Social discussion of CS in K-12

["Smith, Robert Alan" <rasmth AT illinois.edu>]

Here is a first cut...

Special Interest (SPIN) clubs were introduced in Illinois 4-H to allow youth 
with similar interests to focus their activities on a single topic; one such 
interest area has been robotics.  Robotics clubs have grown rapidly in the 
last 5 years.  At the present time, there are approximately 600 youth 
involved  in 40 robotics clubs in the state and an additional 500 youth in 30 
after school clubs.  Approximately 100 youth in 10 clubs are high school aged 
with some of them programming in RobotC and/or Labview. In addition, 50 youth 
in three clubs are involved in clubs learning how to program Arduino 
microcontrollers.  Most of the additional youth are aged 8-14 and are working 
with LEGO Mindstorms robots and are programming in NXT-G.  The only other 
organized programming language offered by Illinois 4-H is the pilot program 
using Arduinos. SPIN clubs are a great opportunity to introduce newer 
programming projects as clubs are always recruiting young members to replace 
those that graduate or move on to high school clubs.  These high school teens 
are also excellent resources to help teach younger youth new and existing 
programming options.  In addition, the low cost of implementing new Computer 
programming curriculum should attract new programming specific SPIN clubs.

-----Original Message-----
From: Reese, George Clifford 
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:50 AM
To: Smith, Robert Alan; 
csPiggers AT lists.mste.illinois.edu
Subject: RE: draft 1 of Computing Connections to Robotics proposal

I do think some around the state. Ok, we'll increase that. 
Thanks Bob,
George

-----Original Message-----
From: Smith, Robert Alan 
[mailto:rasmth AT illinois.edu]
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 8:11 AM
To: Reese, George Clifford; 
csPiggers AT lists.mste.illinois.edu
Subject: RE: draft 1 of Computing Connections to Robotics proposal

Sometime today, I will work on a paragraph regarding robotics SPIN clubs and 
after school clubs.  You don't need to put anything in for my time, although 
you may want to increase the amount for workshops.  Were you thinking of 
having workshops on campus or several workshops throughout the state?

Bob


-----Original Message-----
From: Reese, George Clifford
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 2:02 PM
To: 
csPiggers AT lists.mste.illinois.edu;
 Smith, Robert Alan
Subject: draft 1 of Computing Connections to Robotics proposal

Attached is a very rough draft that Lenny and I worked on for a bit this 
morning. 
It has requests for paragraphs from Bob, Lenny, and Maya.  However, anyone is 
welcome to edit away. 

George


George Reese
Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education (MSTE)
505 East Green St. 
Suite 102
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-6604