SPRING TECH TROUPE IS STARTING SOON!!! CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO APPLY!!!
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The purpose of our Tech Troupes is to provide a fun, engaging environment for students to learn computer science and other technology skills. Students in grades four and five at Altara are invited to apply to participate in our tech troupe.
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We have some fun things planned including creating and programming digital music and sounds with coding, as well as, working with the Makey Makey's.  

​We will meet on the following dates:

March 5 and 7
March 12 and 14
March 19 and 21
March 26 and 28

All meetings will be from 3:10-4:10 after school.  

Space is limited!!  Please fill out an online application (link below) if you haven't already done so.  APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FEB. 23 AT 3PM.  
You will be contacted if you made it into this sessions troupe.  
  • In order to apply for this tech troupe students must:
    • Be a 4th or 5th Grade student at the school where the tech troupe is held.
    • Completely fill out and submit an online application with a 2 paragraph typed essay stating why you (the student) would like to join Techniteer Troupe.  Written by the student.
    • Agree to follow and honor the behavior expectations of Altara’s Tech Troupe (see below).
Altara Tech Troupe Expectations:
In order to provide a safe environment for students to learn, explore and work, behavior expectations must be met.  Students should behave in a way that comports with the behavior expectations and guidelines of the school.  If student behavior in tech troupe is not deemed safe, respectful, and responsible, a student may be asked to leave and lose the privilege of participation in tech troupe.

Please know that consistent participation is also a must for success in tech troupe.  Students who miss more than two sessions in a 4 week period will relinquish their spot to a student on the waiting list.  Students are responsible for their own transportation home.  Please make sure students are picked up promptly at 4:15pm in front of the school.

Hour of Code with Tynker.com
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We finished up this session of Tech Troupe with an Hour of Code on Tynker.com.  The kids had a great time and learned a ton!!
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Movie making was a ton of fun!!  

We finished our PSA's and they turned out great!!  The kids did an awesome job working together and had a lot of fun!!!  

Tech troupe is up and running!!

SO FAR WE HAVE LEARNED ABOUT AND TRIED VIRTUAL REALITY USING THE GOOGLE EXPEDITIONS APP AND GOOGLE CARDBOARDS AND IPODS.  WE ALSO TRIED OUT A FEW NEARPOD FIELDTRIPS.  

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VISIT JUPITER, THE MOON, RUSSIA, THE WHITE HOUSE, VOLCANOES, THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, AND THE MAYAN RUINS.  WE HAVE ALSO SEEN INSIDE OUR CIRCULATORY AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS. WE'VE BEEN UNDERSEA IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, AND WE'VE CHECKED OUT THE MILKY WAY!

IT HAS BEEN A LOT OF FUN!

Next up is brainstorming and storyboarding to begin filming our PSA (public service announcement).  Put your thinking caps on!

APPLICATION IS NOW CLOSED.  
PLEASE TRY AGAIN IN THE SPRING 2018.

THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT APPLIED!  YOU WILL BE RECEIVING A LETTER FROM YOUR TEACHER IF YOU WERE ACCEPTED.

PLEASE REVIEW THE BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS OUTLINED BELOW.

Fall 2017
​Troupe News
The purpose of our Tech Troupes is to provide a fun, engaging environment for students to learn computer science and other technology skills. Students in grades four and five are invited to apply to participate in our tech troupe.
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We have some fun things planned for the next eight weeks, including virtual reality, storyboarding and movie making, and some coding!!  We will meet on the following dates:

Oct. 11
Oct. 17 *We will meet on Tuesday this week because of Fall Break
Oct. 25
Nov. 1
Nov. 8
Nov. 15
Nov. 29
Dec. 6

All meetings will be from 3:10-4:10 after school.  Please note there is not a meeting the week of Thanksgiving.

Space is limited!!  Please fill out an online application (link below) if you haven't already done so.  Applications are due by 3pm on Thursday, Oct. 5.  You will be contacted if you made it into this sessions troupe.  If you didn't, please try again in the Spring!!! 

  • In order to apply for this tech troupe students must:
    • Be a 4th or 5th Grade student at the school where the tech troupe is held.
    • Completely fill out and submit an online application with a 2 paragraph typed essay stating why you (the student) would like to join Techniteer Troupe.
    • Agree to follow and honor the behavior expectations of Altara’s Tech Troupe (see below).
Altara Tech Troupe Expectations:
In order to provide a safe environment for students to learn, explore and work, behavior expectations must be met.  Students should behave in a way that comports with the behavior expectations and guidelines of the school.  If student behavior in tech troupe is not deemed safe, respectful, and responsible, a student may be asked to leave and lose the privilege of participation in tech troupe.

Please know that consistent participation is also a must for success in tech troupe.  Students who miss more than two sessions in an 8 week period will relinquish their spot to a student on the waiting list.  Students are responsible for their own transportation home.  Please make sure students are picked up promptly at 4:15pm in front of the school.
I am excited to get started!!!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Troupe News: February 15, 2017

Today we have started on our Sphero project.  We have learned how to do some basic programing.  This morning the students have started on there project.  We are programing together to choreography movements to a song. It is exciting to watch the students as they create the Sphero moves.

Winter TroupE Group
Google CS First computer science and coding intro
File Size: 7428 kb
File Type: mp4
Download File
This years session we are focusing on programing and using the Sphero in the STEM challenges.
We are meeting in the morning before school on Wednesday.  7:10-8:10
The start date is January 18th and this session will last 8 weeks.

The school's Education Technology Specialist, Katie Blunt, will be join us and adding her expertise to the exciting session.
I am excited for the adventure to start.  Keep look at the page for updates and stories.