We started early in January (I wish we had started somewhere around October) and it has been a great experience. The kids are working on something that has a distinct purpose and the competition part of the task seems to spur them on. We will be entering the Multimedia Mania competition with this work as well.

I am keeping them motivated by adding some "perks" to the project. We will be visiting a military museum to enhance their battle research (during school time), the students will be recording WW One soldier diary entries (using their voices) and we will be embedding the sound files into their web page, we will have a work bee one evening after school (and will order in pizza) and if we need the time we might even have a CyberFair sleepover at the school so we can meet the March 21st deadline. I have a feeling that when I offer this club again next year, I will have a larger number of students respond!

As participants in CyberFair 2003, the students will be required to evaluate several entries to this competition. Over the past two years I have had my students do this (I haven't ever entered the competition before this year) and it is a really worthwhile exercise. Kids use the CyberFair rubric and it really makes them think about what constitutes a quality web page. Last year I wrote an article for Education World about this student evaluation activity. if you'd like to read it, go to:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues314.shtml

Here is a link to the CyberFair web site:
http://www.gsn.org/CF/index.html
Brenda Dyck

We have done an on-line project that involved spreadsheets, and are currently working on Office basics and tricks.

I am in the process of having them go to one of the sites out there that will let them play with telerobots and telescope manipulation...just for fun.

We will be doing a bit of browser configuration on the lab computers this week.

I am thinking of taking a different approach next year. I may use the club as a technology basics club that would meet for 12 weeks and then end. Then a new group of students could start for the next 12 weeks and so on. I would like to teach the basics of computing using the Office products and Inspiration which we have on the network here. Many of my students don't have the skills they need when we go to the lab, and we don't have tech classes during the day.

I might also have some of that time for keyboarding since many can't type either.

Our web site is:

http://www.dowlingcentral.com/techteam.html

Laura J. Dowling

We have had several computer clubs over the past 2 years.  We have had Computer Crafts, Intro to the Internet, Games, Games, & More Games, Science Fair Help, WebQuests, and Keyboarding (each session lasted six weeks).

Jennifer Wagner

I have had pretty good luck with some of the following topics.

1.) Create your own web site. Introduction to web design. Use various tools including Microsoft FrontPage, JASC Paint Shop Pro (also included Animation Shop) and Sonic Foundry's editing and music creation software programs. For the younger kids, Web Workshop Pro by Magic Mouse Productions, Flying Colors (by the same company) and Super Dooper Music Looper by Sonic Foundry. These three basic tools allow pupils to create a very rich site.

2.) 5th graders last year created a CD of original music created with Sonic Foundry's Acid Express music creation software (free). The software allows them to record their voice over the music so some pupils added voice tracks. I burned an audio CD when they were finished. We used Publisher to create CD covers and Stomper35 to create CD labels.

3.) I am a strong believer in Stagecast Creator (www.stagecast.com). This program allows children to create virtually any kind of computer game or simulation they can imagine. Combined with the graphics and sound programs mentioned above, they are able to create some very sophisticated programs. I guarantee you once the kids see this program you will have to get out of the way and let them do their thing.

John Orban