Classes in Robotics and Animation this summer

This July, the Wayland Park & Recreation Department in partnership with Children’s Technology Workshop will have children building their own robots and making their very own movies in Robotics and Animation classes.

The classes are both the week of July 13 to 17, Monday to Friday, at the Wayland Art Center. Robotics runs from 9 a.m. to noon and Animation is from 1 to 4 p.m.

Children’s Technology Workshop runs after-school, summer camp, and in-the-classroom programs throughout the Greater Boston area that teach children about science and technology through creative hands-on projects. More than a typical computer camp, Children’s Technology Workshop engages children to use their imagination and creativity to explore new technologies, invent personal projects, and actually create their visions using a variety of provided resources, including computers, software, green screens, Webcams, and Lego Mindstorm materials.

The Robotics class will have children in grades 3 to 8 using Lego Mindstorms to construct motorized, programmed devices to model machines used in manufacturing and production. Instructors introduce design challenges, discuss real-life robots, and explore the design and application of structural elements.

This class is a great preparation for robotic competitions such as First Lego League, or for simply having fun with robotics. The class concludes with a group showcase of projects. While children do not get to take home their robot creations, they do take home digital photo slide shows of all their work.

In Animation Club, children in grades 3 to 8 learn that while watching movies is fun, watching one you filmed yourself is even better!

Instructors teach the fundamentals of storytelling and moviemaking as children develop and film several stop-motion animations using both digital animation and physical 3-D objects. In addition to learning about different forms of animation, children will learn the art of character and prop design, camera angles and filming, how to use editing software, and adding special effects to their movies, as well as planning and organizational strategies. At the end of the club, all children can take home their final movies to share with family and friends.

While kids in Club Workshops learn a lot in their week of classes, they are so excited about their projects that they don’t even realize they are learning. For them it’s just a fun week working with cool new technology and making great projects.

Video examples of projects made by kids in Children’s Technology Workshop programs can be viewed at www.learndangerously.com.

To register for the Wayland classes visit www.wayland.ma.us/park or call 508-358-3660. The cost of each weeklong course is $250. Children who sign up for both classes have free lunch supervision.
 

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