Summer Camp/Brochure
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The Western State College Computer Camp
Explore math. Hike in the mountains. Learn about computing. Try rock climbing. Enjoy the challenge of building your own video game. Go rafting. Be creative. Our students will do it all at the Western State College Math and Computer Science summer camp.
Our camp provides a unique and challenging program for High School Juniors. We combine an opportunity to use math and computer skills to create your own video game with the exceptional outdoor activities that only the Colorado high country can provide. For five days you'll learn about mathematics and computer science while building 3-D virtual worlds. Even people who have never written a computer program will be able to construct interesting and exciting interactive adventures. Our curriculum explores topics such as geometric modeling, algorithmic music, autonomous character behaviors, physics, and computer graphics in a manner than makes learning exciting and fun. We use state of the art game technology to convey fundamental principles of math, physics, and computer science. You'll get individual attention from our staff - the camp is taught by college faculty and assisted by math and computer students who will help turn your ideas into reality.
You'll also get an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy some of the finest mountain recreation Colorado has to offer. Each day will combine academic and recreational activities, including hiking, rafting, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Our unique combination of college level instruction and outdoor adventure makes this a one of a kind experience.
We're still filling in some of the blanks here - please forgive any omissions. Send comments to mailto:jpeterson@western.edu
Who is This Camp For?
Our camp is for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing math or computer science in college. We're looking for young people who will appreciate both the academic and recreational aspects of our camp. Our students should have an affinity for math and technology, think logically and creatively, and be willing to work and play hard. No prior computing experience is required but students should have good marks in their math courses to qualify.
Schedule
Our camp will run between Sunday, June 25 and Saturday, July 1. Students need to report by 4pm on the 25th and must check out Saturday morning. Saturday will include a reception for parents and a chance for students to show off their programs. All meals between Sunday evening and Saturday morning are covered by the tuition.
Why Video Games?
Essential ideas in math and computing can be conveyed in an interactive and creative manner when games are brought into the classroom. Video game engines can be used to build a wide variety of virtual realms: action oriented games, simulated worlds, mathematical puzzles, or movies featuring animated characters. We'll learn how to describe the appearance, behavior, and interactions of characters in a virtual setting. Even if you don't really like real video games you'll enjoy the challenge of using math and computing to build your own world. And when you're done you'll have software you can share with your friends and family.
Software and Computing Facilities
All of the software used in our camp is open source, freely available to all. You can take all software home with you at the end of the camp. If you have your own Windows laptop you will be able to use it if you prefer that to the campus computers.
Math and Computer Science
Our curriculum addresses general skills rather than specific learning objectives. Our goal is to give students an appreciation of math and computing that will generate interest and enthusiasm. We don't teach to a specific programming language or focus on a single mathematical area. We cover a variety of topics and technologies. Our goals are to:
- Develop artistic and creative skills in a rigorous way: students will use math to describe the artistic aspect of video games.
- Develop mathematical intuition and understanding of the physical world: how to describe realistic physical behaviors, create characters and scenery using 3-dimensional modeling, understand coordinate systems and trajectories. We provide an intuitive introduction to trigonometry and calculus.
- Explore real computer science: game characters are described in a simple, rigorous computer language constructed specifically for instructional purposes. You will program these characters to react to their environment and game controls. We also explore general patterns of behavior designed for groups of autonomous characters. For example, you can create a realiztic flock of birds with a few simple rules and watch them fly through your own landscape. We touch on topics from basic ideas in programming to geometric design to computer graphics to artifical intelligence as the week progresses.
Outdoor Recreation
Gunnison is in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Within minutes from campus are opportunities for hiking, rafting, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The Western State College outdoor program provides equipment, training, equipment, and leadership for our recreational activities. All of our recreational activities are suitable for novices but there will also be opportunities for more advanced activities if you have prior experience.
Staff
This camp is taught by the faculty of the math and computer science departments. Dr. John Peterson, Dr. Andy Keck, and Dr. Dan Schuster have designed the curriculum and will be teaching the class. They will be assisted by students from the Western State math and computer science departments. With a ratio of 4 or fewer students for each staff member, we will be able to give individual attention to every student.
Tuition
Cost: $450, including meals, lodging, and recreation.
We will need a non-refundable $50 deposit when a student is accepted for the camp. The full cost is payable one month in advance. If the class fills up we will place students on a waiting list without cost.
Applications are taken by email; forms will be available soon.
Scholorships
We are committed to bringing a diverse set of students into our camp. Scholarships are available for qualified students who cannot afford tuition. If you are interested in the camp and would like to apply for a scholorship, we will have a scholorship application online soon. This will cover tuition but not transportation to and from Gunnison.
Transportation
Gunnison is about 4 hours from Denver. See the campus visitors information for more about our location. We are easily accessable by air and will be happy to pick students up at the airport.
Contact
For further information, please contact Dr. John Peterson (jpeterson@western.edu) - (970) 943 2392
Further information can be found on our departmental home page, http://www.western.edu/computerscience/
Pictures
We don't have any good pictures yet but the game engine we're using has an extensive gallery:
Good pictures of the recreational opportunities around Gunnison are found at the Wilderness Pursuits.
