Services

Courses through the Center for Talent Development

The Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University offers a wide range of resources for gifted students and their families, including a variety of enrichment opportunities for students. Below I've listed courses I'm currently teaching there.

Upcoming Courses

AWES11-2-105 - Programming with Python

For students in grades 7-8
Course Description: Learn to design and build computer programs with Python, a programming language used in undergraduate computer science courses here at Northwestern. Python was the fastest growing computer language of 2010, and an important part of the development of Google. Development in Python is faster than development in Java or C++, and many Python programs run as efficiently as Java programs. Aside from commercial applications, Python is used for prototyping and for tying together modules of Java code or C++ code into a single application.
To learn more about Python: http://www.python.org/
Requirements: A math or reading score at the 95% or higher on a nationally normed test such as the ISATs or NWEA MAPs.
Course Dates: December 3, 2011 - December 4, 2011 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM
Location: Evanston, IL

Previous Courses

AWES11-2-100 - Robocode

For students in grades 5-6
Course Description: Learn Java programming through robot battles! Designed by a software engineer at IBM, Robocode is a an Open Source game designed to teach students Java by writing software that controls a miniature tank. Students are then able to "deploy" their robots to a battlefield where they compete against others in the class, and even worldwide. While an elementary robotic program can be written rapidly, good robots can have thousands of lines of code dedicated to strategy using statistical analysis. Strings, threads, trigonometic functions, ticks, loops, classloaders and more will be discussed and explored as students develop their programming skills.
Requirements: math or reading scores at the 95% or higher on a nationally normed test such as the ISAT or NWEA
Course Dates: October 15, 2011 - October 16, 2011 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM
Location: Flossmoor, IL

AWES10-1-114 - Building Dynamic Web Pages

For students in grades 7-8
Course Description:Building web pages is fun. Building web pages that actually do something is even more fun. In this course you will gain a basic understanding of PHP (a scripting language) and MySQL (a powerful database system you can access through a Web interface). You will use these tools to create web pages that can display current dates and times, collect and store information from users, or solve math problems.
Requirements: Qualifying Score: Reading or Math
Course Dates: April 2, 2011 - April 3, 2011 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM

AWES10-1-111 - StarLogo Technology

For students in grades 5-6
Course Description: Learn to build and program your own 3-D game using StarLogo TNG, a com puter programming and modeling envi ronment designed for students to build interactive 3-D games and simulations. Participants learn about programming, agent-based modeling and numerous com puter science concepts as they create their own games in this program. No previous programming experience is necessary — just bring a vivid imagination, lots of cre ativity and a willingness to experiment!
Requirements: Qualifying Score: Reading or Math
Course Dates: March 19, 2011 - March 20, 2011, 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM
Location: Elgin, IL

Mathematics for Computer Graphics

For students in grades 7-8
Course Description: Most computer games rely heavily on 2D or 3D graphics. As a result, most game programming requires some understanding of math, including geometry, trigonometry, vectors, matrices, 2D and 3D transforms and projections. They further develop their understanding of these mathematical concepts, as students learn to use the Logo programming language. With its turtle graphics and list-processing features, Logo allows participants to build and test programs that manipulate simple graphic objects.
Requirements:Subject Area: Math, Qualifying Score: Math
Course Dates:September 25, 2010 - September 26, 2010, 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM
Location:Naperville, IL

Statistical Research with NetLogo

For students in grades 7-8
Course Description:Explore NetLogo, a multi-agent programmable modeling environment used by students, teachers and researchers worldwide. Many areas of mathematics have important theoretical applications, but the field of statistics can be broadly applicable to daily life. Participants develop a deep understanding of probability and statistics as they explore computer-based models in everyday life, developed at Northwestern University's Center for Connected Learning (CCL) and Computer-Based Modeling.
Requirements:Subject Area: Math, Qualifying Score: Math
Course Dates:October 23, 2010 - October 24, 2010, 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM
Location:Evanston, IL

AWES10-1-108 - Exploration of Java Technology

For students in grades 7-8
Course Description: What do the Amazon Kindle, RuneScape, and Blu-Ray discs have in common? Java technology. Java is a cross-platform, object-oriented programming language used in countless applications and programs. Whether you are new to Java technology, the Greenfoot framework or an experienced user of either or both, this course is for you. Students with expe rience in these can extend scenarios they have already begun or create new ones. For those who are new, this course is a great introduction.
Requirements:Qualifying Score: Reading or Math
Course Dates:January 8, 2011 - January 9, 2011, 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM
Location: Evanston, IL
What's Next? Suggestions for further study
- The Center for Talent Development currently offers two Java courses, one at the Spectrum level (Introduction to Computer Programming Honors: Java), and one at the Equinox level (Computer Science A—AP designation pending).
- http://home.cc.gatech.edu/TeaParty
  This AWE weekend was a peek into this site and the following book: Wanda Dann, Stephen Cooper, and Barbara Ericson, Exploring Wonderland: Java Programming Using Alice and Media Computation (Prentice Hall, 2009).
- http://www.greenfoot.org/
  This site provides a free development environment called Greenfoot and online resources to help you get into game and simulation development with Java. There's also a great book for learning to use Greenfoot: Michael Kölling, Introduction to programming with Greenfoot: object-oriented programming in Java with games and simulations (Prentice Hall, 2009).

AWES10-1-109 - Alice Technology

For students in grades 5-6
Course Description: Students create virtual worlds and interac tive games with the 3-D programming tool Alice 2.0 by developing a sample project from the ground up. In this process they learn about object-oriented programming concepts and standard programming statements similar to those in Java, C++ and C#. By manipulating 3-D objects in Alice, students experience pro gramming constructs and gain experience with the Alice software applications and an understanding of object-oriented pro gramming (OOP). The ability to manipulate 3-D objects and animations in addition to the exposure to C++ and Java syntax results in the competence required to complete a virtual world project.
Requirements:Qualifying Score: Reading or Math
Course Dates:February 5, 2011 - February 6, 2011, 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM
Location:Lombard, IL

Summer Courses

Bits and Blocks

For students completing grades 4-5
Course Description: Have you wondered how you control every movement on the screen while playing video games? Programmers design the coordination of each and every possible move. Students unlock the mysteries behind the computer screen as they investigate fundamental concepts in computer programming. Using MicroWorlds software, students explore and test their ideas and develop their own 2-D multimedia projects and computer games, complete with animation, sound effects, movie clips, and music. This course encourages students to use their imagination and math skills, solve problems, and think creatively while developing simple computer programs. Students receive a copy of MicroWorlds at the conclusion of the course.
Note: Additional $150 lab fee required.
Requirements: Admission Criteria: ≥ 95% national percentile rank in math on standardized achievement test; EXPLORE test; or Admission Portfolio.
Course Dates: June 27, 2010 - July 16, 2010
Location: Evanston Campus
view syllabus

Bits and Blocks Level II, Exploring Recursion with LOGO

For students completing grades 4-5
Course Description:
Recursion is a power method used in computer science to break a problem down into simpler problems. In this course, recursion is used to solve puzzles, draw fractals, encode secret messages, translate sentences into Pig Latin, or simulate the growth of trees or the movement of animals. Students use Berkeley LOGO, a free development environment with special functions and features that will enable MicroWorlds users to take the next step in programming with LOGO. This course is great preparation for work with other list processing languages like Scheme, which is used in university computer science courses and is a valuable tool in computer science research.
Note: Additional $120 lab fee is required.
Requirements:
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Bits & Blocks course or equivalent
Admission Criteria: ≥ 95% national percentile rank in math on standardized achievement test; EXPLORE test; or Admission Portfolio.
Course Dates: July 18, 2010 - August 6, 2010
Location: Evanston Campus
view syllabus

Syllabi of Some Past Courses

I've taught all of the courses above at least once, some of them a number of times. Below are a few other courses I've taught in the past. If you're looking for someone to teach enrichment courses for your after school or distance learning program, please contact me at tj@tjleone.com or (847) 951-0127. The Center for Talent Development serves gifted kids, but I work well with kids at any performance level.

tjleone.com