Workshop Overview: Art & Algorithms

Introduction to Swift Programming

Objective: This workshop is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of coding using Swift, a powerful and intuitive programming language used by professional developers worldwide. Through the use of the Swift Playgrounds app on the iPad, students will not only learn the basics of coding but also how to apply their skills creatively to produce digital art and solve puzzles.

This workshop is for beginners of all ages. Students require no prior experience with programming. Check the dates and grade levels as we group students with similar age.

Tools Needed:

• iPad with iOS 16.0 or later

• Swift Playgrounds app (free on the App Store)

Registration details:

• Duration: 2 days, 6 hours   

• Dates: Saturday, June 22, 29th 

• Time: 9 AM - noon

• Grade level: 5th, 6th, 7th 

• Fee: $199 (Limited time offer - 40% discount with code RJLEE10)

Workshop Structure:

Dive Into Swift Playgrounds

• Duration: 1 Hour

• Objectives:

  • Familiarize with the Swift Playgrounds interface.

  • Understand the basic syntax and structure of Swift code.

  • Execute simple commands and see immediate results.

Activities:

• Introduction to Playgrounds: Learn to navigate the app and use interactive books.

• Hello, Code!: Write your first line of code and understand outputs.

• Experimentation: Modify provided code snippets to see visual changes.

Be Creative - Create Your Custom Digital Art

• Duration: 2 Hours

• Objectives:

  • Apply programming concepts to create art.

  • Enhance creativity through coding.

Activities:

• Artistic Coding: Use basic shapes and colors to draw simple graphics.

• Interactive Art: Make art that changes with user inputs (e.g., touches, swipes).

• Sharing Session: Showcase creations and discuss the techniques used.

Improve Algorithmic Thinking - Learn To Code 1

• Duration: 3 Hours

• Objectives:

  • Develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

  • Understand the flow of programs and how to control it using logic and data.

Activities:

• Sequential Operations: Learn how commands are executed in sequence.

• Conditional Coding: Introduce if-else statements and loops to make decisions.

• Problem Solving: Work through puzzles that require arranging code blocks to achieve specific outcomes.

• Challenges: Implement custom solutions for provided problems.

Learning Outcomes:

• Read and Modify Code: Students will be able to look at existing code, understand what it does, and make changes to customize the outputs.

• Algorithmic Thinking: Participants will learn to think more logically and systematically, planning out their code to solve problems effectively.

• Creative Expression: Students will discover how programming can be a form of artistic expression, using code to create visual artwork.

Materials Provided:

• Take home project Videos: Quick reference videos for Swift syntax and commands.

• Creative Coders Playground Book: A custom Playground Coding Book for students to experiment

• Certificate of Completion: Awarded to participants who successfully complete all sessions.  

This workshop promises a blend of technology and creativity, perfect for students looking to get a head start in the world of programming through an engaging and hands-on approach. Whether it’s creating digital art or solving coding puzzles, participants will gain valuable skills that serve as a foundation for further education and career opportunities in technology.