South Jr. High students learn teamwork, respect from video game creation

How often do you hear about video games having a positive affect on young people?

Well, it definitely had a favorable impact on a group of sixth – eighth graders at South Jr. High School, when they became creators of their own video game. The project was a collaboration involving students and teachers from South Jr. High working with an SCSU professor.

The game is titled “Save My Dragon,” and the students drew all the characters, backgrounds, and items in the game. They took inspiration from trees, clothing, nature in their backyards and the buildings in the Twin Cities. The students even created the soundtrack for the game, using recording sticks and instruments.

The article explores how the students faced challenges when it came to agreeing on artwork, and how the experience taught them to respect the ideas of others and take constructive criticism. The end result was a feeling of school pride, and the feeling that they had accomplished this game creation as a team.

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/mg6qkck, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

 

St. Cloud Coder Dojo

Create the coders of tomorrow with help from the Coder Dojo of St. Cloud! They are hosting an event where mentors will promote and help kids code. Ages 8-17 are welcome and may work on all types of coding ranging from Scratch to Python. Currently, it’s open house style so no registration is necessary! The Dojo has recently moved to the James W. Miller Learning Resources Center on the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) campus. The first chance to get kids coding will be on October 24th at 1:00 pm.

Check out the Coder Dojo – St. Cloud website for more details.

Facts:

• Miller Center, Room 218
• Saturdays, October 24, November 7 and 21, and December 5.
• Time: 1- 4 pm., come whenever for as long as you like
• Ages 8-17
• Kids under 13 need to be with an adult

Questions about location: Cindy Gruwell

Questions about Coder Dojo: Wayne Pfeffer

Sign-up for Coder Dojo email updates!

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Final call for EdCampMidMN!

Join the learning fun at EdCampMidMN on June 10, 2015. The EdCampMidMN event will be at the ISELF building on the St. Cloud State University Campus (St. Cloud, Minnesota). EdCamp follows the unconference process and is:

• Completely free. Yes, you read that right. There is NO cost to attend.
• You design the schedule. We give you the framework, you pick the topics.
• Have conversations that matter to you. This event is about having rich conversations, not being lectured by experts.

June 10th is fast approaching so Register Now!

EdCampMidMN: be a part of the conversation

Join the learning fun at the central Minnesota EdCamp on June 10, 2015. The EdCampMidMN event will be at the ISELF building on the St. Cloud State University Campus (St. Cloud, Minnesota). EdCamp follows the unconference process and is:

• Completely free. Yes, you read that right. There is NO cost to attend.
• You design the schedule. We give you the framework, you pick the topics.
• Have conversations that matter to you. This event is about having rich conversations, not being lectured by experts.

Registration is open so sign up now!

Are You Coming to the Edible Book Festival?

We hope so! This is the first year that CMLE is co-sponsoring and helping to offer this Edible Book event out beyond the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) campus, and we really hope that some staff and/or end users from area libraries and school media centers join us!

Have you always wondered about doing your own Edible Book event in your setting? Participate in ours to get the lay of the land! Looking for an activity to do in your makerspace? Do an edible book entry for April 14th and register as a group; win a group prize!

Prize categories are shown below.  Which category do you think you might have the best chance in winning?

• Individuals entries will compete for: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place; based on the popular vote of attendees at the event. Individual prizes will be valued at $100, $80, and $65 respectively!
• SCSU Student Groups ($50 cash; total value of $85) (2nd place, $75 value)
• Other Group outside of SCSU Student Groups ($85 value)

You only need to register if you are entering an edible creation in the contest. Spectators are encouraged and welcome, bring your friends and family! Everyone will have two hours to vote for favorites on April 14th.

Activities! Wondering what to do during the judging period?  Come to the Miller Center coffee shop (library lobby) and enjoy book-themed music by the campus radio station, KVSC.  There will also be Creation Station table activities to keep those jitters at bay while we wait for the judging results. Just for fun, try your hands-on-skills in several areas, or deduce book titles in a visual edible book trivia activity. But wait, there is more! View the professional entries from five local bakeries too and enjoy refreshments!

A little late to the game?  Get ideas and details here. Got questions? Email CMLE or call us at 320-308-2950.

Registration must be submitted by 12:00 PM (noon) on April 13, 2015.  Register here