Enlightening and Inspiring Generations with Generations of Ideas

The Not-So-Secret Code Club

Event Date: 
Jul 11 2016 - 2:00pm

In the Fall of 2015, the Library was selected and awarded, out of hundreds of grant applications, a flock of Finch robots by Finch maker, Birdbrain Technologies, to use as part of the 2016 Summer Program, "Within Arm's Reach...the Future is Yours."

"The Not-So-Secret Code Club," featuring the Finch Robots, begins on Monday, June 6th, at 2:00 p.m., when participants, ages 9 through 14 years, will learn Scratch "drag and drop" coding.  In each module, participants will master how to code all of the Finch Robot features (which are many!) and to develop a short perforamnce that integrates those skills for family and friends. These modules are a perfect STEM/STEAM (Science, Technology, Art, Engineering, and Mathematics) resource that is absolutely free of charge!

Using the "drag and drop" Scratch programming software, beginners learn to code their Finch to respond to hot and cold, avoid obstacles, move forward and backward programmed distances, change beak color, make and respond to sound, make complex series of movements that can be combined to make a performance, and drawing.   The Finch Robot can be programmed to traverse a complicated maze, too. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance in robotics and programming that kids can really enjoy.

The program is limited to twenty participants per time slot, who will work in pairs, and requires registration.  If you plan on registering, we ask that you try to commit to the nine weeks of the program, as skills learned in previous modules are needed to advance through the coding proccess.  If you want to register please call the Library at 815-223-2341 or send us a message on Facebook!

The Not-So-Secret Code Club time slots are as follows:  Mondays, June 6th through August 8th, at 2:00 p.m and Tuesdays, June 7th through August 9th, at 2:00 p.m and at 4:00 p.m.

This program is free and open to the public.