schools programme - computerxplorers

preparing children for the future

Schools Programme


Video Game Design ... Page 4

Programming with Scratch ... Page 4

Programming with Kodu ... Page 4

Website Design ... Page 4

Cartoon Creation ... Page 5

Stop Motion Animation ... Page 5

Facial Animation ... Page 5

3D Multimedia madness with CGI ... Page 5

Renewable Energy Engineering ... Page 6

Lego Robotics ... Page 6

Makey Makey Invention ... Page 6

Forensic Science CSI ... Page 6

MinecraftEdu ... Page 7

News Maker ... Page 7

Comic Book Heroes ... Page 7

Music Technology ... Page 7

Table of Contents

3D Modelling and CAD ... Page 8

App Camp ... Page 8

E-safety & Social media ... Page 8

Other workshops ... Page 8

CPD ... Page 9

Why you should book ... Page 10

Coding and Programming

Animation and design

Science and Engineering

Creative Media

Technology and other workshops

About us ... Page 1

Workshops Overview ...

Curriculum Topic Ideas ... Page 3

ComputerXplorers is a company with over 25 years experience in bringing computer

technology education into schools. We offer workshops in everything from programming

and animation to Lego robotics and crime scene investigation. We are specialists in

technology education for primary school age children. It’s what we do.

About Us

What else do we do?

In addition to school workshops,

ComputerXplorers also run after school

clubs, nursery classes and summer camps.

Our creative curriculum engages children in

hands-on technology activities that

promote problem-solving and teamwork

and encourage e-confidence in children in

an age when computers and technology

are essential life skills.


Technology in the classroom,

ComputerXplorers’ workshops help you to

meet Curriculum for Excellence standards,

not only in ICT but also in science,

engineering, maths, language and literacy.

We do this by providing structured lessons

using leading educational technology

programs to develop skills, knowledge and

critical thinking.

We Provide

Technology instructors

On site workshops

Technology peripherals

Our Goal

To help children discover their

own technology and computer

skills through exploration

The courses offered to pupils are tailored to their needs and interests and delivered by a highly professional team.

... Carmyle Primary HT

www.sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk

Our Workshops

We offer Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Workshops across a broad range of

technologies and across all year groups in a format to suit you from Primary 1

onwards.

Our workshops are versatile and can be adapted to complement a wide variety of

curriculum areas. For example our TV Production workshop could be used to support

a school’s work on World War 2 or how about designing a website about the Vikings

and perhaps a stop motion animation of the lunar landing with Neil Armstrong

descending a ladder to become the first human to step onto the surface of the Moon!

Workshops can be combined and run as a one day workshop or as individual

workshops of 1.5 hours for each year group*

A maximum of 33 pupils in each workshop.

Our workshops are flexible and can also incorporate full/half day sessions or

weekly sessions throughout the year.

We can also work together on transition days, theme days or as part of

education initiatives such as Science and Engineering Week *Please note some workshops can only be run as a full day workshop and typically a max class size of 33 applies. Please contact us for further information.

Very successful and a huge hit with my P6 pupils. The feedback was so positive we arranged further workshops.

Dalry Primary


Full day

Half day

Mini sessions (1.5hrs)

Block bookings

STEM packages

Weekly sessions

The majority of our workshops are designed to be flexible with respect to the core subject

matter. Common topics such as Space, the Romans, World War 2, Renewable Energy

engineering amongst many others, can be covered by innovative use of technologies to

enhance learning in creative ways.

Pupils produce, direct and star in news reports based on historic events e.g. WW2

Create a stop motion animation of the conquest of the Roman Empire or Egyptians

Use facial animation and have Queen Victoria tell the story of her time on the throne.

Integration of technology and curriculum topics

DYNAMIC WORKSHOPS

Video Game Design - An Introduction

Students as young as 5 years old can create their own

games in this exciting workshop! Choose your storyline with

fairy princesses, dragons, or wild wacky aliens. This

workshop will introduce young learners to computer game

design as it allows them to be creative and successful right

from the start without having to deal with computer code. It

means they can focus on the purpose of the game or

activity they are creating.

Students will design and build their own websites in this

creative, high tech programme. Create the perfect look and

feel for the chosen topic; research and write the content to

communicate; pack it full of the latest multi-media features.

Creativity and technology make for a powerful combination

in this flexible workshop as the focus of the website can be

adapted as a way of reinforcing key curriculum topics.

Website Design

P1 - P3

Curriculum for Excellence Technologies: Computing

science context for developing

technological skills and knowledge

Curriculum for Excellence

Technologies: Computing



Programming with Scratch

Students will learn how to program their own Video Game

using Scratch — the innovative programming language

created for young gamers by MIT.

Students learn to code and program and to select, create

and manage multiple forms of media, including text,

images, animation and audio recordings.

P4 - P7





Programming with Kodu

Use an Xbox controller to create your own video game.

Programs will be created on the PC allowing rapid design

iteration. Students will use a graphical programming

environment to design and build games. They will then create

a range of terrains, worlds and characters, controlling the

characters’ movement, sound and vision using an intuitive

icon-based programming language.





Codin

g a

nd P

rogra

mm

ing

P4 - P7

P4 - P7


Technologies: ICT to enhance

learning (TCH 1-04a/TCH 2-

04a/TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b)

Cartoon Creation

Students will create their own world of monsters and aliens

in this great new animation workshop. Children will quickly

get to grips with this simple to use, new take on animation.

Create their own unique characters, use speech bubbles or

record an audio track to tell their story.

Children can use images from the school or even themes/

topics and incorporate them into the animation.

Students will produce their very own stop motion animation

from story boarding, making the characters and sets to

editing and post production! This course will spark their

imagination and give them tools to bring their ideas to life.

This versatile workshop can be adapted to complement a

wide variety of curriculum areas. Students improve their

literacy, communication and technology skills while mastering

or reinforcing content in any subject area.

Stop Motion Animation

P1 - P4




04a/TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b)

Words only account for 7% of our communication – see

what the children can do with the other 93% in this fun-filled

workshop!

Using state of the art software students will learn key skills in

facial animation to turn any image into the most lifelike

animation. Pictures of historical characters, animals (or even

inanimate objects!) are brought to life to tell their version of

events. While bringing their characters to life they give new

life to key areas of the curriculum.

Facial Animation




04a/TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b)

Use your creativity to explain the world! Explore the depths of

the ocean in 3D, the far reaches of outer space, the Egyptian

pyramids or even a fantasy world! Your imagination is your

only limitation! Tell stories, create images, use animation and

add sound effects.

By the end of this course students will have unleashed their

creative side and created their very own animation!

3D Multimedia madness with CGI



learning (TCH 1-04a/TCH 2-04a/

TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b)

P1 - P3

Anim

ation a

nd D

esi

gn

P4 - P7

P4 - P7

P4 - P7


Technologies: Technological

developments in society,

Science: Energy sources and

sustainability/Earth’s Materials

Renewable Energy Engineering

This workshop is the perfect way to get children hands-on

with a variety of sustainable, renewable and alternative forms

of energy. Combining junior engineering skills with Lego to

allow children to understand the renewable energy solutions.

Building wind turbines and Solar cell vehicles will reinforce the

concept of renewable energy.

Our acclaimed ComputerXplorers Renewable Energy

Workshop is the perfect way to energise your classroom and

spark the imagination in this key area.

Crime Scene Investigation: Use your logic, senses and

forensic science to solve crimes. Learn how to work the field

scene and laboratory end of CSI using digital microscopes.

From fingerprinting and hair analysis to recreating facial photo

fits, using the latest software. No blood, no gore, but plenty of

fun. Will you be able to solve the crime?

A great introduction to forensic science and the perfect

complement to the science curriculum

Forensic Science C.S.I.

Curriculum for Excellence Technologies: Craft, design,

engineering and graphics contexts

for developing skills and

knowledge

P1- P3

Children will learn about electricity, conductors and insulators

while fabricating unique computer controllers from seemingly

unlikely materials. In this exciting workshop children will

create computer controllers from everyday items. Any

material that will conduct from Play-Doh to pencils, from

grapes to grownups! An incredible introduction to circuits and

controls

Makey Makey Invention




knowledge (Sciences: Electricity)

Using the latest Lego robotics technology to build and

program amazing creatures that can move using motors,

gears and wheels. Students will learn how to program

sensors to make the robot react to its surroundings. Program

robot birds to chirp, crocodiles to snap and plane engines to

rev! This workshop is great fun and ideal for nurturing and

enhancing STEM skills

Lego Robotics




knowledge

P1- P3

Sci

ence

and E

ngin

eering

P4 - P7

P4 - P7

P4 - P7

P4 - P7



learning

MinecraftEdu

SurvivalCraft - our new game-based learning programme

uses MinecraftEdu (a version of Minecraft) as both a game

and a collaborative creative tool. There are three main

elements: Mining, Crafting and Creation. Players are

encouraged to work in small teams and as a larger group to

complete a series of tasks. Each task creates curriculum

learning opportunities such as Mathematics, Literacy, History

and Geography throughout. The main aim of the course is to

combine fun with educational development.

Pupils become the newsreader, reporter or producer of a

news, weather, sports or cookery programme. A unique

opportunity for students to learn how to produce their own

television programme on any topic including devising the

format, writing the scripts, recording video clips with the help

of an auto-cue and special effects. Students will also learn

post production techniques such as video material, music,

titles and credits. From The Romans to World War 2 – talk to

us further about how to adapt this workshop to your own

topics and themes.

TV Production

P2 - P3

Curriculum for Excellence Technologies: ICT to enhance


04a/TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b)

Transform yourself into an environmental superhero and help

solve one of the earth’s biggest problems from water

shortages to energy crises.

Using innovative comic book software, digital art and your

own photographs to illustrate your very own comic book. Be

creative; be inspired; be a superhero!

This workshop can be adapted to many key areas of the

curriculum.

Comic Book Heroes



04a/TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b)

Whether it’s the first step in the School of Rock or a

symphony for the school play anything’s possible with music

technology. Pupils use virtual instruments and sound effects

to create their personal sound track. Drag and drop music

loops to combine with drum/bass or hip-hop; sequence,

explore rhythms and tempo; get to grips with riffs and hooks

to make the best chorus and bridge. An excellent combination

of creativity and technology to encourage personal

expression.

Music Technology




knowledge (Sciences: Electricity)

Cre

ative

Media

P4 - P7

P4 - P7

P4 - P7

P4 - P7

In this practical workshop students will gain a better

understanding of the risks they face online and how they can

manage these risks responsibly.

Topics covered include

Responsible use of the internet and mobile technology

Using email safely

Social Media - chatting with care

E-Safety and Social Media

Curriculum for Excellence Technologies: Computing



P1 - P7

ComputerXplorers offers a wide variety of workshops that can

be easily adapted to suit you and your school. As well as

developing core computing skills our flexible workshops can

be adapted to reinforce key areas of the curriculum from

World War 2 to electricity and rainforests.

Contact us for further information.

Other Workshops P1 - P7

Curriculum for Excellence Dependant on workshop

selected

Tech

nolo

gy

and o

ther

work

shops

Students will learn how to create their own mobile phone app

in this exciting workshop.

Students will gain hands-on experience building multiple

applications with the benefits of step by step instructions and

explanations of the scripts they are writing.

App Camp



04a/TCH 1-04b/TCH 2-04b)

P4 - P7

During this workshop students will become virtual

archaeologists, create their own 3D games and transform a

three-dimensional neighbourhood before placing it into

Google Earth! We will use SketchUp 3D modelling and the

student’s imagination to explore a range of concepts and

ideas using simulations, culture and regeneration.

Learn all about 3D computer aided design, perspective,

maths skills, creativity and problem solving in this unique

workshop!

3D Modelling & C.A.D.




knowledge

P4 - P7


ComputerXplorers provides in-school CPD sessions for teachers

at a time and date that suits you.

Bespoke CPD quotes provided on request.

This course will overview effective ways of using interactive

whiteboards in the classroom. The focus of use will be on

ways of using IWBs to promote active learning and to allow

pupils to access information in different ways. This session

will include practical exercises and resources to extend

learning.

Effective use of interactive whiteboard technologies

Interactive presentation of activities and ideas for effective

iPad use in the classroom. Includes an overview of an array

of iPad apps which bring unique and engaging learning

experiences to the pupils. Links to all the apps used for this

session will also be circulated.

iPads in the classroom

We provide courses that enable the participants to create

general presentations, word documents and excel

spreadsheets as well as better teaching tools for their

classrooms. The course content includes hands-on practical

applications for the participants.

Office Docs: PowerPoint, Word and Excel

We will explore programming software such as Scratch to

teach basic programming techniques as well as exploring

how these techniques can be applied in the classroom.

An Introduction to Programming

Aligned to the Curriculum for Excellence

Age-appropriate software and exciting peripherals

One stop shop programme ... we come to you

Hands -on and interactive experience

Workshops led by specially trained instructors

Programmes which inspire, engage and are FUN


ComputerXplorers SE Scotland

57 West Holmes Garden

Musselburgh, EH21 6QJ

Tel: 0131 6530580

Email:

[email protected]

www.sescotland.computerxplorers.co.uk

Learning through technology has been proven to

engage pupils and stimulate learning in education. Our

workshops are designed to bring life to Science and

Technology within the classroom. It is crucial that we

prepare our children for a technology led future.

... Steve Jobs, The Lost Interview

I think everyone in this country should learn how to

program a computer because it teaches you how to think

schools programme - computerxplorers

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