SuperQuest 2016: Salem

SuperQuest 2016@Salem
June 27 – 29 (3 days)
West Salem High School
1776 Titan Drive NW
Salem, OR 97304

Registration fee: Free. Includes 3 days of instruction, breakfast and lunch.

Questions? Contact Greg Smith, SMITH_GREG@salkeiz.k12.or.us

Schedule
8:30a-9:00a Registration & Breakfast
9:00-12:00 Morning Session
12:00-1:30p Lunch-n-Learn
Keynote Speaker TBD!
1:30-4:30p Afternoon Session

Curriculum
3-Day Courses (select 1)

Agile Development
Pete Steinfeld, IBM

Learn how the pros develop software. Agile Development is a technique for enabling teams to produce high quality products that meet customer demands in a fixed amount of time. It is the most widely used software development methodology in the software industry. We will cover the essential aspects of Agile Development including customer collaboration, requirements analysis, team roles, self-organizing teams, work tracking, iterative development, usability testing, scrum meetings, retrospectives, and agile planning. We will provide examples of using Agile Development for a team of high school students competing in the Oregon Games Project Challenge. We will also cover an overview of some software tools to help with Agile Development.

Teaching Computational Thinking
Becka Morgan, Western Oregon University

Computational thinking – the logic of algorithms – is the heart of computer science and an essential skill for the 21st century. We will look at ways to expose non-coders to the beauty of algorithms and computer science and to broaden the perspective of students who already know how to code. Walk away with lessons that teach students about the algorithms that shape modern life and get hands on experience with a visual programming system that allows students to focus on learning logic instead of syntax. This curriculum is directly applicable to teaching dual-credit CS160 through Willamette Promise or the new APCS-Principles course. No programming experience needed.

VEX Robotics
Greg Smith, Educator

Whether coaching a competitive VEX Robotics team or looking to incorporate a cost effective robotics platform into your in school or afterschool program this session is for you. This is a ’hands-on’ workshop where participants will get firsthand experience designing, building, driving and programming a robot using the VEX platform.  Participants will use the VEX ‘Virtual Worlds’ as well as the physical VEX kit to complete challenges that will build your confidence and ability. For the high fliers we will have a complete VEX  Robotics Competition (VRC) field for you to experience what competitive teams will face this fall.  Bring your own VEX Kit if you have one.  There will be a limited number of VEX kits available at the event.  Be sure to sign up and bring a friend.

Greg Smith is a veteran FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) coach and is currently the commissioner for VEX Robotics Competitions in Oregon.