SIGCS
SIGCS, the Special Interest Group for Computer Science, provides a forum for MACUL members interested in computer programing. Through the listserv and two to three workshops per year, members discuss and experience computer science topics. The SIG also plays a role in the development of requirements for computer science teachers. A special topic for SIGCS is the Advanced Placement test in Computer Science. Members regularly share information about course content and AP workshops.
Join the MACUL SIG_CS Group:
- From our our Google Group, we can share information about events, job postings, and hold meaningful discussions with like-minded individuals. Let's start the dialog!!! To subscribe to the group, send a requesting E-Mail message to: Zenia Bahorski at zbahorski@gmail.com and she will send you the link to the group.
- Once you have successfully subscribed, you will gain access to the postings and discussions.
Announcing: Pre-Con Scholarships!
2012 MACUL Pre-Conference Workshop Scholarships!
Want to come to one of our Pre-Cons for free?
Our SIG is giving away scholarships for two of our Pre-Con sessions on March 7 at the 2012 MACUL Conference in Grand Rapids:
There is one scholarship available for the morning session and one for an afternoon session.
- SIGCS 1: Python Programming, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- SIGCS 3: Scratch Purposeful/Accidental Computing Edification (SPACE) 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
If you would like to apply for one of these scholarships, please email the information requested by Friday, February 10, 2012 at 5:00 PM to Zenia Bahorski at zbahorski@gmail.com. All who apply will be notified by email by February 15, 2012.
Please provide the following information:
- Name
- Email address
- School name and address
- Your job title
- Which session(s) of those listed above would you like to attend? (Which would you prefer if you apply for more than one?)
- Why do you wish to attend this session? Tell us why you are interested in this type of programming and how you may plan to apply it at your school.
- Would you be able to attend this session if you are not the winner of the scholarship?
- Any other information you think we should know (to convince us to choose you!)
The text of your submission will remain confidential.
Upcoming Events:
for 2011/2012 School Year: (See Descriptions Below)
- MACUL Pre-Conference Sessions - Wednesday, March 7, 2012
- SIG CS Annual Meeting - Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 12:00 PM
SIGCS 1: Python Programming
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM ? DeVos Place
Pamela Moore, Instructor, Eastern Michigan University and Zenia Bahorski, Assistant Professor, Eastern Michigan University
One of the new programming languages sweeping both education and practice is
Python. This language is very intuitive while still being quite powerful. Python is the
perfect vehicle to teach programming in the secondary school before tackling Java. It
has the added advantage of being freely available for both Mac and PC platforms. This
session will instruct how to create Python programs that can be used for general
programming and scripting. Participants will receive a flash drive with all needed files
pre-loaded. The workshop presupposes no familiarity with programming, but it would be
helpful.
SIGCS 2: Graphical Java Programming
1:00 – 4:30 PM ? DeVos Place
Susan Haynes, Professor, Eastern Michigan University
Today’s students have grown up in the graphics-rich environment of the web. Many
students find text-based programming exercises boring. This session will instruct how to
create Java programs that generate exciting graphical output and provide a graphical
user interface (GUI) using buttons, scroll bars, and text boxes. We will cover the eventdriven
programming paradigm, explore graphical primitives (drawing lines, circles,
rectangles), and create an applet featuring a GUI-controlled animation. The course
presupposes familiarity with basic Java concepts such as methods, classes, and
instance data, and how to compile and execute Java programs.
SIGCS 3: Scratch Purposeful/Accidental Computing Edification (SPACE)
1:00 – 4:30 PM ? DeVos Place
Barry Webster, Computer Science Head, Detroit Country Day School
The session discusses developing Scratch constructs and purposeful computer science
(CS) activities and concepts. Included are ways to help you and your students have an
enjoyable introduction to programming through Scratch, produce multimedia through
programming, and experience CS concepts. We want students to identify reasons CS is
important to learn, and have early and continued success with CS. The session is
computing edification for middle school and high school educators (and others). Bring
your own computer, with Scratch installed (http://scratch.mit.edu).
Previous Events:
THIRD annual programming competition - nov. 19, 2011
Third Annual Programming Competition (Presented by SIGCS and The Department of Computer Science at Eastern Michigan University)
Students will be given experience of competing with other high schools in Michigan. This is an open competition where all high school students are invited to participate: In previous years, we have had BOTH first year programmers and second year programmers who have benefitted from the competition.
Teams compete in groups of two to three members. Each team is given a set of programs to complete in a three-hour time period.
DATE of Competition: November 19, 2011
TIME: 9:15 AM for checking in and networking! (Competition will start promptly at 10:00 AM)
PLACE: Eastern Michigan University. Contact Pamela Moore for exact location.
COST per team: FREE per team if preregistered by 11:59 PM on November 1 OR $10.00 per team if preregistered by November 15. ALL Teams must be pre-registered. We will not be able to register teams at the door as space may be limited.
General Information to keep in mind for the competition:
- Each high school can bring any number of teams. Maximum of 3 students per team.
- Each team will have one computer and some workspace.
- There will be 6 problems to solve of increasing difficulty.
- Accuracy of results and time to finish will determine scoring.
- Students will have 3 hours to complete as many problems as possible.
- We will have 5 placements with ribbons and certificates of participation for all.
- Lunch will be provided.
CONTACT: Pamela Moore at Pamela.Moore@emich.edu for more information about the competition.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011: MACUL Conference - Pre-Conference Workshop Information:
SIGCS 1: Introduction to Robotics Teacher Workshop
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM • Pierce Middle School
Bonnie Middeldorf, Lego Education Consultant and Retired Teacher, Grosse Pointe Public Schools
--Since you are reading this description you are either an owner of a Lego NXT robotics kit or are interested in the robotics kit and what can be done with it. The Lego Mindstorms Education set, software, and activities that will be shared during this workshop will train you to use these powerful tools to convert your classroom into a hands-on robotics laboratory. You will program real-life mechanisms with sensors for sensing and controlling and use creative logic and problem solving skills to meet challenges while targeting necessary science, technology, engineering, and math STEM concepts. Don’t miss this hands-on workshop which is guaranteed to impact learning in your classroom.
SIGCS 2: Intro to Python Programming
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM • Wayne State University, Room 30 of the School of Education Building - Parking passes will be provided to workshop registrants upon arrival at Parking Lot 31 off Palmer Ave.
Pamela Moore, Instructor, and Zenia Bahorski, Assistant Professor, Eastern Michigan University
--One of the new programming languages sweeping both education and practice is Python. This language is very intuitive while still being quite powerful. Python would be the perfect vehicle to teach programming in the secondary school before tackling Java. It has the added advantage of being freely available for both Mac and PC platforms. This session will instruct participants in how to create Python programs that can be used for general programming and scripting. Participants will receive a flash drive with all needed files pre-loaded. The course presupposes no familiarity with programming, but it would be helpful.
SIGCS 3: Graphical Java Programming
1:00 – 4:30 PM • Wayne State University, Room 30 of the School of Education Building - Parking passes will be provided to workshop registrants upon arrival at Parking Lot 31 off Palmer Ave. Susan Haynes, Professor, Eastern Michigan University
--Today’s students have grown up in the graphics-rich environment of the web. Many students find old-fashioned, text-based programming exercises to be boring. This session will instruct participants in how to create Java programs that generate exciting graphical output and that provide a graphical user interface (GUI) using components such as buttons, scroll bars, text boxes, etc. We will cover the event-driven programming paradigm, explore graphical primitives (drawing lines, circles, rectangles, etc.), and finish with the creation of an applet featuring a GUI-controlled animation. The course presupposes familiarity with basic Java concepts such as methods, classes, and instance data, and how to compile and execute Java programs.
SIGCS Goals and Vision:
SIGCS Goals:
- Support teachers in their teaching of computer languages including those used in robotics
- Provide workshops and events at sites across the state
- Continue a dialogue on the computer science curriculum across grade levels, from K - higher education
- Maintain a good working relationship with MiCSTA - the Michigan chapter of CSTA (Computer Science Teachers Association)
- Make an effort to provide workshops for programming in Java, to support our colleagues' need to shift their teaching to Java for the Advance Placement exam
- Increase student interest in computer science
- Share project ideas and methods for teaching computer science
- Initiate a dialog with state government to support and advance computer science teaching in Michigan
SIGCS Will Support:
- educators who are interested or involved in teaching what is referred to as Computer Science (e.g.: computer programming, hardware technology, system or software maintenance and upgrading, software design, et cetera).
SIGCS Will Specifically:
- collect and disseminate information through publications and available electronic communications networks.
- sponsor meetings, conferences, and workshops.
- organize working groups for research, study, and the development of Computer Science projects to meet the needs of SigCS’s membership.
- encourage the adoption and use of a set or sets of standards of good practice, emulating such standards as are adopted in the industry and the collegiate academic community
Join the MACUL SIG_CS Group:
- From our our Google Group, we can share information about events, job postings, and hold meaningful discussions with like-minded individuals. Let's start the dialog!!! To subscribe to the group, send an E-Mail message to: SIG_CS subscribe@googlegroups.com
- Once you have successfully subscribed, you will gain access to the postings and discussions.
SIGCS Links of Interest:
The following are helpful links to various Computer Science topics.
Other suggestions are we
lcome; Please email Zenia Bahorski at: zbahorski@emich.edu
Computer Organizations...
Helpful Links for AP‘ Computer Science...
IDE (Compilers) for Java: The Language Itself (check under Top Downloads)...
Useful Tutorials and Other Sites (Check under Learning Java and Java Tutorial)...
Computer Contests...
Robotics Sites...
