Current classes
We are offering on coding and technology aimed at girls in grades 5-10. Classes are free unless a materials fee is listed. Please note, all times are in Eastern Time. Take note of our no-show and repeat class policies. Our mask policy for in-person events follows CDC Community Level Guidelines.
Difficulty rating: ⭐- no experience needed, ⭐⭐ - some coding experience helpful , ⭐⭐⭐ - some coding experience needed
February 2023
February 11 - Smart Trains ⭐
Blount County Public Library, 508 North Cusick Street, Maryville, TN 37804
9:30am to 3:30pm - Lunch included
Love trains and coding? This is the camp for you. The girls will use programable smart trains (www.intelino.com) and work in teams, learn to code the trains and choreograph train movements simulating a commuter railway.
February 18 - Dancing with AI ⭐
Virtual Event
10am to 3pm - Eastern Time. This event has a lunch break from Noon to 1pm.
Machine learning and artificial intelligence allow us to design interactive, movement-focused systems using a camera that were impossible just a few years back. In this mini-camp the girls will learn the basics of machine learning and create there own interactive program. They will learn how to use Googles Teachable machine and PoseBlocks, a version of the popular Scratch with machine learning extensions.
February 25 - Materials! Solving the Puzzle from the Bottom Up ⭐
Roane State Community College, 701 Briarcliff Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
9:00am to Noon
Have you ever wondered why today’s screens are bigger and brighter, why your new backpack is water resistant, or why certain materials are better for the environment? Have you ever thought about how new materials come to be? The girls will learn about materials, how truly tiny (and yet important) atoms are, and how scientists go about solving the puzzle of why and how a material does what it does. We’ll tour materials through history, interactive computer simulations, and hands-on building.
March 2023
March 4 - The Power of Spreadsheets and Charts ⭐
Virtual Event
10am to noon - Eastern Time.
Data are all around us but spread sheets can do more than just show a big table of numbers. You can organize your data, perform calculations and show your data in a chart. Learn how to become a data wizard and make the most of those numbers. In this class you will learn all about how to unlock the secrets of those numbers and tell their story using charts.
March 11 - Creating a Musical Glove ⭐⭐
Blount County Public Library, 508 North Cusick Street, Maryville, TN 37804
9:30am to 3:30pm - Lunch included - Materials Fee $30.00
Create the ultimate air instrument -- using nothing but your hand! Girls will use the Adafruit Circuit Playground and use its sensors to make music based on hand movements. We wikll use block coding making this camp suitable for beginners and more advanced coders. The materials fee of $30 includes the Adafruit Circuit Playground and all other materials needed. Participants will be able to take their musical glove home and entertain the whole family 😉
March 25 - Exercise with the MicroBit ⭐
Roane State Community College, 701 Briarcliff Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
9:00am to Noon
Did you know the MicroBit (www.microbit.org) has a sensor that can tell acceleration and orientation? Learn how to program the MicroBit to sense movement and create a webpage to show the result. Imagine how Doctor could monitor progress during physical therapy or yopu can keep track of your workouts.
April 2023
April 1 - Artistic Math ⭐⭐
Virtual Event
10am to noon - Eastern Time.
Come join us! Learn to use math to its fullest potential to make beautiful patterns. We will use Python to display interesting shapes to create captivating artwork. We can not wait to see what patterns you come up with. If you can add, subtract, multiply, and divide, this class is for you.
April 22 - Using the MicroBit for Biometrics ⭐⭐
Blount County Public Library, 508 North Cusick Street, Maryville, TN 37804
9:30am to 3:30pm - Lunch included
Biometrics are used all around us, but how do they work? Learn about circuits and biometric sensors. We will be using the MicroBit (www.microbit.org) as our brain to measure signals and even hook up a heart beat monitor and measure our pulse. No experience with electronics needed.
April 29 - Internet of Things ⭐⭐
Roane State Community College, 701 Briarcliff Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
9:00am to Noon
From color changing lights to garage door openers to smart refrigerators, more and more devices are connected via the Internet. So how does it work? Learn all about the Internet of Things and what it takes to control a light emitting diode (LED) through the Internet. You will build a circuit, program firmware and create a webpage to control the LED. Sounds hard? Join the workshop and you will be an Internet of Things expert in no time.
May 2023
May 6 - Crowd Sourcing ⭐
Virtual Event
10am to noon - Eastern Time.
Crowd sourcing is a growing phenomenon allowing people from all over the world to participate and work together towards a common goal. Wikipedia, Lego Ideas, marking up satellite images or transcribing historic diaries are just a few examples. In this workshop the girls will learn about crowd sourcing through examples and hands-on activities.
May 13 - MicroBit Powered Robots ⭐
Blount County Public Library, 508 North Cusick Street, Maryville, TN 37804
9:30am to 3:30pm - Lunch included
We use the cool MicroBit (www.microbit.org) to power a cute robot. Learn to make the robot drive around, see and avoid obstacles and put on a cool lightshow. You are going to be a robot wizard befoire you know it.
May 20 - Code Some Chords ⭐⭐
Virtual Event
10am to noon - Eastern Time.
Become your own DJ using Python to create some awesome songs! If you have no experience in Python or music do not worry! You will learn basic Python and musical concepts using EarSketch (http://earsketch.gatech.edu) to create interesting and unique music. We can not wait to hear the spectacular songs you come up with!
May 27 - Smart Apps ⭐
Virtual Event
10am to noon - Eastern Time.
Apps we use every day keep getting smarter from recognizing faces to understanding speech. Have you ever wondered how they work? In this workshop you will learn about artificial intelligence and how it is used to recognize objects in images. Using the Thunkable (www.thunkable.com), you will learn how build your very own app that uses AI to describe pictures you take.