If you ask the children about their previous experiences with and knowledge of the computer in general, one thing becomes particularly clear: Surfing the Internet and computer games are at the top of their lists. After today, their answers will certainly be different. The reason for this is most likely the two exciting workshops with the humanoid 'Nao Robot' and the driving drone 'Jumping Sumo', who took on a creative approach to make the children familiar with programming.
Loads of fun trying things out and discovering new things
The small 'Nao Robot' introduced himself personally in the beginning and the children were totally thrilled. With the many sensors on his body and a built-in sonar, the human-like robot offered many possibilities for visual programming. The children quickly learned to understand the relationships between the robot's various actions and the underlying programming and they were soon able to interact with the robot and to complete various choreographies.
In the workshop "Jumping Sumo", the children taught the drone a number of feats. In addition to jumps as high as 80 cm, they programmed a sequence of actions by means of a route plan and were thus able to deliberately control the drone.
"Regarding JavaLand4Kids, it is especially important to us that the children learn how to handle computers creatively and that they get an insight into how the technology works, instead of just using it," emphasizes Uwe Sauerbrei, who helped organizing the JavaLand4Kids and who, as a Head of the Java User Group Hamburg, also steps up for the interests of adult Java programmers.
The headmaster of the Hans Christian Andersen School in Sankt Augustin, Jörn Diercks, who accompanied the pupils, was enthusiastic about the concept: "The children certainly had a lot to take away from what they learned and especially from their enthusiasm for the technologies." Thanks to the book gift 'Java for Kids' published by mitp, each of the children can consolidate their knowledge later on.
Meeting the "big ones"
A special highlight for the children was the final presentation of their learning success before a prominent audience. With Stephen Chin, a real rock star from the Java scene was announced to say hi to the young programmers.
"After the successful premiere last year, this year's event showed that the JavaLand4Kids is the right way to introduce children to the latest technologies. This is supported not only by the enthusiasm and curiosity of the participating girls and boys, but also by the hope to be able to deal better with skills shortage in IT by means of an early promotion," concluded Fried Saacke, Chairman of the iJUG interest group within the Java User Groups e. V., and he seemed very pleased. As now an integral part of the JavaLand Conference, the event will be performed again next year.
JavaLand4Kids was organized by the DOAG in cooperation with the iJUG as part of the JavaLand, a conference for Java developers that takes place annually at the Phantasialand. This year, more than 1,200 participants are expected.
