Students mentored by Computer Science experts
By Sheri McNair
Library Media Specialist, O’Neill High School
Students at O’Neill High School in the Computer Science and Coding class are experiencing some amazing opportunities this year. The class focuses on collaborating with professionals in the computer science and video game field to provide real-world collaboration, applications, and experiences.
One such experience was conferencing in with Mark Wachen, owner of CardSnacks, the top-ranked ecard app in the App Store. Mr. Wachen spoke to students about his experiences in the computer science field, about the start-up and running of an online app, as well as e-card design elements. He then challenged students with their e-card design, bestowing a one-year subscription on the student that CardSnacks felt had the most creative and innovative e-card.
Students had to design and code their interactive e-card. Mr. Wachen was available for students to consult with if needed. In the end, there was a three-way tie — congratulations to Colby Hirtz, Rudy Pittman and Daniel Kimball III for their winning e-card designs. Faculty at O’Neill also weighed in. After interacting with the e-cards and focusing on consumer likeability, the faculty chose Rudy Pittman’s e-card to win the ‘O’Neill Consumer Choice Award’!
Students are also designing, coding, and building their own 2D retro video game and arcade cabinet.
A class visit by Mike Stulir, vice president of the American Classic Arcade Museum in Laconia, N.H., allowed students to hear from an industry professional about his experience as a co-developer of Atari Flashback Retro Consoles. Students also learned about the history of arcade and video games as an anticipatory set for the start of their retro arcade game unit.
Prior to starting the unit, students interacted with over 50 retro arcade games at Yestercades in Westfield, N.J., in order to study retro arcade game design. This trip was thanks to the generosity of Walmart and their Walmart Community Grant.
During the trip, students played and studied 70s & 80s classics such as Asteroids, Defender, Missile Command, Centipede and Space Invaders. They also studied game controllers and their impact on the quality of play.
Students will have the ability to reach out to Mr. Stulir during their design phase to ask questions about retro game design should they need to.
At the end of this unit, O’Neill faculty, students, parents and administrators will be invited to a Retro Arcade featuring music from the 70s and 80s that will be set up in the O’Neill library. All will be able to play the student created arcade games, provide feedback, and vote for the next O’Neill Consumer Choice Award winner!
Looking forward, the students’ spring project will be to design, code, 3D print, and build their own mini drone.
(Editor’s Note: Mrs. McNair teaches the Computer Science and Coding class, which has 12 students of all grade levels this semester and will have 15 next semester. MJP)