August 1 - 5, 2011
SuperQuest Summer Institute
Oregon State University
The Kelley Engineering Center (Directions)
Corvallis, OR

Once again, Western Oregon University will be providing extended program credits for SuperQuest this summer.

This year's Summer Institute will include both a focus day on CS4HS as well as a four-day training in a specific course of study. The Monday day-long Computer Science for High School (CS4HS) will offer several workshops to choose from in three separate sessions. The day will start with a keynote on CS4HS, and end with a reception.

What is CS4HS?

CS4HS (Computer Science for High School) is a workshop sponsored by Google to promote Computer Science in high school curriculum (although it can also be applied to K-8).  It provides resources that help teach computer science principles to students in a fun and relevant way. 

CS4HS Agenda for Monday August 1

• 8:45-9:15 am: Registration Check-In and Continental Breakfast
• 9:15-10:15 am: Welcome and Keynote
• 10:30-11:45 am; 1-2:15 pm; 2:30-3:45 pm: Workshops (select one from 5-7 repeating options)
• 11:45 am to 1 pm: Lunch (provided)
• 4-5:30 pm: Reception

Are Graduate Credits Available?

All participants will be eligible to apply for graduate credits from Western Oregon University for $50 per credit. The course offerings qualify for up to two credits. Some supplemental work outside of class time may be required. Please visit the Division of Extended Programs at Western Oregon University for more information about credits and to download an application.

What Does it Cost to Attend?

Thanks to support from Google, Intel, and ETIC, we are able to offer greatly reduced conference fees which include on-campus housing and two meals per day. Sign up between now and July 27 for $50; after July 27, registration is $60 at the door. We will once again be offering Professional Development Unit certificates as well as Oregon continuing education credit or Washington clock hours certification.

Available Workshops

The following four-day courses will be offered Tuesday through Friday.

Scratch Programming for K-5 Grades

Instructor: Emma Dugan
Would you like to wrap math, reading, writing, music, art, game making and critical thinking all into easy lessons that will bring exclamations of delight from your students? This class about Scratch Computer Programming will empower your students and their learning though presentations geared specifically for K-5 Teachers. But if you are new to Scratch and teach grades 6 - 12 this is a great introduction and you will be able to easily adapt/create lessons for your grade level. You will leave the workshop with "copy ready" handouts as well as some detailed lessons and resources for use right away. Guaranteed to be Fun! If you took this workshop in the spring - sign up again because with 3 additional days you will really start mastering all the components.

The instructor has 30 years of experience, teaching at all levels - Kindergarten through Adult.

Web Design From Soup to Nuts: Develop Your Own WordPress Site

Instructor: Chris Winikka
Are you interested in finally starting your own blog or website for yourself, a client, your school, or your class? Are you interested in moving beyond simple web page design and get under the hood of a database-driven, dynamic website? In this course, you will create, install, and better yet, modify a WordPress web site or blog. We'll dissect a WordPress site, craft or modify our own theme for the site using HTML, PHP, digital images, and CSS. Participants are encouraged to set their own pace and discovery level to match their own personal goals and expectations. As a bonus, you'll learn how you can set up a test site onto a flash USB device for those teachers whose students access to blogging software is locked down

Lego Robotics and FLL

Instructor: Dale Yocum
This self-paced class is perfect preparation for coaching an FLL team or for bringing engineering and programming into the classroom. Everyone, from the complete beginner to veterans, will get something out of this course. Using the graphical NXT-G language, we will focus on the use of Lego robotics for students in grades 4-9 (roughly the ages where they are eligible for FIRST Lego League.) Expect a robust exchange of ideas among the teachers and coaches in the class. All participants will walk away with the resources and new contacts in the robotics community. This class is led by Dale Yocum, Robotics Program Director at Catlin Gabel School. Dale has led Lego Robotics courses for 12 years and is the author of the popular on-line NXT Tutorial.

RobotC, Tetrix and FTC

Instructors: Don Domes and Dale Jordan
In grades 8-12, the Lego NXT computer combined with the Tetrix mechanical system can be a potent combination. This is a great next step for older students after they’ve mastered Lego Robotics (above) or for high school students starting out fresh. Use the skills learned in this class to coach a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team or to run your own high school robotics unit. This class will give you a solid footing in how to program using the RobotC language and an understanding of common building techniques. Alternatively, high school teachers could also use RobotC with the Lego NXT system to create a strong introduction to programming class. This course is led by Don Domes and Dale Jordan, both are highly experienced FTC coaches with experience at nationals. Don has lead robotics courses at his high school for 11 years.

Teaching Video Game Design through Game Maker

Instructor: Jason Galbraith
Teaching video game creation is a wonderful way to sneak in some solid computer science, mathematics, and design concepts while fooling your students into thinking this is the most fun class in school. This class will include how to use Game Maker for basic and advanced users and also demonstrate how to teach a class which has multiple levels of students simultaneously. All levels of programming ability are welcome; we will have something for everyone.

Game Maker has a free version to download at yoyogames.com. We will also provide some detailed insight into the Oregon Game Project Challenge and how you and/or your colleagues can get involved as a coach or mentor. No commitment to coaching a team is necessary to register for this class.