TechChanger MakerSpace at the USRA STEMaction Center
We are very excited to announce the opening of the TechChanger MakerSpace at the USRA STEMaction Center. The USRA STEMaction Center is an 18,000 square foot space at Universities Space Research Association's Headquarters in Columbia, MD. The center is a hub of STEM activities for students throughout the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Thanks to the generous space donation from USRA and the USRA STEMaction Center, Tech Changers has created a classroom in a portion of the space to provide FREE computer science and STEM programs to area youth. The space is equipped with Raspberry Pi and laptop computers, white boards and a variety of presentation areas. The laptops were donated to Tech Changers from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. For a glimpse into what it takes to go from empty warehouse to tech'ed out lab check out our Giphy:
Girls Who Code is back {and better than ever}
Emily and Chen are back with our Girls Who Code Intro Club for middle school girls. This program teaches the basics of text based programming via Khan Academy, Java Script and lots of bonding and community building. The Fall Intro club is ending soon but will be back in the Spring! Be sure to sign up to receive announcements about registration.
GWC Intro Club is ending but the High School MakerSpace club is only beginning. Our amazing Sarah Dietrich will be joined by Samantha for a mini club featuring SnapChat Automation. Classes are on Mondays from 6:30-8:00. Registration is still open and you can sign up here (and bring a friend:) NEW Programs for girls and BOYS from 4th grade to 12th. Jeff, an intern at the USRA STEMaction Center, helps kids troubleshoot their micro:bit code.
In addition to Girls Who Code, TechChangers is opening its doors to boys and girls in grades 4 - 12 in a variety of settings:
Physical Computing 101 launched this Fall with 26 4th & 5th graders. Our new course takes you on a journey through the world of computers. From computer dissections to logic gates, students learn what it takes to get code through a computer. After studying the anatomy of the computer, students explore the circulatory systems of computer code and what happens to code as it is transformed from a simple algorithm to pulsing binary and circuitry. The fall program was a big hit. In the Spring, we plan to offer the course again. We will also be introducing Physical Computing 201 where students will use their existing knowledge and confidence to program lights, cameras and motors! Physical Computing 101 is a prerequisite for the Advance Physical Computing Class. Be sure to sign up for announcements to learn about registration and program dates. TechChanger MakerSpace Mondays are designed as drop in sessions for students in grades 6-12. Each week, social time and dinner happens @ 5:30. At 6:00, special guests (aka experts from the STEM and Computer Science community) join us as we learn about stuff like circuits, soldering, computer hardware and nanotechnology. To date, we've had some great sessions and guests. Octavia, from the USRA STEMaction Center, shared her costume making talents to help high school students "light up" their costumes. Nick Strnad shared his work with nanotechnology and Tim Laswell and Jimi helped out with our 'Can This Computer Be Saved?' session. Sessions happen on "Random Mondays." We are having one last session on a Monday in December and will start back up in February...sign up to get updates about this and other Tech Changer and community news here!
Computer Laptops Donation from Johns Hopkins APL
We have many things to be thankful for at Tech Changers and we want to send a big shoutout to Johns Hopkins APL for their donation of 22 Dell laptops. They arrived without hard drives but that didn't stop Tech Changers volunteers who came together to purchase and install the hard drives during one of our TechChanger MakerSpace Happy {work} Hour. Thanks Vicki, Mike, Sarah, Jay, Greg, Jimi and April! The laptops are a critical component to our program and will come in valuable in supporting current and future programs.The laptops are a critical component to our program and will be valuable in supporting current and future programs"
MD STEM Festival @ USRA & Columbia Mini MakerFaire
We had fun celebrating the MD STEM Festival this year. Tech Changers set up shop at several local events to share an activity called "Sending Good Vibes via Electromagnetic Radiation." We had a great time watching kids of all ages get excited about coding their micro:bits to transfer messages to each other. Special shout out to Akshaya, Katie O'Malley, and Michael Lyden for volunteering at the tables and sending your "good vibes."
MANY Reasons to Give THANKS!
Behind the scenes at Tech Changers are some amazing young adults who have given of their time and talents to support the Tech Changers program. We are so fortunate to have a talented youth community in Howard County who is willing to use their talents for good. Jamie Wright, a communication major at UMBC, shared her talents to write articles featuring our board members. We hope to feature them on our website in the upcoming months.
Kyle and Eric Henn shot and produced our very first Tech Changers promo video. We are excited to share it here. Kyle is a film major at Ohio University and Eric is doing the same at Syracuse University. A huge shout out to the two of them for giving up many hours of their summer vacation to make this happen. Finally, thanks to Ashley Goff, a graphic design major at Towson, for designing our new logo and getting it done with a tight deadline! Our Very First Fundraising Campaign
As you can see, Tech Changers team has been busy. Our plans to offer programming to the Howard County community are only beginning. We look forward to offering more programs and improving our MakerSpace... but we need your support. Your donation will allow us to continue to offer FREE programs at the TechChanger MakerSpace so ALL students have the opportunities to discover Computer Science and explore their passions! In Honor Of Giving Week, Your Donation Will Be Matched 2X. Donate Now And Double Your Impact and Support CSforAll in Howard County. We are also registered on Benevity for any employees who offer company matches. Click here to donate via Paypal
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Authorlisa wenzel is a geekie teacher that has moved beyond the classroom to spread her love of CS and STEM with HC as president of Tech Changers! Come learn with us! Archives
August 2021
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