[DC LoCo] Ubuntu novice hoping to start up kids club in local school

[Jason Blum]

Good Morning!

Brian, Kevin and Daniel, it was great to meet you guys at the monthly
meeting the other night.

Just to close the loop on this, someone directed us to the
http://CoderDojo.com movement's "Open Source" template for setting up a
computer club like this, and so we're moving forward with
http://CoderDojoDC.com.

Other CoderDojo's don't seem to place much emphasis on Linux, but I know I
want to make salvaging, using and even donating old computers with Ubuntu a
central theme.  When we get up and running, I hope maybe some folks from
this community can make it out to help provide support, evangelism, etc.

Meantime we're looking for regular space with great WIFI, teachers of
Scratch, HTML, Python, Linux (and eventually Maker stuff like Arduinos,
Makey Makey, 3D printing, etc.)

So hope to see folks join and please pass on to anyone you think might be
interested.

Thanks

-Jason



On Sat, Oct 27, 2012 at 8:52 AM, jerry w <jerrywone at gmail.com> wrote:

> I guess some of the models to consider are:
>
> OLPCLearningClub.org
>
> and the
> Scratch Days
> RobotFest.com events
>
> While not specific to Ubuntu (Sugar is on Fedora,
> though some have tried porting it, with limited success),
> though there is cross membership and leadership,
> One Laptop Per Child is a kids computer (the famed
> $100 goal price computer) on the 2 million
> machines out there level, mostly internationally.
>
> Scratch and OLPC are MIT Based or originated,
> and RobotFest is a local event that became a
> Mini Maker Faire over the years.
>
> There is also the Science and Engineering Festival
> and FIRST Robotics, along with RobotFest
> which are rather military based, If You Ask Me,
> as in fund kid stuff to develop for defense contractors,
> though the applications are not limited to that...
>
> YMMV
> (the views expressed don't necessarily align
> with the organizations described)
>
>
> On Sat, Oct 27, 2012 at 6:26 AM, Jason Blum <jason.blum at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I've just made the switch to Ubuntu from a Mac and loving it.  I've been
> a
> > ColdFusion programmer for the last ten years (don't laugh) but also
> switched
> > recently to Python.
> >
> > I also have four kids, the oldest two (9) I am keen on getting
> comfortable
> > with Linux (thru EduBuntu I guess?), Scratch, Python, or at least
> > touch-typing, etc.  I'm thinking about partnering up with other parents
> > perhaps to start up a bi-monthly computer club in their school.  With one
> > daughter, I'd especially like to aim for half the club members to be
> girls.
> > I've already emailed our local PTA list and heard back at least a dozen
> > parents who wanted their kids to join, but were unable to bring any
> > technical expertise.
> >
> > Anyway just touching base and wondering if you have any recommendations
> on
> > resources or other folks who might like to team up.  I've clicked around
> > your site and meeting minutes and found http://spreadubuntu.org/ and
> the DC
> > Mini Maker Unfaire.
> >
> > I think my main concern is how to advise parents on an inexpensive
> laptop to
> > throw Ubuntu on.  I'm a little spoiled with a System76 and have only
> tried
> > installing it myself on an old HP laptop, where I've only run up against
> one
> > issue after another.  I don't feel qualified to support a club of parents
> > and kids who have presumably even less experience...
> >
> > I guess one thought for promoting Ubuntu in schools, might be for you
> more
> > experienced folks to mentor a parent like myself through an install
> party or
> > a couple meetings until the club gets rolling, after which the parent can
> > take over, and report back to your group regularly?
> >
> > Oh my school btw is the new
> > http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/singeres/ in Silver Spring.
> >
> > Anyway greetings and just wanted to say hello.
> >
> > -Jason Blum
> > Silver Spring, MD
> >
> > --
> > Ubuntu-us-dc mailing list
> > Ubuntu-us-dc at lists.ubuntu.com
> > Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-dc
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Jerry W
>
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