Virtual Reality (VR) is technology that allows a user to interact with a computer simulated environment using hand-held remotes and a headset. In VR, you can see and interact with things that seem like they're right in front of you, even though they're not really there. It's like going on an exciting adventure without leaving your classroom or home. VR allows one to experience virtual worlds in more physically tangible ways than standard computer games.  There are two types of VR: Immersive and Non-Immersive VR. In Non-Immersive VR, you interact with an environment on a computer screen using controls like a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen, or joystick. On the other hand, Immersive VR gives you access to a fully simulated environment via special wearable sensory devices, like a head-mounted device or special goggles and remotes.

Handout for the VR Activity

Design your own controller with everyday materials like playdough or graphite pencils.

Control your favorite Scratch game while you learn to code!

Handout for the Makey Makey activity 

VEX robots are an introductory step to coding.  They allow the user to play with the steps of coding in a physical, hands-on form.  Make a path for the robot to travel with the push of a few buttons!

The BBC micro:bit is a small computer that helps you learn about how software and hardware can be used together. It's like a tiny computer that fits in your pocket! It has a screen that can show different patterns with lights, buttons that you can press, sensors to detect things around it, and other features that allow it to interact with you and the world around you. By programming the micro:bit, you can make it do cool things and make it respond to your commands. It's a fun way to explore and understand technology!

Handout for the Microbit Activity

The Game Builder Garage game for the Nintendo Switch teaches you how to make your own customizable 3-D video game! Interactive lessons teach you how to program a game using animated building blocks of code.  It’s fun for both new and lifelong coders!

Handout for the Game Building Activity

These little robots can be controlled via iPad to roam around the room! Change the ball’s light with the color-gradient selector and use the touch direction control to steer the robot around the room!  Weave through your own obstacle course, or race with a partner!

Handout for the Sphero Mini Ball Activity Sphero Mini Ball activity

Build a programmable robot out of Lego bricks! Follow the instructions in the design booklet to build one of 5 different projects, then with the Robot Inventor App, you can build a program to watch them come to life! 

Handout for the Lego Mindstorm Activity

Snap circuits are an educational electronics kit designed to introduce people to the basics of electrical engineering in a hands on way. In the Explore Coding version, various functioning circuits can be built using lights, fans, sirens, recording and playback, series and parallel circuits to model the coding process. In the Arcade version, there are over 200 different projects involving interactive games, a programmable word fan, a tri-color light orb, and a dual-LED display.