Hacklab starts with the idea that hacking is a good thing, providing a creative learning environment where children are encouraged to embrace their inner hacker by taking charge of the different technologies we use every day to create solutions and overcome obstacles. It aims to demystify technology for parents, teachers and students in a relatable and no-nonsense manner.
Students discover how technology is created through open ended projects using the cutting edge Raspberry Pi computer, or should schools prefer, their own Windows/Mac machines.
This Half-term, a group of students aged 8-12 years will be led through five days of practical, hands on experience with the Raspberry Pi at Half-Term Hackshops. They'll be writing code in four separate environments, connecting to devices, lights and switches, creating computer games, music and bedroom alarms.
By the end of the week, students are confident users of technology who are ready to begin realising their own projects on the Raspberry Pi.
All of the Hacklab workshops are consistent with the new Computing Curriculum for Key Stage 2, and offer formative assessment opportunities.
Its courses provide extending and enriching Computer Science experiences for children in a safe, exciting and technologically immersive environment.
The Hacklab can also provide straightforward CPD and training for teachers, and hold ‘Parent Outreach’ evenings in your school where the team will help mitigate the feeling that children know more than you do, to discuss the concepts within the new curriculum and to help parents understand the impact that being a citizen of the digital age will have on their families.
Hacklab describes its half term workshops - Five days of fun and learning at Microsoft Research Labs Cambridge:
Monday October 27th: Short Circuit
Control your own electrical circuits with lights and sound: make stuff happen when you press a button, flip a switch, or score a point in your game. First we give you a quick rundown on electrical circuitry and handling electronics safely, then we start building some machines. We tinker around with LED lights, buttons and breadboards to create a Morse code machine, then we program an interactive game, where you create your own controls!
Tuesday October 28th: Gamer Brainstorm
We get into some Object Oriented Programming and imagine, design and code our own personal video games. Choose the game genre you’d like to emulate, then design a computer game with your own characters and individual style. We show you how to make your own version of Pac-Man, Flappy Bird, Temple Run or Mortal Kombat!
Wednesday October 29th: Rocket Rumble
It’s been a long fight, but we’ve managed to push the aliens back to their last stronghold. Captain, we need you to create a command interface in Scratch, take control of your deadly Thunder USB Rocket Launcher, and program it to wipe the deadly menace from the face of our planet! A game of real life Missile Command!
Thursday October 30th: The MineCraft Matrix
Today we explore the random, blocky, creative-sandbox world of Minecraft. Build yourself a secret lair, then step into the Matrix and begin bending reality. We input Python to use the MinecraftPi API (Application Programming Interface) to take control of the very rules of the game and act like superheroes; teleport back to your lair instantly, build whole structures out of nothing in one click and zoom around on water like Iceman. Can you work out how to bend the rules enough to make the TNT explosive?
Friday October 31st: Hacky Halloween!
We use our knowledge of electronics and halloweenRPiprogramming to make a scaring machine to frighten our friends and terrify our parents. We connect an infrared sensor to detect our victim coming, create a program to make a scary noise, and then snap a photo of the victim jumping into the air looking terrified with the PiCamera! Come in dressed up for the Costume Contest!
Prices start at £80 per day, with a discount for multiple day bookings.
Book now
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