Connecting With Tech!

Yes, attitude is everything. And technology really is all about people connecting and communicating. When you capture the excitement and power of people, you exponentially increase the likelihood that we will use the technology! But there are just a few ...

ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS THAT NEED TO BE IN PLACE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN:
• The Research & Trends
• The Computers
• Good Content
• Appropriate Learning Environment
• Technology Support and Assistance
• Educational Support and Teaching Assistance
  

and to assist you in that process, we have developed
SAMPLE ACTIVITIES, LESSON PLANS AND KITS INTEGRATING
COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND THE INTERNET INTO CHILD AND YOUTH PROGRAMS:
(Level 1 = K-3rd grade, Level 2 = 3 - 5 grade, Level 3 = 5 - 8th grade, Level 4 = 9th - 12th grade and adult; Level * = intended for Intergenerational use)
• The Amazing Human Machine
  Level 2
  You are miles of blood vessels, billions of cells, hundreds of muscles, and quarts of blood. You are a finely tuned organism with more living parts than New York City. Discover the amazing human machine that is you!

• The Big Picture of History
  Level 3, 4
  Do you have what it takes guide a civilization from the stone-age to the space age? Get the big picture of history by guiding your computer civilization and doing related activities.

• Biotechnology and the Environment
  Level 3
  Use the artificial life laboratory/playground of SimLife to explore environments, biotechnology, ecosystems, and life. How successful can you be in creating your own world?

• Corn, Glorious Corn!
  Level 1
  Play computer games about corn and generate interest in nutrition, gardening, diversity, genetics and of course--corn!

• Create, Play & Explore
  Level 1, 2, 3
  Create your own coloring book and color it on-line! Bring your art to life using a palette of tools and effects when you draw, paint or make musical animations. Graphic artist tools you can experiment with include the usual art tools like brushes, paints, chalk, colored pencils and markers. But you can also try the sticker and stencils, spray can of colors, animated icons, and colored popcorn.

• Detecting Skills
  Level 3
  Can you solve the mystery? Try out your "who-done-it" skills and to see if you will be awarded your detective badge.

• Farming is Big Business
  Level 3, 4
  Let a game about farming teach agriculture concepts, vocabulary, and interest.

• Flying Things
  Level 3
  Up, up and away to explore the science of flight. From designing paper airplanes to flight simulators these activities will take your youth into the skies.

• Fun With Animals
  Level 1, 2
  Learn about animals great and small, wild and domesticated. Discover how to care for pets and how to treat wild animals. Learn about endangered species and habitats as well as building specific science, math, language, organization, and life skills.

• Galleries of Fun
  Level 1, 2, 3
  Have you ever visited an art gallery? Have you seen paintings by Monet, Picasso or da Vinci? Create your own masterpiece by using software such as Jump Start Artist. View and create your own gallery with With Open Eyes software, while also learning interesting facts and information about the great masters. The opportunities to paint, draw and exhibit your own art masterpieces and others artwork are limitless for kindergarteners through adults.

• Imagination on the Go
  Level 1, 2, 3
  Happy Birthday to you! Create birthday invitations and invite your friends over to celebrate with you. Use the computer to draw, paint, color and add clip art to cards, banners, flyers and more. You can even animate your card and send it by email with the Kid Pix software program. Designed for Kindergarten through sixth grade.

• Island Drawing & Storytelling
  Level 1, 2, 3
  Stories, stories, stories! Create and illustrate your own story while learning about Island culture. Software such as Orly's Draw-A-Story, Story Book Weaver and Creative Writer 2 encourage children to create their " story" while sharing their own ideas and perceptions of the world.

• Making the Point (Electronic Screen Presentation)
  Level 3, 4
  Why should busines people have all the fun? Powerful presentation software can be used for kids and community sites to tell their story--and have great fun while they do it.

• Mission to Mars
  Level 3
  You are a member of the mission team of the first humans to inhabit Mars. How will you survive? See if your planning skills can meet the challenge!

• Preparing for a Food Fund Raiser
  Level *
  Many organizations raise money with food stands. Teach young workers and add educational value to these fun activities with business simulation games and related activities.

• A Vacation in the Solar System
  Level 1, 2
  You're going on a vacation to another planet in the solar system! Which planet will you choose? What will you need to pack in your suitcase for the trip? What will you see when you arrive? Bon Voyage!

• You Make the Decision!
  Level 3
  Organize the Fripple House! Have fun with several activities designed to increase skills in: Problem Solving, Reasoning, Communication, patterns and Functions, Connections, Algebra, Geometry.