Summer Computer Programming / Game Design Camps, AL

University of Alabama Department of Computer Science, Summer Camps:
This summer, the Department of Computer Science at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa will host a series of computer science camps for middle school and high school students. We welcome students from Alabama and throughout the United States, as well as international students from around the world. We provide a week-long day (commuter) camp for middle school students, and two-week camps for high school students with both day and overnight options available. Our fun and educational summer tech camps cover a range of computer science topics such as game programming and robotics.

Summer Computer Camps at University of Alabama:
Our Computer Science Camps are taught using methods that encourage self-exploration across multiple projects. Students will be taught multiple topics of computer science while learning to program a computer in several exciting contexts (robotics control and smartphone apps).

Middle School Students - rising seventh through ninth graders:
Week-long day camp

- Game Programming with Scratch; Robotics
In this camp, students will learn computer science topics in two exciting contexts: Game Programming and Robotics. Scratch is a programming language that aims to offer the best possible first exposure to programming by providing a more intuitive environment for teaching computer programming. In addition to understanding how to program games in Scratch, this camp will also provide students with the opportunity to learn computer programming within the context of robotics. 

Students will learn computer science fundamentals, basic algorithm design, and common programming constructs. Throughout the week, projects will involve the creation of animations, video games, and robotics control programs.

Campers will explore various project ideas in paired teams in a very hands-on environment. They will be able to showcase their individual projects to their families on the last day of camp.

High School Students - rising sophomores through seniors:
Two-week computer camps with commuter and residential dorm options available.

- Introduction to Programming with Java
In the first week of this camp, we will introduce students to Java, which is an object-oriented programming language. Students will learn the basic constructs of a programming language, learn to design and compile programs, and practice their new knowledge on fun projects (e.g., video game design). The exercises throughout the week will be focused on media computation (using an approach promoted by Georgia Tech), which will involve writing programs that modify movies, pictures, and audio.

- Smartphone Programming (Android App Inventor) and Robotics
Learn to program Android apps using MIT's App Inventor! In addition, students will build simple robots from the Lego NXT robotics kit and learn how to program their robot. Several Android phones and tablets will be available for use. (Please note that these remain the property of the University of Alabama at the end of the camp.)

Combining the two topics, students learn to program an Android app to control a robot. For the robotics projects, students will work in two-person teams. Each student will produce their own innovative project to be demonstrated on Friday during a special student showcase.

Camp Schedule:
Camps begin at 9am and end at 3:30pm Monday to Friday. There will be an hour-long lunch break with planned social events for those staying in our dorms. 

Pre-requisites:
Students should have basic computer usage skills, such as using a mouse in Windows Explorer; no previous programming experience is required.