San Diego Supercomputer Center Middle and High School Science and Technology Summer 2012 Workshops

Summer 2012 will be a summer of fun and learning at the San Diego Supercomputer Center on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. Summer offerings range from animation creation to programming to app development to geoscience and computer security to game development and much more! Workshops are open to students in middle and high school but please see each individual workshop description, as some workshops are specific to high school students only. We look forward to seeing you this summer!

Student Summer Workshops Listed by Week

June 20-22, 2012

Introduction to Web Development for Middle School Students: Introduction to Web Development: Learning HTML, CSS, and Javascript
Wednesday- Friday, June 20-22, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

During the last 5 years, web applications have become commonplace throughout almost everyone’s experience on the Internet. Gmail, Hotmail, Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress, Evernote, and Groupon are all web applications build by web developers. The technologies powering these Internet phenomena boast unparalleled accessibility and potential for inspiring young programmers. While the topic may be quite expansive, any willing student can learn web development and have a blast doing it. Even students who have never programmed will enjoy creating their own web applications. Students in this workshop will be using WebMatrix™, which is a web development tool from Microsoft that includes everything you need for website development. WebMatrix is to web development what Word is to writing. Start from open source web applications, built-in web templates or just start writing code yourself. It is all-inclusive, simple and best of all free. Developing websites has never been easier.
Presented by Derrick McMillan, UCSD
Course open to students in grades 7-9.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

June 25-29, 2012

Beginning Programming in a 3D Environment for Middle School Students
Monday- Friday, June 25-29, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

Alice is a 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create animation for storytelling, playing an interactive game, or sharing a video on the web. Alice is designed to be a teaching tool for introductory computing. It uses 3D graphics and a drag-and-drop interface to facilitate a more engaging, less frustrating first programming experience. Created for middle school, high school and college students, this software program offers a first glimpse into the world of computer programming. Alice allows students to learn fundamental programming concepts in the context of creating animated movies and simple video games. In Alice, 3-D objects (e.g., people, animals, and vehicles) populate a virtual world and students create a program to animate the objects. Come join the fun!
Presented by Jeff Sale, San Diego Supercomputer Center, UCSD
Course open to students in grades 6-10.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

Introduction to Object Oriented Programming Using Java
Monday- Friday, June 25-29, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

This workshop introduces object oriented programing development and design using Java. Students will learn basic programming language concepts including Java syntax, input/output, sequence, selection and iteration. Object oriented concepts will be introduced including Java classes that contain instance and local variables, constructors, methods and objects. Students will focus on algorithm development and problem solving skills using sound software engineering practices. This course will start with the very basics and assumes that students do not have any previous Java programming experience and does not require any other programming experience. This course will cover the fundamentals of the operative parts of Java and will introduce the basic programming concepts of Java programming.
Presented by Terrie Canon, Professor, Palomar College
Course open to students in grades 9-12.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

July 2-6, 2012

Introduction to Securing Computer Systems
Monday-Tuesday and Thursday Friday, June 2-3 and 5-6, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm
Please note that Wednesday, July 4, 2012 is a holiday.

In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of securing computer operating systems. This class is a combination of theory and hands on application. This course will show how students how operating systems work and actions that can be used to make them more secure. As apart of the class students will be given weak systems to secure. Students will learn about Windows and UNIX Systems. Once they are done the systems will come under simulated attack by a Red Team. After participating in this course, the student will understand the fundamentals on how to secure an operating system. The student will also have secured a system and defended it from attack.
Presented by Chris Simpson, Instructor, San Diego Supercomputer Center, UCSD
Course fee: $180.00
Course open to students in grades 9-12.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

July 9-13, 2012

Alice™ – Beginning Computer Programming in a 3D Environment!
Monday- Friday, July 9-13, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

Alice is a 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create animation for storytelling, playing an interactive game, or sharing a video on the web. Alice is designed to be a teaching tool for introductory computing. It uses 3D graphics and a drag-and-drop interface to facilitate a more engaging, less frustrating first programming experience. Created for middle school, high school and college students, this software program offers a first glimpse into the world of computer programming. Come join the fun!Alice allows students to learn fundamental programming concepts in the context of creating animated movies and simple video games. In Alice, 3-D objects (e.g., people, animals, and vehicles) populate a virtual world and students create a program to animate the objects. Come join the fun!
Presented by Terrie Canon, Professor, Palomar College
Course open to students in grades 6-9.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

July 16-20, 2012

Creating Your Own Animated Films with Adobe Flash
Wednesday- Friday, July 16-20, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

Adobe Flash is the most popular tool for creating animations to distribute over the internet and it is a growing method of animation used for television, music videos, and even feature length films. Flash’s popularity lies in its ease of use and its visual appeal. It is simple enough that one person can create an entire movie on their own, without the tedious hours required to do traditional hand drawn animation. It is the perfect way to share your ideas with others. In this fun and exciting five-day workshop, get hands-on experience creating your own original animations using Adobe Flash. We will be diving into the toolset by learning how to draw and create your own environments right in the program. We will cover several methods of animation, including simple moving of objects, frame-by-frame animation simulating traditional hand-drawn animation, symbol animation, and nested animations. And to wrap up the week we will upload our animations to YouTube to share with the world.
Presented by James Nuanez, Graphic Artist
Course open to students in grades 7-12.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

Introduction to Object Oriented Programming using Java
Monday- Friday, July 16-20, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

This workshop introduces object oriented programing development and design using Java. Students will learn basic programming language concepts including Java syntax, input/output, sequence, selection and iteration. Object oriented concepts will be introduced including Java classes that contain instance and local variables, constructors, methods and objects. Students will focus on algorithm development and problem solving skills using sound software engineering practices. This course will start with the very basics and assumes that students do not have any previous Java programming experience and does not require any other programming experience. This course will cover the fundamentals of the operative parts of Java and will introduce the basic programming concepts of Java programming.
Presented by Terrie Canon, Professor, Palomar College
Course open to students in grades 9-12.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

July 23-27, 2012

Modeling and Animation with Maya
Monday- Friday, July 23-27, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

This workshop is the perfect first step into Maya and the world of 3D animation. Learn how to make your way around this incredibly powerful software and see how you can use it as a tool in the process of creating your own video games. The first half of this workshop will take you through the basics of Maya. You will learn the essential tools that game designers use to create and animate their characters, objects, and worlds. In the second half you will create your own video game map in Maya, complete with textures and lighting. At the end you will get a preview of the Unreal Development Kit and see how this tool can be used to bring your map to life in a true video game environment.
Presented by James Nuanez, Freeland Artist
Course open to students in grades 9-12.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

July 30- August 3, 2012

Preparation for Computer Science 1: Alice™ for High School Students!
Monday- Friday, July 30- August 3, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

Alice allows students to learn fundamental programming concepts in the context of creating animated movies and simple video games. In Alice, 3-D objects (e.g., people, animals, and vehicles) populate a virtual world and students create a program to animate the objects. In Alice's interactive interface, students drag and drop graphic objects to create a program, where the instructions correspond to standard statements in a production oriented programming language, such as Java, C++, and C#. Alice allows students to immediately see how their animation programs run, enabling them to easily understand the relationship between the programming statements and the behavior of objects in their animation. By manipulating the objects in their virtual world, students gain experience with all the programming constructs typically taught in an introductory programming course. Topics will include learning about program design, object-oriented and event-driven programming, stepwise refinement, sequence, selection, iteration, using functions, and most importantly, problem solving skills critical to become a successful computer programmer.
Presented by Terrie Canon, Professor, Palomar College
Course open to students in grades 9-12.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

Our Planet Ocean: Exploring the Wild and Wondrous Waters of our Deep Oceans, Coastal Plains, and Sandy Beaches
Monday- Friday, July 30- August 3, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

Join us for this virtual workshop to explore the world’s oceans, inhabitants and processes. We will use free open source computer mapping software, ArcGIS Online, to explore geospatial data sets collected by real world scientists. In this class, more aptly called a “fun” shop than a workshop, we will create beautiful maps and explore the tallest mountains on Earth and the deepest canyons on the ocean sea floor. We will explore a sampling of current conservation projects, marine science research and physical oceanography processes that affect all of our daily lives. Each day will build on technical skills, with the week ending in a student created map gallery and presentation. Each student will build and collate a portfolio to take home and share with others. Students will be introduced to many of the basic techniques of computer mapping and learn how to query, arrange and visually manipulate geospatial data sets. By asking scientific questions, students will follow a wonderful path of discovery all about our great oceans, including the gentle giants that migrate along our coasts and across vast ocean basins, as well as a physical exploration of the ocean floor, deep submarine canyons and complex marine environments. We will explore deep water coral, coral reefs, hydrothermal vents, kelp forests, open oceans, seafloor communities, volcanoes, salt marshes and sandy shores.
Presented by Michelle Kinzel, Professor, Mesa College
Course open to students in grades 7-10.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

August 6-10, 2012

Intermediate Securing Computer Systems: Secure Your Computer Like a Pro!
Monday- Friday, August 6-10, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

In this course, students will build on their knowledge from the first class and learn how to find and fix vulnerabilities and detect intruders. This class is a combination of theory and hands on application, with more focus on applying hands on skills. Students will learn how to use vulnerability scanners, scripting tools and will install a network intrusion detection system. After participating in this course, the student will understand the fundamentals on how to secure an operating system. The student will also have secured a system and defended it from attack. The course will conclude with simulated network attacks from a red team that students will have to detect and respond thwart.
Presented by Chris Simpson, Instructor, San Diego Supercomputer Center, UCSD
Course open to students in grades 9-12.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

Extreme Weather: Learn What, How and Why Things Move, Bubble and Erupt on Planet Earth
Monday- Friday, August 6-10, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

Join us for this virtual workshop to explore the world’s volcanoes, trenches, fault lines and physical phenomenon. We will use free open source computer mapping software, ArcGIS Online, to explore geospatial datasets collected by real world scientists. In this class, more aptly called a “fun” shop than a workshop, we will create beautiful maps and explore the tallest mountains on Earth and the deepest canyons on the ocean sea floor. We will create visual displays of the patterns and processes of Extreme weather events that have occurred all around the world We will explore a sampling of Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Volcanic Eruptions, Tornado Alley in the US, Monsoons along the Equator, and Weather Phenomenon like El Nino and La Nina that affect all of our daily lives. Each day will build on technical skills, with the week ending in a student created map gallery and presentation. Each student will build and collate a portfolio to take home and share with others.
Presented by Michelle Kinzel, Professor, Mesa College
Course open to students in grades 7-10.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

Design and Program Your Very Own Video Game: Make Your Ideas a Reality!
Monday- Friday, August 6-10, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

Created by research scientist at Apple, Stagecast Creator is an easy-to-learn, easy-to-use software tool for making your own games and simulations. Starting with a blank stage, simply add a cast of characters using the included picture painter or imported graphics, then move the characters around to generate rules of behavior completely visually. Without using a traditional programming language, you can easily create games or simulations and then share them with friends at home or on the Internet. This class is a perfect introduction to game design for those with no computer programming experience to create a standalone game that can be played by countless others on the web. Ray Kinne has taught video game programming for the last 15 years for San Diego City Schools and SDSU. It is a passion of his that is infectious.
Presented by Ray Kinne, San Diego Unified School District
Course open to students in grades 7-10.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

August 13-17, 2012

App Inventor: Learn to Program Android Phone Applications!
Monday- Wednesday, August 13-15, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

App Inventor for Android is a programming tool that makes it easy for anyone — programmers and non-programmers, adults and kids — to create mobile applications for the Android phone. Mobile applications are triggering a fundamental shift in the way people experience computing. Ten years ago, people "went to the computer" to perform tasks and access the Internet, and they used cell phones only to make calls. Today, smartphones have become computers in our pockets, serving our communication and information needs and making the web part of all that we do. Ten years ago, people’s use of computing was largely dissociated from real life. Today, with the ubiquity of social networking and pervasive communication, online and offline life are becoming fused. App Inventor is motivated by the vision that all of us should be able to create mobile applications rather than just consume them — with “tinkerable” platforms that we can control and reshape.
Presented by Ray Kinne, San Diego Unified School District
Course open to students in grades 7-10.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

Coding Basics Using Processing: Learn the Basics of Computer Programming to Create Images, Animations and Interactions
Thursday-Friday, August 16-17, 2012 – 8:30am - 3:00pm

Processing is an open source programming language and environment for people who want to create images, animations, and interactions. Initially developed to serve as a software sketchbook and to teach fundamentals of computer programming within a visual context, Processing also has evolved into a tool for generating finished professional work. Today, there are tens of thousands of students, artists, designers, researchers, and hobbyists who use Processing for learning, prototyping, and production. You are invited to join the revolution as we learn skills for the 21st century. Processing is a free, open source alternative to proprietary software tools with expensive licenses, making it accessible to schools and individual students. Its open source status encourages the community participation and collaboration that is vital to Processing's growth. Over the course of the class you will learn the basics of object orientated programming in a visual and exciting way, paving the way for start as a computer programmer.
Presented by Ray Kinne, San Diego Unified School District
Course open to students in grades 7-10.
Download Complete Workshop Information and an Application

Questions?

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Ange Mason, SDSC Education and Outreach, via phone at 858 534-5064 or email at amason@ucsd.edu