A couple months ago I attended two classes at a new computer school for kids, called FUTUREKIDS. It is basically a computer literacy teaching program for kids but adult classes are also available. At FUTUREKIDS, computer experts teach kids the newest and most modern technology of the constantly growing line of computers. During the two classes that I attended, I must say that I learned an awful lot about computers, including how to disassemble (and then reassemble) a CPU all on my own in a matter of minutes. At FUTUREKIDS, there are tons of classes that you can take, each teaching essential skills necessary in the constantly growing world of computers. I sampled different parts of each class to see what I enjoyed and found interesting.
Some of the things I did incorporated the latest technology and software available for computers. First, I built miniature Lego objects (cars, cranes, elevators, etc.) using sophisticated motors, lights, and just about everything else that you can think of. After I had finished my creation (samples of Lego™ models are displayed in a book of all the things that you can make), I hooked the motors, lights, and everything up to the computer through a circuit board. Then, using the mouse, I clicked on an icon on the computer screen (using the Lego software), and wrote down a command. I set the seconds that my object would run for, and pressed Enter on the keyboard. Immediately electronic impulses flowed from the computer to the Lego setup, and my Lego car started up and began driving across the carpet, lights flashing and wheels turning. I fooled around with the car until I had finally installed a large spinning fan in the front. My computer instructor then insisted that I place plastic Lego men in front of the spinning blades, to get dashed to bits. I issued a command, and off it went. This was a fun experience, but I also learned a few things on how electronics and computers function together, and even a little bit about cars.
As I mentioned before, I also got to take a CPU apart and put it back together myself. Before I had taken this lesson, I had absolutely no idea how CPUs were put together, or how each of the many organelles functioned together as a whole. Now I feel more confident about how these things work, and how each individual piece is placed in the CPU and what its function is. Now if my CPU broke down, I could maybe take it apart and take a look at things. Who knows, maybe I could fix something. At least now I have the confidence to even take a look! At FUTUREKIDS, Internet classes are also available (obviously I didn't take any—I'm the WWWiz Kid!), and can get you using the Web in a matter of hours. FUTUREKIDS definitely has a lot to offer, and if you are interested in computers and the many ways in which they can be used, then you should definitely give FUTUREKIDS a try. I took the class at the new store in Anaheim Hills, California, just off Weir Canyon Road, and I highly recommend it. However, there are over 1200 locations worldwide.
Other FUTUREKIDS Topics
Classes Taught at FUTUREKIDS
Teaching Kids Computer Literacy