Workshops | 5th-7th Grade Workshops

Creative Coding with Processing

Have you ever wondered how computers work? Explore computer programming with Processing: a free Java-based program for creating visual art with computer code. Students will learn how to understand basic object oriented code and learn the beginnings of making a game. At the end of two weeks, students will be able to read and write code, create simple game AI, and make games using Processing. At home (with your parents' permission) you can even download and continue working with Processing on your own!

Digital Artistry 5-6

Quick! Name your favorite video game! Why do you love that game? Is it the music, the game play, the interface? If you said it's all about the art style, then this is the workshop for you!

In this workshop, students will design the artwork for their own game. We will learn about character designs and backgrounds, and look at the history of video game art. Using a variety of techniques in Adobe Photoshop, students will create their own unique characters and a wild world for them to play in. Once our artwork is complete, we will take it into Adobe Flash, and animate it. We'll even do a few super-simple programming exercises to control our animations.

By the end of the two weeks, students will have their own animated creation that will be displayed on the web. More importantly, students will leave with enough knowledge to continue creating their own digital art projects.

Web Design and Development

The internet is a tool used in daily life that has just about reached the level of "second nature" for many people. Whether you're viewing it from a tablet, game console, home computer, or whatever device tomorrow brings, someone's creative mind was at work behind it all! Have you ever wanted to learn just how a website is made? Here you'll learn how to create your very own website, how to maintain and update it, how to make it look picture-perfect, and pick up a few scripting tricks to really "wow" your viewers. The web design field is ever changing, so there's always something new to learn!