Quick Facts
Ages: 14–17
Grades: Rising ninth graders through rising 12th graders
Dates: July 21–25
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus in Wheaton, Illinois
Format: Daytime
Duration: One week
Cost: $550
Topic Area
Coding
Program Description
This program is designed for high school students who are eager to learn the fundamentals of creating real-life applications. Students will use a user-friendly app development tool to design, develop, and test their own applications, gaining valuable experience in software development processes. Students will also explore how to create effective user interfaces that enhance usability, ensuring their apps are both functional and appealing.
Schedule
Note: Creating apps, app expo, peer review, and informal assessments will be part of the daily curriculum.
Day 1: Students learn the basics of app design and algorithm development. No programming experience is necessary to do this. The focus will be on learning to design a good user interface. Students will learn to write JavaScript to produce the apps.
Day 2: Students will learn to make their app interactive by taking in input, processing the data, and producing output.
Day 3: Students will learn to add sound and images to their app. They will design a basic game app.
Day 4: Students will learn to modularize their design using functions. They will learn how to call a function, pass arguments, and process the values.
Day 5: Students will be introduced to the design phase of the software development life cycle (SDLC). They will design a real-life app as a team and present the concept. They will then collaborate as a team to develop the app.
Activities
Warm Up: This activity will help determine how much was retained from the previous lesson. This will determine whether the group continues or if the group will review a concept.
Real Life Apps: The crucial part of learning any language is practice. An example of an app might be for ordering an item or learning a language. Students will learn to design and create several real-life interactive apps.
Peer Review and App Expo: Apps are written for others to use. It is important to get feedback on the user interface and to improve the design.
Assessments will be given using Quizizz each day.
A Kahoot will be used throughout the week to engage students and to have fun, because learning should be fun.
Benefits
- Students will learn to problem solve, apply logical thinking, and effectively use resources. These are all skills necessary to be successful in college-level courses.
- Students will develop their communication skills and learn the design phase of the software development life cycle to create their algorithms and increase their logical thinking.
- Learn how to create an effective user interface. The key to developing any app is to create a meaningful user interface.
- Apps are being utilized in most aspects of our lives: to order food, to enroll in classes, to play games, and to learn new skills. How many apps do you presently have on your phone? You will be using them throughout your college career. Understand how they work.
- Hack-a-thons in colleges are utilizing app development for contests and prizes. Be prepared to participate and be successful.
Eligibility and Program Requirements
No prior experience necessary!