2018 5 16

Wednesday, May 16

Hi there!

Gift Cards for participating students to cover Travel & Supplies:

A generous donor has come forward and we are super happy to share that we will be able to offer EVERY participating student a Visa gift card to offset travel costs, supplies purchased for your presentation (trifold, printouts, etc) and incidentals. Cards will range from $75 to $200 per student and will be calculated based on the distance traveled to attend the event. This amount is set by our donor and is non-negotiable.

EventBrite Registration

Since there are multiple events occurring in and around the State Capitol, we need to make sure we have an accurate record of all other attendees (participating students, coaches/mentors, parents, siblings, etc) to report to the State Capitol facilities folks.

Everyone who will be on site MUST register via Eventbrite so we know the number of people who will be showing up to accurately report headcount. We have been able to secure some donor funds to underwrite the costs for attendees. The event costs are:

Attendees Ages 11 & Up: $20

Youth (3 – 10): $10

Youth (under 3): FREE

Montana Code Girls Participating Student: FREE

Coach/Mentor: FREE

Register here to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/montana-code-girls-2018-montana-app-challenge-tickets-45819205477

Judging

Students will present to a rotating group of judges. Each judge will individually meet with each team for 10 to 15 minutes sohelp prepare the students by letting them know that they may have to present UP TO 4 times.

Pro-gun rally

The pro-gun rally is still happening on the North side of the building, so we ask that upon arrival (or if you need to take a break outside), please use the South entrance of the building. The State Capitol team is working to ensure that appropriate security will be on hand both inside and outside of the building.

Photos, Raffles & more!

At the end of the day, we will be taking team and a group photo as well as raffling off some prizes, so please encourage your participants to stay for photos. We will also be offering a prize for the best #SitWithMeMontana selfie of the day, so that is super fun!

Below is the current schedule for the day!

May 19^th, Helena Capitol Building.

Notes: Use South Entrance

Arrival Time: 9:30 am

Registration: 9:30-10:00am

·      Arrive

·      Enter through South entrance

·      Sign in/Cover food restrictions/allergies

·      Set up projects

*you must visit the registration table to receive your gift card and your table placement.

Welcome: 10:00am

Judging: 10:15am -12:30pm

Lunch: 12:30-1:00pm

Keynote Speaker: 1:00-1:30pm

Awards Ceremony: 1:30 – 2pm

Raffle & Selfie Awards: 2:00pm

Group/Team Pictures: 2:15pm

Pack Up & Return Home: 2:30pm

2018 5 9

Wednesday, May 9 

Work on your apps until I arrive, then...

First

Register for App Challenge

Follow this link.

It's free for you, but if your parents are attending, they need to sign-up, too. The cost is $20 (for food and drinks).

Second

Work on your pitch video - see what you need to do in the rubric posted above.

We'll wrap up everything next week...

1. If you haven't already, complete Unit 6, Lesson 2 bubbles 3-13
2. Then go to Unit 6 Lesson 6, bubbles 3-5.
3. You can also go here and here (for those who are ready for more)

I will visit with each group to discuss what other functionality we can with App Lab.

2018 5 2

Wednesday, May 2 

After snack, 

GET TO WORK - only 3 weeks left!!!

If you want, take a look at the other things we need to do for our app on the tab "MT App Challenge Rubric" above.

App Creators:

1. Continue to work on the screens for your APP.
2. Work on FUNCTIONALITY of each screen. 
3. If you haven't already, complete Unit 6, Lesson 2 bubbles 3-13
4. Then go to Unit 6 Lesson 6, bubbles 3-5.
5. You can also go here and here (for those who are ready for more)

I will visit with each group to discuss what other functionality we can with App Lab.

2018 4 25

Wednesday, April 25 

After snack, 

GET TO WORK - only 4 weeks left!!!

App Creators:

1. Continue to work on the screens for your APP.
2. Work on FUNCTIONALITY of each screen. 
3. If you haven't already, complete Unit 6, Lesson 2 bubbles 3-13
4. Then go to Unit 6 Lesson 6, bubbles 3-5.
5. You can also go here and here (for those who are ready for more)

I will visit with each group to discuss what other functionality we can with App Lab.

Scratchers - continue with your game. What does the USER do? How does the game help the USER?

2018 4 18

Wednesday, April 18 

After snack, 

GET TO WORK - only 5 weeks left!!!

App Creators:

1. Create the screens you need for the app. You can work individually and "Share" screens or work together.
2. Make sure the buttons that take you from screen to screen work. 
3. We will work on the functionality of the app in the next couple weeks (this is the really hard stuff).

Scratchers - continue with your game. What does the USER do? How does the game help the USER?

2018 4 11

Wednesday, April 11 

Part 1: Snack, Discussion, Video 3:30-3:45

After snack, 

GET TO WORK - only 6 weeks left!!!

App Creators:

Here's the process:

1. You must complete the brainstorming - see me if you haven't done this part.

2. You must complete a Paper Prototype - see me if you haven't done this part. 

    Paper Prototype screens: click here

3. Log in to code.org and start on App Lab - Lesson 12, Level 1 (that's the bubble on the top of the screen).

    Go to code.org and sign in on the top left. You'll need the class code YLSTRG and then find your "code              words" on this sheet.

Scratchers - continue with your game. What does the USER do? How does the game help the USER?

2018 4 4

Wednesday, April 4 

Part 1: Snack, Discussion, Video 3:30-3:45

After snack, watch the following video about how computers work. 

Video1

Think about:

What is the relationship between hardware and software? How does it apply to the app challenge?

________________________________________________________________

Part 2: Continue with App brainstorming and App creation 3:45-5:00

App Creators:

Here's the process:

1. You must complete the brainstorming - see me if you haven't done this part.

2. You must complete a Paper Prototype - see me if you haven't done this part. 

    Paper Prototype screens: click here

3. Log in to code.org and start on App Lab - Lesson 12, Level 1 (that's the bubble on the top of the screen).

    Go to code.org and sign in on the top left. You'll need the class code YLSTRG and then find your "code              words" on this sheet.

Scratchers - continue with your game. What does the USER do? How does the game help the USER?

 

2018 3 14

Wednesday, March 14 - *no meeting on the 21st*

Part 1: Snack, Discussion, Video 3:30-3:45

After snack, watch the following video about how computers work. 

Video1

Think about:

What are the 4 basic functions of a computer? Which one is most important?

________________________________________________________________

Part 2: Continue with App brainstorming 3:45-4:00

APP Stars:

Continue with creating your screens. 

Remember: You should design the LEAST amount you need to create a functional app. You can build on this app later.

Scratchers:

Think about a game that could be used to help kids your age. WRITE DOWN some ideas on scratch paper. I'll meet with you to discuss what you will create.

________________________________________________________________

Part 3: Wireframes, Screens and Paper Prototypes 4:00-5:00

Spring Break coding at the library? What are your family plans?

Print this: App brainstorming. DO Pages 2 and 3

You must show me page 3 before moving on to Part 4 below.

Then start designing your screens using the following link

Paper Prototype screens: click here

_____________________________________________________________________________

Part 4: If you are ready to get started with App Lab...

Click this link and log in with your whitefishschools account.
It would be best to complete the first three diamond screens together.

1. Review this document  and make sure you have ONE screen to design.
2. Review this document and show me that you know how to name your screen and elements.
3. Print this document. Complete the chart for each team member's first screen We will add to it later.

Start designing one screen by following the info in the different round "levels" of code.org.

GOAL: each group member creates 1 screen.

Contest Rules:
https://technovationchallenge.org/wp-content/uploads/judging-rubric.pdf

2018 3 7

Ugh! I'm sick!!!

Wednesday, March 7

Part 1: Snack, Discussion, Video 3:30-3:45

As you are eating your snack, watch the following video about how computers work. 

Video1

Think about:

What is a circuit? How does it work?

________________________________________________________________

Part 2: Continue with App brainstorming 3:45-4:00

APP Stars:

Continue with creating your screens. 

Remember: You should design the LEAST amount you need to get a functional app. You can build on this app later.

Scratchers:

Start thinking about a game that could be used to help kids your age. WRITE DOWN some ideas on scratch paper. I'll meet with you to discuss what you will create.

________________________________________________________________

Part 3: Wireframes, Screens and Paper Prototypes 4:00-5:00

Print this: App brainstorming. DO Pages 2 and 3

Then start designing your screens using the following link

Paper Prototype screens: click here

_____________________________________________________________________________

Part 4: If you want to get started with App Lab...
Click this link and log in with your whitefishschools account.
Go as far as you want.

Contest Rules:
https://technovationchallenge.org/wp-content/uploads/judging-rubric.pdf

2018 2 28

Wednesday, February 28

Part 1: Snack, Discussion, Video 3:30-3:45

As you are eating your snack, watch the following video about how computers work. 

Video1

Discuss with a partner:

What the heck is binary? How does it work?

What is your age in Binary? What is your name in Binary?

Part 2: Market Research 3:45-4:15

APP Stars:

Get into teams. Discuss or continue your market research. 
Here's the form you need if you don't have yours from last time.

Scratchers:

Start thinking about a game that could be used to help kids your age. WRITE DOWN some ideas on scratch paper. I'll meet with you to discuss what you will create.

Part 3: Discussion of Market Research 4:15-4:30

A. What did you discover - we'll hear from each team.

Part 4: Discussion of Market Research 4:30-5:00

Start your App brainstorming.

2018 2 6

Wednesday, February 6

Part 1: Snack, Discussion, Video 3:30-3:45

As you are eating your snack, watch the following videos about computers. That old guy in the first video is Bill Gates. He created the company Microsoft, whose Windows operating system you are using right now!

Video 1

Video 2

Discuss with a partner:
What is a computer?

Part 2: App Lab 3:45-4:00

Go to this link and continue your work on the App Lab tutorial.

(We are going to move past this tutorial soon)

Part 3: Problems in our community

A. Watch the videos.

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3 Video 3 Video 3

What is the social issue that this app was designed to address?

How was it designed to do so?

B. Discussion

• What are some problems/concerns in our community? 
• Can we use technology to help address these problems? If so How?

2018 1 31

Wednesday, January 31 - no meeting

We have reached the end of learning how to design an app, get feedback on the app, and then improve the app based on our design. All this was done on paper so that the computer wouldn't "interfere" with the concepts we were learning. 

The next step is to find a real problem in our community and figure out a way to solve it using technology. Specifically, we will build an app for a handheld device that addresses the problem. We started looking at these problems at the beginning of the club, but I quickly realized we weren't ready to jump in and tackle that kind of work yet. So it has been on the back burner for a while. 

Parents,  in order to prepare for the next meeting (Feb 7th) I need your help. 

1. Please watch the videos in this link with your children. These are all apps created by teams of students, and we aspire to create something somewhat similar for our community.

2. Please view the attached document - print it out if you like - have your student interview 3 adults, and try to capture what the adult was saying about our community's needs. This might be a good activity for you to do with your student. I would teach interviewing skills, but our time is better spent learning how to make apps. 

Our next meeting will focus on breaking into teams and starting to design apps that address a community concern/problem. That's what the Montana App Challenge is designed for.

Important dates to note...

January 31st - no meeting

February 21st - no meeting

March 21st, March 28th - no meeting

May 19th - Montana App Challenge in Helena (much more info later)

2018 1 24

Wednesday, January 24

Part 1: Snack, Discussion, Video 3:30-3:45

As you are eating your snack, watch the following videos about the internet.
Video 1

Discuss with a partner:
Which apps did you like? Which ones didn't you like?
Can you think of an app that would make a positive impact on your school?

Part 2: App Lab 3:45-4:00

Go to this link and continue your work on the App Lab tutorial.

Part 3: User Interfaces - making them better

A. Follow the directions I provide you in class today - this is an offline activity.

• What's the best way to listen? 
• How do you make an app better?

Link to the activity (for parents)

2018 1 17

Wednesday, January 17

Part 1: Snack, Discussion, Video 3:30-3:45

As you are eating your snack, watch the following videos about the internet.
Video 1

Discuss with a partner:
Which apps did you like? Which ones didn't you like?
Can you think of an app that would make a positive impact on your school?

Part 2: App Lab 3:45-4:00

Go to this link and continue your work on the App Lab tutorial.

Part 3: User Interfaces - making them better

A. Follow the directions I provide you in class today - this is an offline activity.

• What's the best way to listen? 
• How do you make an app better?

Link to the activity (for parents)

2018 1 10

Wednesday, January 10

Part 1: Snack, Discussion, Video 3:30-3:45

While you are eating your snack, turn to your neighbor and discuss the following questions. Jot down your answers on a scratch sheet of paper that I will collect.

1. What has been the most fun so far in this class?
2. What has been the biggest challenge?
3. What is the one thing you want to learn most?
4. What is your experience creating apps?

Part 2: App Lab 3:45-4:00

Video: App Lab Tutorial
Get started in App Lab by clicking on the link above. DO NOT sign in.

When I arrive, I'll show you how to sign in with your school email and save your progress.

Part 3: Understanding your User

A. Follow the directions I provide you in class today - this is an offline activity.

B. Homework: go to code.org, sign in with your school email and join the CodeRangers class: YLSTRG