1. By: Brandy Russell Tuesday, December 9 th, 2014

2.  There are 6 categories in our technology fair:  1. General Applications  2. Multimedia  3. Web Site Creation  4. Video Production  5. Hardware-Robotics  6. Computer Programming  Let’s take a closer look at each category:

3.  General Applications:  Word Document  BASIC PowerPoint (no music or video/movie)  Spreadsheets  Word processing programs  Desktop Publishing programs  Example of previous General Application project:

4.  Multimedia:  PowerPoint (advanced) using different programs, adding music, adding video clips/movies  Example of previous Multimedia project:  Astound  Kid Pix  KidWorks Deluxe  Storybook Weaver  HyperStudio  Word Perfect Presentations  Claris Works  www.design-training.com and go to Multimedia

5.  Video Production:  Windows Movie Maker  Toshiba Movie Designer  Ipad movie  Any program you have that converts video to movies.  Example of previous Video Production project:

6.  Web Site Creation:  Blogs  Wiki’s  Google sites  Ning  Weebly for education  www.design-training.com and go to website creation for children  www.lisaexplains.com is AWESOME!

7.  Hardware-Robotics:  Google search: Making a robot for kids

8.  Computer Programming:  Google search: computer programming for kids

9.  New this year: PROJECTS MUST HAVE A SCHOOL TIE-IN!  Extra points are given for school related topics. There are several ways to make it relate to school.

10.  Students will compete in Levels  Level I is 3 rd and 4 th grade  Level II is 5 th and 6 th grade  Students may enter more than one category, but may have only one project per category.  Students may enter an individual project AND be part of a group project within a single category.  Students can compete in a groups of no more than 4. The student will compete in the Level of the oldest student in that group.  EXAMPLE:  Suzie is in the 3 rd grade. She enters an individual project in Multimedia. She also enters a group Multimedia project with 2 of her friends and one of the friends is in the 5 th grade. Suzie will compete in Level I for her individual project and Level II for her group project.

11.  All projects need to be saved on a USB jump drive (flash drive)  All files, pictures, video clips, music, etc. will also need to be saved on that jump drive  Windows Movie Maker is VERY tricky sometimes if you try to create a project on a computer and copy it to a jump drive—it is best to begin the project by saving everything to the jump drive. That way everything will pull up wherever you are!

12.  We will have space available for you to set- up a laptop if your project requires a certain program that we would not have at school.  There will be “practice” times available the week before the fair for students to bring their projects and make sure they pull up without “glitches”.

13.  A project notebook must accompany every project.  Notebook requirements are on my website and are very detailed.  When you have decided on a project and are ready to begin, you may send your child to Mrs. Garcia and they can “check-out” a DVD that will take you step by step through how to set-up your notebook. Please return the DVD in 2 days.

14.  After school classes will begin in January.  Teachers will be available to guide students through technology issues.  The student needs to already be choosing a topic (something they are passionate about—must have a school tie-in), and know the kind of project. (video, PowerPoint, web design, etc.)

15.  There will be a 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd place winner in each category at the ACTE Regional Technology Fair at Jacksonville State University. (Alabama Council for Technology in Education)  There will be a 1 st and 2 nd place winner in each category at the regional level.  Those projects will advance to the ACTE State Fair in Montgomery in April, 2014.

16.  Friday, February 27, 2014  This will be handled like a field trip. The cost for everything is $25. Make checks payable to Weaver Elementary School. This covers $15 to JSU for registration and does include lunch that day. $8 for a tech team t-shirt. $2 for the bus.  Any questions: Please e-mail me at brussell.we@calhoun.k12.al.us