Alice Regional Challenge

Alice 3 Workshop�Welcome & Introduction�

Alice Challenge

Alice Challenge

A competition for students to create 3D animations, engaging games, and immersive experiences using the Alice programming environment.

Alice Challenge

goal of the challenge

Promote Computer Science education in the region ( community outreach )

• market the excitement of computer science through outreach and partnerships
• provide a motivating factor for students to engage in a computer science project

Professional development ( teacher workshops )

• provide opportunities for teacher professional development
• create a community of educators and students engaged in computer science education

Community visibility and outreach ( bootcamp )

• provide a community event to draw in partners and diverse students
• create avenues for direct volunteer and engagement between local groups and students

Celebrate student achievement ( award ceremony )

• Provide an opportunity to showcase and celebrate student achievement

Alice Challenge

impact of the Pittsburgh inaugural challenge

• Over 40 submissions from:
• 70 students (teams allowed!)
• 17 different schools and learning places
• 14 different zip codes across the region
• 10 judges in 6 categories
• Over 80 educators trained in Alice, 32 educators “sponsoring” submissions

Alice Challenge

professional development

Leverage excitement around the competition to partner with professional development organizations, intermediary units, and community outreach organizations to offer educator workshops. The inaugural challenge led to:

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• 7 one day workshops around the Western Pennsylvania area with 4 institutional partners
• 80 educators trained on Alice with a range of backgrounds and abilities.

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This created lasting institutional knowledge and partnerships for continued computer science educator training.

alice bootcamp

Alice Challenge

The Alice bootcamp is a student facing one day bootcamp that helps support and promote student engagement directly for participants and the community comprised of:

• Storytelling workshop
• Game design workshop
• Designing for social impact workshop
• Alice training and support

In the inaugural challenge the bootcamp enabled exciting partnerships with a local teen library space, local entertainment companies, and computer science professionals.

Alice Challenge

award ceremony

The award ceremony is an amazing opportunity to showcase the work of participants. It gives them a sense of accomplishment and pride. It also allows parent and teachers to see the excitement generated from the students engagement in their projects.

The inaugural challenge leveraged the prize packages to engage local businesses in support of the students work through cool prizes, gift cards, and unique tour opportunities for finalists and winners.