Outreach Modules
This page provides you with brief descriptions of our outreach modules. The goal of our outreach events is to introduce computer science concepts and increase interest in computer science among K-12 students.
We base the programming activities across our lesson plans on Alice 2.5 from Carnegie Mellon University.
Please email us at storytelling@montana.edu to request modules and Alice starter worlds.
Bring the Page to Life!
In this outreach module, students use Alice to animate a page from a picture book or story. This module introduces the students to computer science, and in particular, to the concept of an algorithm. The module is designed to be open-ended to allow for creativity of the students. In the past, we have used a variety of pages for this activity, ranging from Garfield and Alice and Wonderland cartoons to stories from the Indian Reading Series.
Hoop & Arrow
In this outreach module, students use Alice to play Hoop and Dart, a game from the Salish tribe that traditionally helped boys to develop the skills necessary for hunting small game. A hoop is tossed to roll quickly across the ground, and the boys try to throw their darts through the hoop's netting. Other tribes, such as the Pend d'Oreille had a similar game. This module introduces students to computer science and, in particular, to the concept of an event. An event in this game is a key press that either starts the hoop rolling or throws the dart.
Make them Dance!
This outreach module begins by reading the story of How Daylight Came to Be, a story from the Skokomish tribe.In the story, Bear and Ant have a dance competition. Students will develop code to animate this dance while also learning about event-driven programming.
The Story of the Seasons
In this outreach module, students guide the activity's leader through the process of animating a world that tells the Story of the Seasons, a story from the Warm Springs tribe. This activity provides students a gentle introduction into some basic computer science concepts while also providing a lesson on storytelling as a part of American Indian heritage in Montana and around the country.