16 USC high school students and 126 USC 4th graders that have been impacted by this program so far. See yearly reports listed below. 

This committee runs Creative Computing Clubs for 4th grade students at Baker, Eisenhower and Streams Elementary Schools. The 5-week clubs are coached by USC high school students that have expressed an interest in computer science. During this school year the program engaged 9 high school students and 6 parent volunteers.

The club successfully taught fundamental computer science concepts to 59 elementary students using the online programming platform, Scratch. Club coaches report that the club boosted club member’s confidence by nesting problem solving tasks in a creative framework. Participation fees generated by this program were used to purchase in-classroom STEAM equipment that will benefit all elementary students. Baker’s PTA, Eisenhower’s PTO and Streams’s PTO have created STEAM committees to support the clubs and other school-specific STEAM initiatives next year.

If you’ll have a 4th grade student(s) in the 2018-2019 school year, be sure to look out for Creative Computing Club sign ups in January or February of 2019! Contact chairperson Suzanne Wynne to learn more or to volunteer.  

2016-2017 PTC STEAM Committee Report

During the spring of 2017, the PTC STEAM Committee launched after-school Creative Computing Clubs for 4th grade students at Baker, Eisenhower and Streams Elementary Schools. The 4-week clubs were coached by 1 to 2 parent volunteers and assisted by 2 to 3 computer science students from the high school. In all, this program engaged 5 parent volunteers and utilized the technical expertise of 7 high school students.

The club successfully taught fundamental computer science concepts to 55 elementary students using the online programming platform, Scratch. Club coaches report that the club boosted club member’s confidence by nesting problem solving tasks in a creative framework. Coaches also reported that some students integrated the online programming skills they learned in the club into class projects. Coach feedback has been collected and is currently being analyzed to improve next year’s program.

Participation fees generated by this program were used to purchase in-classroom STEAM equipment that will benefit all elementary students. Baker’s PTA, Eisenhower’s PTO and Streams’s PTO received so much positive feedback about this program that they are creating Creative Computing committees to support the clubs next year.

If you’ll have a 4th grade student(s) in the 2017-2018 school year, be sure to look out for Creative Computing Club sign ups in January or February of 2018! Contact chairperson Suzanne Wynne to learn more or to volunteer.