are lots of ways to teach the craft of programming. I have done my share of teaching programming through a lecture or working through a tutorial. While the lecture has it’s place in learning, I enjoy learning new teaching methodologies that maximize creativity, active learning, and fun. In Read more…
Creative people enjoy sharing their craft with the community. The Atlanta Mini Maker Faire (AMMF) showcased creatives, craft makers, artists, inventors, and technologists from across Georgia and the US. The outdoor conference blended the best of an arts show and a “hands on” science fair. Sarah and I had the Read more…
As part of the Makers movement, a Maker Faire is a community gathering that celebrates creative expression in digital fabrication, arts, fine crafts, robotics, programming, and engineering. Across the nation, these events are inspiring kids and adults to be creative, curious and take on the spirit of an inventor. Frequent Read more…
Given that Sarah and I love science, we enjoy exposing our family to novel learning experiences. In the past month, we had the opportunity to enjoy the Museum of Science in Boston, MA. I greatly enjoy hands on learning. Getting to see my kids play with some of the Tangible Read more…