iD News and Blog
We are passionate about introducing children of all ages to the wonders and benefits of the sciences and technology, and offer camps ranging from film to computers and robotics. Summer computer camps, film camps, robotics camps, cyber camps — we can help you find the summer camp that's right for your child.
January 10th, 2012 by: Ryan
There really isn’t any other way to say it. The computer, a machine that offers a vast number of creative tools, together with a youthful brain, full of everlasting imagination and the need for a creative outlet. The two strike the perfect complement to each other; a match that rivals that of sweet, sticky peanut butter eaten with the translucent fruit spread goodness that is jelly.
Thus, Kids and Computers = Peanut Butter and Jelly.
Sure, you can have one without the other…a little peanut butter and banana, some jelly on toast. Still good on their own or with others, but a winning combination together. Likewise, kids and teens can find quality ways to spend their days, away from technology or the computer, but there are plenty of indicators that say time is more valuable when spent learning new skills that will prepare their young minds for secure, lucrative STEM jobs.
Either way, whether it’s peanut butter and jelly, or kids wanting to dive deeper into tech hobbies and interests, my advice is to stay hungry. Seek answers to questions – no matter how big or small – and push yourself to be better while still having fun. You like playing on your phone? Learn to create iphone apps. Intrigued by your Xbox? Make your own game. Whatever it is, just know that there is always opportunity to explore.
January 10th, 2012 | Tags: create iphone apps, Kids and Computers, kids summer camps, make video games, STEM education
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers
January 3rd, 2012 by: Pete-V
Ryan’s post about the future got me thinking – It is amazingly awesome to be alive in 2012.
Our vision of the future in the late 20th Century was all about advances in the same way, only bigger or better. Let’s examine Back to the Future 2 (I found this convenient list to help me out).
Adjustable Bat – Yeah. Really. Biff used this to attack Marty. I find the concept fairly useless and sinister. What would you need that object for? Aren’t bats made exclusively for sports?
Adjustable / Drying Jacket (with a robotic voice) – Hm. My jacket gets wet during rainstorms, so I suppose that function could be useful. Why not just an improved umbrella, though? The auto-fit function seems a little ridiculous, like something that would be endlessly advertised on television along with that device for cooking pasta.
Automatic Dog Walker – Perhaps this is useful. Three into the list and I’m already annoyed with what they saw as innovation!
The problem with the futuristic inventions in Back to the Future 2 was that they are, for the most part, unnecessary. There’s no purpose for a bat that adjusts or a jacket that changes sizes – they seem like items from a cheap novelty catalog. Powerlacing shoes seem lazy to me, and how many people will find the idea of randomly being swallowed by a cheesy 3D shark in public appealing?
There was a line that seemed on the mark – when the kids watch Marty master an old video game, the response is something along the lines of, “You have to use your hands? That’s a baby’s toy!” Maybe they are channeling a future that integrates more of the body as a controller, from the Wii waggle to the Kinect jive. Or perhaps the writers were commenting on the fact that children from the future are so lazy they rarely use their hands after childhood. Marty Junior, who has to watch six shows at once, certainly seems to enforce this possibility.
The future that Back to the Future 2 missed was not the fact that we all have phones in our pocket, although that’s a quite amazing feat. It’s not the fact that we’re connected to practically all of the information known to man at any moment of the day. It’s that the future is participatory.
We’re not users anymore – we’re players, participants, and performers. If you see it, you can make it, remix it, or mash it up. The tools for making imagination real are available to everyone. And that’s RIGHT NOW – just imagine what 2015 will be like!
Back to the Future 2 showed a future of flying things and funny looking clothing – but people acted the same as they would in 1985. Our world is different now and it’s awesome. Everyone has the ability to be a contributor which is much more interesting than exclusively being a consumer. And I’m not even going to list off the iD summer computer classes that this relates to, because basically, it’s all of them. Just click somewhere above and you’ll find a way to make thoughts into something tangible through technology and share those thoughts with the world. We might not have hoverboards (which are totally cool, but ultimately useless), but we do have a distributed outlet for artistic creation of all kinds, which is much better.
January 3rd, 2012 | Tags: adjustable bat, art, back to the future 2, creation, flying cars, hoverboards, marty mcfly, participators, Summer Computer Classes, the future
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers
January 1st, 2012 by: Ryan
First and foremost, Happy New Year! It feels like I just started getting the hang of correctly dating documents with “2011” and I am sure it will be months before writing “2012” feels natural.
So here we are, in 2012. As a kid, year 20XX always sounded so futuristic. I remember watching Marty McFly travel to – wait for it – the year 2015 in Back to the Future Part II and thinking what an amazingly advanced landscape the forthcoming world had in store for me. And while there are a lot of things the movie promised that have not yet come to fruition, it certainly got one thing right…there will be technological advancements in some way, shape, or form.
I mean, that is how most of us classify different generations, right? Child to parent: “Wait, you didn’t have computers when you were in school? No cell phones?” or “What is a floppy disk?” It’s odd to think that items like CDs or DVDs will someday be terms of technology past.
With all of this, the point is that technology is forever evolving; it will always be present and those who are educated on today’s tools will be better suited to master tomorrow’s creations and inventions.
More importantly, while technology becomes bigger and better, the need for people to fill tech roles and careers will be just as prevalent. Thus, understanding how to create your own iPhone app is not only something fun and cool to explore, but is a skill of tremendous value. The same can be said for learning more about any other type of tech product or component.
While it seems like we have hit our limit with the technology we are using today – tablets, smartphones, computers, etc. – “tomorrow” will be made up of so much more. Those who integrate “learning” in addition to playing or using can expect to stay ahead of the curve.
January 1st, 2012 | Tags: Create Your Own iPhone App, iPhone Summer Camps, kids and technology, Make Your Own Apps
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers
December 16th, 2011 by: Josh
Greetings and Happy Holidays from the iD Tech 365 Secret Headquarters!
internalDrive’s newest online program, iD Tech 365 has been up and running for only a month and a half and there is already so much to report!
The Gift of Knowledge!
Students are having a ball learning from our ever growing collection of tutorials! They are learning how to make their own video games with GameSalad, a game design software for all levels of skill that is used to make games for the iPad, iPhone and more! By popular demand, we’ve just released some Java tutorials teaching students the basics of how to program in Java – an excellent start for students who are gearing up for our summer programs! But that’s not all, we have nearly a dozen different technologies covered on iD Tech 365 for nearly every sort of interest, including UDK game design, making iPhone/iPad apps with iOS, special FX with After Effects and more!
Win a Free Week at Camp!
That’s right! Last month, user Slartibrtfst won a $100 dollar vouch to be put towards our camps or academy programs, which he’ll be using to treat himself to some time at the iD Programming Academy. How did he win this? Simply by playing the game Nyan Cat Fly at the iD Tech 365 Arcade! Every month a game from the arcade is featured and the winner(s) are eligible for a prize. It’s not too late to win a free week of camp for yourself, this month the user with the highest score on Tower of Greed will also win a $1000 dollar voucher! You can do it!
Spreading Good Will and Holiday Cheer on the Forums!
A wonderful community of bright, well-spoken and friendly students is forming on the iD Tech 365 Forums and it is a beautiful thing to watch! Every day I’m delighted by what I’m seeing on the forums, students helping teach each other, sharing ideas for projects and generally spreading the kind of good will that this holiday season is all about! You’ll want your student to be a part of this!
Come in a join the fun! Sign up today!
December 16th, 2011 | Tags: iD Tech 365
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers
December 15th, 2011 by: Ryan
by John Mordecai
NEW HAVEN — Techie high school students will have a chance to delve into creating their own apps and learn programming skills when the iD Programming Academy camp comes to Yale University next summer.
Open to teenagers ages 13 to 18, the two-week overnight camp provides instruction on computer programming and application development. The camp has taken place on various university campuses across the country and comes to Yale for the first time in 2012.
“Our goal is to take a student’s hobby or passion and show them how they can do much more with it, and how they can even turn it into a career,” says Karen Thurm Safran, iD Tech Camps’ vice president of marketing and business development.
Click here to read the full article.
December 15th, 2011 | Tags: new haven summer camps, teen programming camp, Yale summer camps
Posted in: iD In The News, Sacred Heart University, Wesleyan University
December 15th, 2011 by: Donna
In my last post I answered the no-longer-elusive question: “What do you guys do when camps aren’t in session?” But have you ever wondered about the individuals behind the big green iD logo? What we’re like and what really makes us tick?
If you visited our offices and saw the festive decorations, the goals posted on our walls, and the many photos of family and friends (and pets), you would see that we probably have quite a bit in common with you. We care about what we do. We care about our families. We all have commitments and schedules to juggle – all of which can seem magnified this time of year.
And, like many of us, perhaps you haven’t had a chance to do any holiday shopping yet. But that’s okay! (The stores are open later during December for that very reason.) Maybe the list below will give you some ideas. Maybe you’ll get a bit nostalgic. Maybe you’ll glean a fun thought or even a chuckle or two. Here’s a look at what some of us are hoping for this year.
Jen, regional manager: “I would really like a snow tube and snow shoes. I know it sounds silly but the thrill of sliding down a snow hill is just as exhilarating now as it was when I was a kid.” Alisa, director, strategic programs: “I’d like to hear that the U.S. economy has gained some more strength. Good news going into the new year.” Sarah, payroll assistant: “All I want for Christmas is a Kindle Fire!” Alexa, co-founder & COO: “A day that is completely stress-free…full of laughter, giggles, beautiful memories to look back on and cherish for a lifetime.” Charlie, regional manager: “I want a legendary Daedric Sword in Skyrim 
” Allison, office coordinator: “I would love a Le Creuset French Oven so I can make some delicious soups and stews.” Pete, president & CEO: “I want to plant 25,000 trees.” [See One Camper One Tree] Robby, regional manager: “#1: New Golf Clubs” Marta, creative lead: “Garden Planters. Our apartment has this nice, large balcony and I think it would be so cool to plant some herbs, veggies and flowers and go back to my MN farming roots. (Whether I’ll be able to keep the plants alive is another thing though.)” Crystal, app dev lead: “A trip to Spain!” Nina, strategic programs coordinator: “I gotta dream big here…A good camera.” Julie, senior camp operations manager: “With all of this travelling I’ve been doing lately, I’m dying for the new Kindle Fire!” Jamon, program advisor: “Entourage Season 3!” Nova, administrative services representative: “The top of my wish list? SLEEP! All I want is some rest & relaxation.”
Hungry for more holiday tidbits? Check out some photos from our Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest. From decorator crab to pajama-fab – our outfits encompassed a very wide range (off the charts, really) of “holiday-chic” style.
- This is what happens when decoupage goes 3D.
- See? Told you we love our pets.
- Taking One Camper One Tree to the next level.
- And the ugliest sweater was worn by…Ryan! Umm…congrats?
- Vogue called. They want their December issue outfits back.
Happy holidays! Thank you for an amazing year. We have some great things in store for 2012…
December 15th, 2011 | Tags: Bay Area summer camps, christmas presents, corporate employment at iD tech, holiday camp, holiday wish lists
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers, iD Tech Camps
December 13th, 2011 by: Audrey
Getting ready for college? Thinking about making campus visits? You’re not alone – according to an Art & Science Group poll, 65% of students say visits to schools are the most influential source of information in deciding where to apply and where to attend.
With the College Board recommending that students apply to 5-8 colleges, fitting in a visit to each campus can be a challenge. That’s why iD Tech Camps’ expansion of university locations is good news – with 13 new summer programs this year, bringing the total number of iD programs to a grand total of 78, students have more options than ever for sampling campus life.
“A college campus is the perfect place for younger students to supplement their education,” explains iD Tech Camps CEO Pete Ingram-Cauchi. “It’s a natural choice for us to host our programs on campus.”
New prestigious schools joining the list of universities that host iD programs include Yale University, Duke University, Amherst College, and the University of Texas at Austin. iD also has new summer camps in Nevada, with UNLV hosting programs, and new summer camps in New Mexico, with the University of New Mexico acting as host.
Counting the new additions, iD now has a presence at 7 of the top 10 national universities ranked by the U.S. News & World Report. It makes an ideal way for today’s busy students to sample college life at prestigious universities, while at the same time learning the skills necessary to get into those top schools.
Note: Many of our locations have recently become available for registration – check out dates and courses at these new additions: UT Austin, Princeton, Merrimack College, Sacred Heart University, and TCU. View all locations.
December 13th, 2011 | Tags: college visits, Duke summer camps, Nevada summer camps, New Mexico summer camps, summer camps in Nevada, summer camps in New Mexico, ut austin summer camps, Yale summer camps
Posted in: iD Tech Camps, Locations
December 8th, 2011 by: Ryan
Another informative post from one of our iD Gaming Academy Regional Managers Latonia on the benefits of 3D modeling classes. Enjoy!
—
The world of 3D is wide-ranging. From the TV commercials we watch, to the video games we play, or even the sneakers we wear…3D visualization has played a part in their creation. If you’re thinking about a career in the 3D industries or simply getting experience with the software, you can’t go wrong. This is even more so for those of you who thinking about becoming designers and working on the conceptual side.
Representing and understanding design concepts in a 3D format is not the easiest (nor the most obvious) thing to do, but it is a lot of fun. As designers, in addition to creating, you will need to present your iDeas…whether they are about a video game, a car, a house, or a spoon. And the sooner you’re informed about your own creations, the more likely those creations will be successful end products.
As a college professor and iD Gaming Academy Maya course instructor, I have found that exposure and practice does in fact make better. You don’t have to possess prior experience to take a 3D modeling class, and you’d be surprised at how much exposure you’ve already had before you even get to camp. Like I said, the world of 3D is wide and diverse – it’s practically everywhere.
There are several ways to gain a deeper experience with the software, and taking a course in 3D modeling and animation is one of them. As a young architect, I trained myself – learning how to build 3D computer models by trial and error and by using books. While this was fun for me, it resulted in more “error” than anything else. I was learning both 3d Studio Max and Maya but this self-training method only got me so far (I had so many questions!). It wasn’t until I took a class where someone sat with me, showing me the correct and more efficient process of building 3D models was I of any real use professionally. Suddenly, I was able to build and animate 3D models faster – plus they looked a lot better! More importantly, I began to realize I really liked designing in 3D and seeing the endless possibilities of using software like Maya.
There are so many 3D modeling and animation software packages out there from which to choose, such as Autodesk’s Maya, or ZBrush, or Accurender. At iD Tech Camps and Teen Academies, we offer 3D modeling and Animation classes using Maya. Our classes teach software that is used by professionals and that can be used across many 3D industries – from gaming to film to industrial design. There it is again, that exposure value.
I’ve always said the best way to find a career you’re passionate about – or a hobby you love is – to constantly find experiences that are related to the things you love to do (or play). If it happens to be video games, or architecture, or watching those cool special effects you see in movies, try taking a 3D modeling and animation class during the summer for some inspiration.
Take care and see you this coming summer!
December 8th, 2011 | Tags: 2011 Summer Camps, 3D Animation Courses, 3D Modeling Classes, Learn How to Use Maya, Maya Camp
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers
December 7th, 2011 by: Pete-V
My father is an incredible photographer. I remember being very young, smelling the chemicals from his improvised dark room – a staple of just about every weekend in my house. He has an unimpressive Pentax (maybe Nikon) SLR from the 60′s that he used to capture some vibrant and sobering imagery from the Vietnam War, particularly of children playing or talking to soldiers.
The Sunrise in New Orleans, by Pete Vigeant
I grew up with this level as the standard of photography and I can’t remember not having a camera of my own. Unfortunately, for years I was never able to get the same level of detail or focus in my photos. I was given an endless array of basic film cameras that (at first) had no focus at all or handled everything automatically. And these were film cameras, meaning that every photo cost money and was taken with a large dose of mystery. I remember sitting underneath a race track trying to get a single photo of a Hot Wheels car flying through the air… I never saw that picture, which likely means that by the time I got the film developed, I was stuck with a couple of ceiling shots that made no sense.
I met several photographers in college. They had similar cameras to my father and spent endless hours taking photo after photo, nervous that the exact shot they need wasn’t going to make it to film. As an outgoing dynamic performer, I was the subject of many long and tedious shoots – solidifying my concession that I would never be a male model (yes, that was my decision and I’m sticking to it!)
The Riverboat, by Pete Vigeant
Near the end of my college career, I took an Adobe Photoshop class. I had already used Photoshop a million times, but on a very shallow level. The professor had taught photography for over a decade and completely quit film in the early 2000′s, much to her peer’s dismay.
“A revolution is coming,” she told us, “The revolution of digital.”
I marveled at the power of Photoshop and I believed her that digital was the future, although my photography friends argued otherwise.
Eventually, I was given a digital SLR from my wife. It’s the greatest camera I’ve ever had – and I’ve always had a camera. Finally I was able to take the photos that I saw in my head. I can review the pictures instantly and still have advanced control over my scene – although I’m still (after years) fuzzy on all of the functionality. Truth be told, if I could take the class at iD, I would!
New Zealand - Mount Tongariro, by Pete Vigeant
I can experiment in ways I never could with film and bring my pictures to a new place using tools like Photoshop. In general, though, I don’t even need to get that far – I have the ability to take stunning memories and capture them the way I remember (like a pensive!)
Anita on a Pumpkin, by Pete Vigeant
I don’t think it’s likely that I will ever out-photograph my father, but because I am committed to documenting my world, my family and friends will remember the world from my point of view – and I will be able to share that point of view exactly as I want.
December 7th, 2011 | Tags: adobe photoshop, digital photography, photography, Photoshop, summer camp, summer photography class
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers, Summer Camps
December 6th, 2011 by: Ryan
Each year we are amazed at the hard work and resulting projects created by iD Tech Camps and Teen Academy students across the nation. But this is summer camp after all, which demands balancing the day with fun, outdoor activities. Sometimes, those activities turn into something more, and in this case, published world records!
“Who’s egg-cited?” was the battle cry that pushed our 2010 Princeton summer camp students to beat the record for “largest group egg toss” (72 people). And there is nothing like a little friendly competition, as the previous mark of 60 people was set just one month prior by iD campers at our Colorado summer camps held at the University of Denver!
The very same season, iD Tech campers and staff at Villanova University were hungry for a record of their own, but opted for something a little less tangible (and potentially messy), setting the highest mark for “most people invisible hula-hooping at once.” While the act itself revealed 27 kids and teens attempting to set the record for something like most people dancing terribly, the campers pulled it off effortlessly.
All of this couldn’t have been accomplished if for not, as the book states, “well-oiled hip joints and overactive imaginations.” I can’t say I disagree, as we’ve seen these overactive imaginations create iPhone apps, work through learning how to make video games, and much, much more.
December 6th, 2011 | Tags: Book of Records, Camps for High School Students, Camps in NJ, Colorado summer camps, create iphone apps, How to Make Video Games, Princeton Summer Camp, Villanova Summer Camps
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers
