Category Archives: Other Events & Contests

Coder Dojo

Other Events & Contests

According to https://coderdojo.com, CoderDojo is a global movement of free, volunteer-led,  community based programming clubs for young people. At a Dojo, young people, between 7 and 17, learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and explore technology in an informal and creative environment. In addition to learning to code attendees meet like minded people and are exposed to the possibilities of technology.

Within the CoderDojo Movement there is a focus on community, peer learning, youth mentoring and self led learning,  with an emphasis on showing how coding is a force for change in the world.

– See more at: https://coderdojo.com/about/#sthash.iVog31Il.dpuf

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The 2015-16 dates for the Omaha area Coder Dojos haven’t been updated on the AIM website, but the first one is on Saturday, September 19.  We also have a Westside event on that date, but depending on interest, we may not be able to take everyone that signs up.  In that case, consider attending this Coder Dojo by signing up here.

CSG-AIM Coder Dojo: CSG 18020 Burt Street, Omaha, NE TIME: 9:30am to 11:30am

2015 Summer Opportunities

Nordquist Blog, Other Events & Contests, Parents

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It is hard to believe that the last bell will ring soon and summer fun will commence!  The EY team will continue to provide a variety of learning experiences through our blog to keep those summer minds sharp!  We also wanted to pass along other opportunities available outside of our team and/or district.  We hope that these resources provide a starting point for your search into further enrichment opportunities.  Please note that these are suggested resources and are not endorsed or extensively researched by the Westside EY team.

TenMarks Online Math Summer Program                                                                                                   As you know, students lose an average of 2-3 months of math comprehension
over summer break. TenMarks offers a Free Summer Program that is proven to
reverse the loss.  Students that participated in the program last year not
only reversed their learning loss, they showed an 11% gain in math
proficiency!
This summer, TenMarks is making the Summer Math Program available to your
students for FREE! (previously $39.95/student)
Register at summer.tenmarks.com

Nebraska Association for the Gifted website list                                                                                         This list has various opportunities around the metro area and state.  Please be sure to contact the sponsor for availability and further information.                                                                 http://www.negifted.org/4995.html

Metropolitan Community College – College for Kids and Teens   http://mccneb.edu/collegeforkidsteens/

Arts For All is a nonprofit arts education organization dedicated to making the arts available and affordable for all ages throughout Metro Omaha. In 2013, over 1,500 students participated in Arts For All’s quality culturally-enriched programming.  http://artsforallinc.com/

Summer Kid’s Music Clinic 2015                                                                                                Sponsored By The Papillion LaVista Community Theatre  Contact MONIKA PETERS AT mpeters@paplv.org  for more information.

Camp Wonderopolis (online)                                                                                                                                 Camp Wonderopolis is headed to new frontiers this year with a theme of Mission to Wonder. Camp will enable programs, families, and individuals to customize their experience to their needs while campers explore different tracks of STEM-based exploration. Along the way they will build their vocabulary, background knowledge, and literacy skills          http://camp.wonderopolis.org/

Leap Ahead in Math This Summer!  (online)                                                                                                    Research shows that students who are not exposed to stimulating, educational activities over the summer months easily lose a couple of month’s worth of math skills.  Instead of losing skills, sharpen skills and leap ahead in math this summer with LeapAhead!.                    http://www.noetic-learning.com/summermath/

 

Coding Bliss

Other Events & Contests, Parents, Teachers

Girls Only!

Coding Bliss is a monthly coding workshop for girls.  The goal is to make coding fun and accessible to young women in the community.

The event is held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 5-8 pm.

Check out more details at

https://www.meetup.com/Coding-Bliss/?_cookie-check=JuUu1AxDvk-WCS2X

Agenda:

  • 5-5:30: Networking
  • 5:30-6:00: Guest Speaker (Sandi Barr-Founder of Omaha Coding Women)
  • 6-8:00:  Coding Workshop-Introduction to HTML (led by Shonna Dorsey-co-founder of Interface Web School)

 

Nebraska SciFest Essay Contest-Check back after Jan 1

Learning Opportunities, Other Events & Contests, Teachers

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Nebraska SciFest is sponsoring a writing contest.  Students in grades 4-12 can choose from a writing prompt an can enter a paper to be judged.

This writing prompts will be posted with this contest opens in after the first of the year, 2019 @  https://www.nescifest.com/participate/essay/

Essays must be postmarked by March 1.   For more details on the essay requirements, check out https://www.nescifest.com/participate/essay/ after the first of the year.

Good lucK!

Pictures taken from http://www.pdclipart.org

The Marshmallow Challenge

Other Events & Contests, Teachers

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What can you build with 20 full pieces of spaghetti, one standard-sized marshmallow, a yard of masking tape and a yard of string?  The Omaha Public Power District challenges you to challenge your inner engineer and build the tallest structure you can!

Teams of three to four students currently in 5th grade are invited to participate.  Read more about the contest rules here.  OPPD is accepting electronic entries until 5 p.m., February 19.

Breaking Barriers Essay Contest

Learning Opportunities, Other Events & Contests, Teachers

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The Breaking Barriers Essay Contest is a chance for diverse students in grades 4-8 to share their personal stories and how they use Jackie Robinson’s values to face their own barriers.

Details:  Write an essay about a barrier that you have faced. Explain how you faced this barrier by using one or more of Jackie Robinson’s Nine Values:

  1. Citizenship
  2. Commitment
  3. Courage
  4. Determination
  5. Excellence
  6. Integrity
  7. Justice
  8. Persistence
  9. Teamwork

Each essay should be at least 200 words long and not exceed 700 words
in length.  There is a limit of one entry per student. All essays must be factual and based on the student’s real-life experience.  Fictional stories will be disqualified.

Contest Deadline:  March 13, 2015

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You can read more about the essay requirements, official rules, and judging criteria by going to the website.

2015 Block Kids

Other Events & Contests, Parents

BlockKids

The Block Kids program was created in 1990 to introduce children in grades 1-6 to the construction industry.  During the event, kids are given a maximum of one hour to use their blocks and selected items to build a project that is in some way related to the construction industry.  This is a free event!

When:  The 2015 event will be held on Saturday, February 7th at 10:00 am

Where:  Metro Community College South Campus (29th and Q Street)  Industrial Technology Center, Room 120

Click Here for the Brochure

Click Here for the Registration Form

Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions

Thomas Edison Invention Challenge

Learning Opportunities, Other Events & Contests

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6th-12 graders…Are you interested in a team-based, integrated/interdisciplinary, head and hands approach to learning?  Well the Thomas Edison Invention Challenge is for you!

Basic Rules:  

  • Get a team of 4 students
  • Register your team
  • Submit an essay or video answering the question: Who was Thomas Edison?
  • Receive a alternative energy kit and create a prototype
  • Document all your work
  • Present your work

The team registration is due by Dec. 8!  Click on the link below!

Deadline #1 – December 8, 2014 – http://edisoninventionchallenge.org/main/about/registration/

Deadline #2 – December 20, 2014 – Teams must electronically submit an essay, not to exceed 750 words OR a student created video. The essay/video topic will be “Who was Thomas Edison?”  NOTE:  3 minute Video submissions are preferred.

Deadline #3 – January 30, 2015 – Teams must submit electronic images of their design logs.  Powerpoint would be the preferred method to showcase your Notebook.

Mid February –  Teams receive an alternative energy kit

Deadline #4 – March 20, 2015 – Teams are to submit a PowerPoint presentation showing the build process.  See submission criteria included in this manual.

 Deadline #5 – April 10, 2015 – 50-60% marketing of your invention and its added value to society and 40-50% demo of a working model or explaining how you imagine it to work.

 Westside Community Schools does not sponsor or endorse the organization or activity described here.  The sharing of this information is provided as a community service.