In 8th grade, I attended Park View Middle School (in Cranston) where I was introduced to a Robotics program as well as vague computer lessons. At the end of the year, two of last year's coordinators came and introduced us to their programs, suggesting that we all applied. Well, I applied (having to be prodded by my mom a bit, I admit) and wrote the required essays. I was later accepted and was fortunate to have two friends I already knew able to accompany me.
Last year, Artemis was an awesome experience. I did not just learn valuable information about computers (how to use certain programs, some basic facts about computer languages, robotics, hyper text media language, et cetera...) but I also gained knowledge that would prove useful elsewhere. I learned how to use the public bus transportation system (I would not trade this for anything) and how to meet new people and work well in groups of all sorts of people. I also got exposed to the Brown campus, a useful thing for when I apply for college in two or three years. I have also become more familiar with downtown Providence.
Besides the new knowledge of the world around me, I created new friends, many of which I still correspond with, Ceci being only one of them. Now, at Cranston High School East, we have a program where we enter our schoolwork onto the computer. The skills I learned at Artemis have made this easier. I often find myself helping other students, too.
- Computer How-To
- The basics of using a windows computer; this is very helpful for those who have never used a computer before.
- Word and Excel
- These programs are really EXCELlent to use on your homework! Word!
- HTML
- HTML, for me at least, was the most fun. You are completely in control and can make your website look however you want! Whoi needs xangas and blogs when you can just make your own personal webpages?
- Photoshop
- This is an awesome program for when paint just doesntcut it anymore. This is great for making graphics for your webpages as well as editing your photographs before you show people.
- Logo
- Logo can get boring rather quickly but it can really help you to understand geometry class more. So many times during the school year I was wishing I had this program to help me with my crazy loads of geometry homework.
- Plus more... I wont go any further into lessons because, frankly, the first-years arent that far yet. However, robots are lots of fun (good memories) that the students are sure to love. Visual Basic is also a nifty program for creating things like small program windows.
So far, we have learned how to use the shell-based operating system called Linux (think penguin) as well as some basic javascript (like those pop-ups). We still have python to go but this year is as fun as ever. I really enjoy meeting the new students and coordinators as well as the Brown environment.
Roll your mouse over this picture to see me change into a squirrel! (I like squirrels!)
