DATE: Thursday, March 24, 2016
FROM: 7:00pm-9:00pm
WHERE: Torpedo Factory Art Center (directions below)
The Washington DC chapter of ACM SIGGRAPH is honored to present, an evening with Paras Kaul and the Boolean Girl Project. Paras Kaul (paraskaul.onair.cc) is world recognized as a leader in her field of experimentation with brain to computer interface technologies (BCI) for interactive gaming —intended to train the brain for learning and rehabilitation. The Boolean Girl Project helps fill a gap, which exists in technology fields today, a lack of female programmers. Paras will discuss this gap then demonstrate the system used in Boolean Girl classes along with the MIT Scratch language which allows for the creation of interactive stories, games, and animations.
Paras Kaul will present her teaching experience with The Boolean Girl Project — a project designed to give young girls the opportunity to learn basic programming skills and empower them to pursue technology careers with the confidence and passion to express their creativity in professions related to information technology. Bridging STEM and STEAM education, The Boolean Girl Project lays a foundation for girls to become programmers and engineers by creating multiple avenues for learning technological and engineering skills.
Paras will introduce you to the computer system used for animation in after-school enrichment classes. The system uses Raspberry Pi — the popular, miniaturized computer that is priced around $35.00. Girls use Scratch animation software, which is free downloadable software developed at MIT for kids to learn visual programming. Part of The Boolean Girl Project has been to configure a computer system that is affordable for girls to continue developing their skills at home after they have completed Boolean Girl classes. The Raspberry Pi is great for learning to program animated stories and games using Scratch and advancing to Python programming in the advanced classes. In these classes, girls learn to control lights and speakers and to build electronic devices like alarm systems and game controllers.
Please join us on Thursday, March 24, 2016 from 7pm to 9pm at the Torpedo Factory Art Center to see Raspberry Pi in action, to learn about Scratch, and to discuss the importance of having girls with the skills and resources to pursue opportunities in computing fields.
LOCATION:
Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-838-4565
www.torpedofactory.org
Directions:
The Torpedo Factory Art Center is located at the intersection of King Street and N. Union Street in Old Town Alexandria
http://torpedofactory.org/visit/directions/
Paid parking is available across the street from the Torpedo Factory or you can take the free trolley from the King Street metro center. Paid street parking is available in most areas of Old Town Alexandria. There is limited free parking in nearby residential areas, but it is restricted to two hours. There are several garages within walking distance of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, too. For real-time maps to locate parking in garages, visit the ParkMe website or download their free iPhone app. Parking regulations are strictly enforced by the City of Alexandria. Parking is free after 9 pm, on Sundays, and on state holidays. Persons with proper handicapped identification on their cars may park free at any meter and are exempt from residential parking sticker requirements.
Trolley Information: