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Scratch Design Workshops |
Scratch is a media-rich programming environment that can be used to create computer games, animations, music videos, interactive fiction and much more. Developed by the MIT Media Lab and released for distribution in late 2006, Scratch has rapidly become one of the most widely used development applications among computer science students and young people with an interest in digital design.
WPL's Scratch programs consist of an introductory class followed by a series of optional workshops. The introductory class introduces students to the Scratch programming environment and to Scratch's built-in graphics and sound editing tools. The optional workshops give students the chance to work on a hands-on design project while introducing them to foundational computer programming concepts. After attending the workshops, Scratch designers are encouraged to create a personal account on the Scratch web site (scratch.mit.edu) where they can post their projects for others to see or view and download projects that have been posted by others.
Sponsored by the Wilmette Public Library's Teen Advisory Board and the Game Design Club, Scratch workshops are offered free of charge to area residents between the ages of eight and sixteen. All students receive a free CD containing the Scratch application, Audacity (sound editing program), Anvil Studio (midi composing software), and GIMP (graphics editing program). Graduates of the Scratch program ae encouraged to continue working on projects as members of WPL's Game Design club.
Scratch workshops are offered intermittently throughout the year, with several offerings scheduled during the sumer months. To learn when the next program is scheduled, contact Brian Myers at bmyers@wilmettelibrary.info
