You are currently browsing the archives for the STEM education tag.
February 6th, 2013 by: Donna
Kids and teens are officially fully immersed in all things technology: playing games on tablets instead of boards, communicating via text instead of yelling down the hall, and usually knowing more about computers than their parents (in many circumstances).
Like learning any language, studies show that retention is highest at a young age, when cognitive development is still occurring at a rapid pace. The same is true with all things digital, including computer science. This is why Douglas Rushkoff, a columnist for CNN.com, is a proponent of making computer science a regular offering in school, just like mathematics, English, or social studies. “When we got language, we didn’t just learn how to listen, but how to speak,” he explains, “When we got text, we didn’t just learn how to read, but how to write.” And here’s where the disconnect occurs: “Now that we have computers, we’re learning how to use them – but not how to program them.”
Funding is always an issue, however this is not to say that America’s schools aren’t heading in the right direction; they are with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum, but Rushkoff argues that we need to push beyond that – kids need to know the how’s and why’s in order to think critically about our world. “Although we live in a highly digital age, digital literacy is not a priority among us. And as a result computer science is not a priority in our schools.”
Students at the iD Programming Academy
“We are putting in place a layer of technology, culture, and economics that we’d darn well better do consciously,” Rushkoff warns, because “the technology we build today is the operating system of the society of tomorrow.” This is where resources like iD Tech Camps and iD Teen Academies come into play. We recognize the need for this creative and immersive learning environment that encourages kids and teens to go beyond playing games on their tablet, beyond texting and social networking, and beyond simply being “users” of the current technology available to them.
Our curriculum and unique environment allow kids to further their critical thinking skills while having fun and improving their digital literacy. There is an opportunity here for kids and teens to become fluent in this new language – to become active contributors, and even innovators – enabling them to write their own code to produce apps, systems, software, and more. We’ve got the tools. What will you build? How will you do something BIG?
Source:
Rushkoff, Douglas. Teach U.S. kids how to write computer code. (2012). www.cnn.com. Retrieved 10:45, February 5, 2013, from http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/10/opinion/rushkoff-code-writing/index.html
February 6th, 2013 | Tags: coding camps, computer camps for kids, computer science, computer science camps, digital literacy, STEM education, STEM summer camps
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers, iD Tech Camps
April 9th, 2012 by: Donna
It’s that time of year again! Today is the first day of our Spring Break Camp in Santa Clara, CA. 2012 marks our 5th season holding our annual Spring Break Camp at Don Callejon School – located right in the heart of all the technology action in Silicon Valley. What exactly goes on at this camp? Our Curriculum Manager, Randy, participated in a Q&A session with me to give us the break down on our Spring Break Tech Camp!
What is Spring Break Camp like at iD Tech Camps?
Spring Break Camp is kind of like the first midnight showing of a hot new movie. It’s a chance for students to get a sneak peek of new courses, new curriculum and new activities that have been meticulously planned for the upcoming Summer. Not only that, but it’s a chance for kids to put a new passion of theirs into practice, or take a new skill for a spin.
Is camp geared toward a specific age group or gender?
This is a great opportunity for all students! We are holding courses that run the spectrum for ages 7-17, and appeal to both boys and girls.
What’s new for Spring Break Camp in 2012?
We have several exciting new courses such as Intro to Web Design & Photography and Movie Making Camp, as well as two courses that feature the hot gaming title Portal™ 2. We also have new outdoor activities to debut.
What is included in a typical day at our Spring Break Camp?
After we get settled in the morning, we recap important concepts from the previous day, and then jump into the next set of lessons until lunchtime. After our lunch break outside at our private picnic area, we burn off some energy playing field games designed specifically for our camps, or enjoying board games in the shade. Our afternoon classroom session is a scheduled balance of new, classroom lessons, and personal instruction as the students develop their own individual projects. At the end of the day, we gather the camp together for a recap of the day’s events and to acknowledge those who have helped us along the way.
Why is this camp a great option for kids on Spring Break?
Spring Break Camp is an opportunity for kids to learn, play, create and develop new friendships. For kids into technology and computers, what’s not to love?!
How does attending this weeklong camp benefit students after camp is over?
All of our camps offer access to the most cutting edge technologies and contemporary computer skills. Our courses are designed to stimulate conceptual thinking and strengthen academic connections, all while having FUN, creating games, projects, websites, robots, videos and more. For kids who are considering joining iD Tech Camps at one of our summer locations, Spring Break Camp gives them an opportunity to build a solid foundation in their chosen path, then hit the ground running over the summer and take their skill set to the next level.
Don’t worry if you couldn’t make it to our Spring Break Camp this year. Summer is just around the corner, and there’s still time to find an iD Tech Camps location near you and plan for an awesome summer camp experience!
April 9th, 2012 | Tags: Bay Area camps, benefits of camp, Movie Making Camp, photography camps, Silicon Valley camps, spring break camp, spring break camps, STEM education, STEM summer camps, web design camps
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers, iD Tech Camps, Locations
March 13th, 2012 by: Ryan
Here is another great article that details the benefits of STEM education, while answering important questions like “Is STEM right for my child?” and more. The article also touches on the offerings of STEM camp and talks about our summer camps in North Carolina! Here is a small preview, but the entire article can be found on CarolinaParent.com
Science Technology Engineering Math Studies Grow at Summer Camp
By Jennifer Gregory
While some parents are just discovering what STEM means, camps focusing on STEM education have been around for years — many associated with local universities. Some camps focus on a specific area of science and incorporate math concepts. Other camps integrate all four concepts into the programming, such as a robotics or computer programming camp.
Is a STEM camp right for my child?
While parents and children may think STEM camps are full of highly academic students, camp directors say that isn’t necessarily the case.
“Over the years, the typical student has really changed,” says Karen Thurm Safran, vice president of marketing and business development for iD Tech Camps, which offers programs at various college campuses, including UNC-Chapel Hill. “As technology has become cool, we have gotten a huge variety of students, from gifted students ecstatic to be with other kids like themselves, to more artsy kids who like animation or videography.”
Chuck Riordan, senior program manager of Camps on Campus at UNC-Charlotte, recommends parents select a program their child is interested in, instead of a program parents want their child to attend. Finding a camp that’s a good match for a particular child is what’s most important.
Avid video gamers may be drawn to a video game programming class or iPhone application design camp. Students who draw in their spare time may become excited about technology through a Web design program. Or the child whose room is covered with Lego pieces may discover a future in engineering through a robotics camp.
Click here to read the entire article on CarolinaParent.com
March 13th, 2012 | Tags: STEM Camps, STEM education, Summer camps in NC, summer camps in North Carolina
Posted in: UNC Chapel Hill
February 23rd, 2012 by: Ryan
Here is an excerpt from a great article about our Summer Camps in Illinois and STEM education. The full article is currently posted online and will appear in the March edition of Chicago Parent. Enjoy!
Science Deficit
By Robyn Monaghan
…But the real burst came when they sent Andrew to iD Tech camp at Northwestern University about four years ago. iD Tech Camps, also offered at Lake Forest College, are hands-on STEM courses that focus on preparing students for today’s job market. Science buffs 7-17 enroll in weeklong, day and overnight summer programs where they can rub elbows with mentors who are real pros in tech jobs. During the past 13 years, more than 130,000 students at 60 universities worldwide have learned to create video games, iPhone apps, Java programs, websites, movies, 3D animations, ad designs, and even robots.
This summer, Andrew’s going to an iD Tech camp at Stanford University.
“It gives me the chance to be creative, not just a book-learning experience,” Andrew says. “I get to meet people who are really making a living doing the things I love to do.”
Click here to read the entire article on ChicagoParent.com
February 23rd, 2012 | Tags: Chicago summer camps, STEM education, STEM summer camps, summer camps in Illinois
Posted in: iD In The News, Lake Forest College, Northwestern University
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
October 27th, 2011 by: Donna
When you think of the word “app” or “application” – what does it mean to you? If you’re in high school, it’s likely this brings college applications to mind with looming fall deadlines. If you’re thinking technologically, maybe you just realized you haven’t played Angry Birds in about an hour and you’re having withdrawals. It wasn’t until recently that this word took on so many different meanings. For our students at iD Tech Camps and iD Teen Academies, the definition goes further and the question subsequently becomes: “What app am I going to create today?”
Apps are multiplying – with college applications leading the way. Both public and private university campuses across the U.S. had record-breaking application numbers for the Fall 2011 term. One report shows that UCLA received the largest number of applications among all UC campuses with a record 81,235 total applicants – a 6.4 percent increase from last year. Although always a popular choice, Harvard also broke records and saw their Class of 2015 applicant numbers hit nearly 35,000; approximately 15 percent more than last year.
While admission competition remains fierce for many of the most notable universities, state schools like those in the California State University system saw overall admissions increase significantly, despite state budget cuts bringing schools down to funding levels circa 1999-2000. The CSU system is now serving 70,000 more students than were attending in the year 2000, according to one press release. While it’s admirable that state schools pride themselves on being accessible to the masses, are these soaring admission rates doing more harm than good? Upon entry, students face limited course offerings, mandatory furlough days and fee hikes. Students often have to make up for this by taking unavailable courses during a later term in order to fulfill degree requirements. It’s no wonder competition for a spot at the top-tier and ivy-league universities is so stiff!
So what does all of this mean? The college degree has become the new high school diploma in terms of being competitive in the job market – and even that isn’t a sure bet without marketable skills. With more awareness comes more competition and if current trends continue, the college application numbers definitely aren’t tapering off anytime soon. This inevitably places more emphasis on student skills, extracurricular activities and academic promise. Popular and prestigious universities can afford to be even more picky; they want applicants who are driven to succeed and can prove that they’re ready to do something big if granted entrance.
This is no small feat and there’s more and more pressure on young people to tangibly show how they are stronger candidates for admission. It now goes beyond passing AP Exams and earning high SAT scores (although there’s no denying that these factors help). Students need to tap their creative potential early. Being great at science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is a giant step in the right direction – but it’s what a person is capable of doing with these skills that will charm a university or a potential employer. What problem is being solved? What level of creativity is shining through?
How do you stand out in your school?
Maybe your daughter is developing major digital photography skills and honed her craft at the iD Visual Arts Academy over the summer. Now she has a portfolio to accompany her college applications that she developed with professional equipment and direction from industry professionals at camp. Or perhaps your son has taken several iD Tech Camps programming courses, then went on to attend the iD Programming Academy where he utilized his advanced computer science and application development skills. Now he’s publishing his own iPhone® and iPad® apps. College admission boards are likely to take notice when he expands on this in his admissions essay. It also doesn’t hurt to have a few Accredited Continuing Education Units from Stanford Continuing Studies or Villanova University to add that extra little sparkle to a college app (both of which can be attained at iD Tech Camps and iD Teen Academies).
There’s no denying it: Apps are here to stay – in every applicable sense of the word. Apprehension can be avoided if the right steps are taken to prepare for what’s next. Students at iD Tech Camps stay ahead of the curve by exploring their STEM-based creative potential at an early age in a fun, engaging environment. What sets your student apart from the crowd? Let’s discover it together. Mark your calendar: Registration for the 2012 season goes live on November 1, 2011.
October 27th, 2011 | Tags: application development camp, college applications, create iphone apps, creative summer camps, make apps, STEM education, STEM summer camps, summer camps for creative kids
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers, iD Tech Camps
October 27th, 2011 by: Donna
When you think of the word “app” or “application” – what does it mean to you? If you’re in high school, it’s likely this brings college applications to mind with looming fall deadlines. If you’re thinking technologically, maybe you just realized you haven’t played Angry Birds in about an hour and you’re having withdrawals. It wasn’t until recently that this word took on so many different meanings. For our students at iD Tech Camps and iD Teen Academies, the definition goes further and the question subsequently becomes: “What app am I going to create today?”
Apps are multiplying – with college applications leading the way. Both public and private university campuses across the U.S. had record-breaking application numbers for the Fall 2011 term. One report shows that UCLA received the largest number of applications among all UC campuses with a record 81,235 total applicants – a 6.4 percent increase from last year. Although always a popular choice, Harvard also broke records and saw their Class of 2015 applicant numbers hit nearly 35,000; approximately 15 percent more than last year.
While admission competition remains fierce for many of the most notable universities, state schools like those in the California State University system saw overall admissions increase significantly, despite state budget cuts bringing schools down to funding levels circa 1999-2000. The CSU system is now serving 70,000 more students than were attending in the year 2000, according to one press release. While it’s admirable that state schools pride themselves on being accessible to the masses, are these soaring admission rates doing more harm than good? Upon entry, students face limited course offerings, mandatory furlough days and fee hikes. Students often have to make up for this by taking unavailable courses during a later term in order to fulfill degree requirements. It’s no wonder competition for a spot at the top-tier and ivy-league universities is so stiff!
So what does all of this mean? The college degree has become the new high school diploma in terms of being competitive in the job market – and even that isn’t a sure bet without marketable skills. With more awareness comes more competition and if current trends continue, the college application numbers definitely aren’t tapering off anytime soon. This inevitably places more emphasis on student skills, extracurricular activities and academic promise. Popular and prestigious universities can afford to be even more picky; they want applicants who are driven to succeed and can prove that they’re ready to do something big if granted entrance.
This is no small feat and there’s more and more pressure on young people to tangibly show how they are stronger candidates for admission. It now goes beyond passing AP Exams and earning high SAT scores (although there’s no denying that these factors help). Students need to tap their creative potential early. Being great at science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is a giant step in the right direction – but it’s what a person is capable of doing with these skills that will charm a university or a potential employer. What problem is being solved? What level of creativity is shining through?
How do you stand out in your school?
Maybe your daughter is developing major digital photography skills and honed her craft at the iD Visual Arts Academy over the summer. Now she has a portfolio to accompany her college applications that she developed with professional equipment and direction from industry professionals at camp. Or perhaps your son has taken several iD Tech Camps programming courses, then went on to attend the iD Programming Academy where he utilized his advanced computer science and application development skills. Now he’s publishing his own iPhone® and iPad® apps. College admission boards are likely to take notice when he expands on this in his admissions essay. It also doesn’t hurt to have a few Accredited Continuing Education Units from Stanford Continuing Studies or Villanova University to add that extra little sparkle to a college app (both of which can be attained at iD Tech Camps and iD Teen Academies).
There’s no denying it: Apps are here to stay – in every applicable sense of the word. Apprehension can be avoided if the right steps are taken to prepare for what’s next. Students at iD Tech Camps stay ahead of the curve by exploring their STEM-based creative potential at an early age in a fun, engaging environment. What sets your student apart from the crowd? Let’s discover it together. Mark your calendar: Registration for the 2012 season goes live on November 1, 2011.
October 27th, 2011 | Tags: application development camp, college applications, create iphone apps, creative summer camps, make apps, STEM education, STEM summer camps, summer camps for creative kids
Posted in: iD Tech Bloggers, iD Tech Camps
February 28th, 2011 by: Audrey
A crusade that started with Katie Goldman is being picked up by iD Tech Camps. 7-year-old Katie was teased for carrying a Star Wars water bottle – something that was “only for boys.” Her story quickly went viral, and supporters from every corner of the web chimed in to let her know that she was not alone. In her honor, iD Tech Camps has created a Girls in Technology scholarship to encourage girls to pursue anything that they love – be it Star Wars or technology – and to dispel the myth that certain things are “only for boys.”
iD Tech Camps is a summer youth technology program that offers courses in game design, iPhone® app development, web design, programming, filmmaking, robotics and other subjects. Students learn in small classes (average size 6, maximum 8 students) during weeklong sessions at 60 prestigious universities nationwide. At the end of each week, students put their tech skills to the test by completing a challenging final project.
But the final project is just the beginning – iD students take what they’ve learned back into the real world and keep building on their skills. Katherine, for instance, is an inspirational camper who learned animation with Maya® at one of iD’s Los Angeles summer camps held at UCLA, and went on to win 1st place, place and “Best of Show” at a statewide film festival. With the Girls in Technology scholarship, iD Tech Camps aims to produce more role models like Katherine who show that girls and technology are a winning combination.
For its 2011 summer camp season, iD Tech Camps awarded the Girls in Technology scholarship through Starlight Children’s Foundation™ to Anna Kimmel, 13, of Eagan, MN. She is an impressive student who uses technology to break through boundaries daily. Born with arthrogryposis, Anna started using computers before she was three for adaptive speech. Now she uses a laptop at school every day, interfacing with a smart board to write and participate in all of her classes.
Anna is an example of how stereotypes, gender and otherwise, don’t hold. “Anna’s life thus far has been about fighting assumptions – just because she’s in a wheelchair, doesn’t mean she isn’t extremely smart and capable,” says Anna’s mother. “And technology comes intuitively to her – she’ll get a new computer and just figure it out. She teaches me how to do things on my iPhone. She loves technology and explores it every way she can.”
Pete Ingram-Cauchi, CEO of iD Tech Camps, seconds Anna’s mother. “Part of iD Tech Camps’ mission is to make sure that everyone understands that tech camp is a creative, vibrant environment. Girls don’t feel bored or excluded, they learn cool skills that are very necessary in today’s high-tech world.”
If iD Tech Camps has anything to do with it, the force will be with Katie – the force of a tech-savvy generation of girls.
ABOUT STARLIGHT CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For more than 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation™ has been dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight’s programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Through a network of chapters and offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom. To learn more visit www.starlight.org.
February 28th, 2011 | Tags: girls in STEM, scholarships, STEM education, video game design
Posted in: iD Tech Camps
