MakerState, a STEM-focused enrichment center for children ages 6-14, is incorporating new software for learning the basics of robotics, graphic design, game design, and engineering. Younger campers will use the robotics kits WeDo and older campers will use Mindstorms, both of which allow campers to build robots with Legos. Age groups are 6-10 and 10-14.
The new software used will include Piskel (which helps teach basic pixelated animation skills), Bloxel (a hands-on, physical board that corresponds to an app to help teach 3-D graphics), Micro:bit (a program used to teach the basics of coding), and Scratch (a software that helps children develop 2-D video games).
MakerState will also use more popular building tools such as Roblox (a software that helps children develop 3-D video games) and Minecraft (a program that helps kids visualize video game design and world building).
“We’re attempting to… move away from some of the classic ‘this is the science fair experiment activity’ to what [are] some of the real-world applications for this, for current problems and things that you’re interested in,” says Edward Dennard, IT and maker materials director at MakerSpace.
STEM Summer Camp is running this year from July 1-Aug. 30 from 8:30am-4pm. MakerState has four locations in the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Lower East Side, and Brooklyn. For more information, call 917-780-2345, email info@maker-state.com, or visit the MakerState website.
