(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Ocean County College is offering a suite of virtual STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) camps from January to August 2021 for children aged 8 to 14. The programs are provided via a partnership with Black Rocket, a national leader in STEAM education for children.
Classes are offered at a variety of times, both during the weekday and on weekends, with live instructors. In addition to the instructor, each class will have small break-out groups with Black Rocket coaches. Choose from age-appropriate courses in both the morning and afternoon. Topics include Video Game Design, Coding, Animation, Minecraft, Roblox, 3D Modeling, Esports, Virtual Reality and more.
“Parents are desperate for help and kids are lonely,” said Richard Ginn, CEO of Black Rocket. “After health and the economy, education is the third great need to address in this pandemic. At Black Rocket we are all parents, so we get it. We want to help Ocean County College empower kids to be creative and help moms and dads get a break for a few hours.”
To register for youth programs online, click here.
Minecraft Modders - Use your favorite game to learn the basics of modding and foundations of programming. Learn scripting and logic statements as you create your first mods! Introductory coding will also be taught through a simulated environment inspired by Minecraft. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students must own a Java version of Minecraft to take this class. Tablet, phone, and game console versions of Minecraft are not compatible. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years. Ages: 8-11 and 11-14. *Compatible with MAC and Windows OS only.
Virtual Reality: The Future is Now - Virtual RealityEmbark on an EPIC adventure in virtual reality! In this cutting-edge class, you will learn the foundations of VR design by creating your own virtual worlds, exploring simulated environments, and crafting memorable 3D experiences. VR projects can be viewed on a website or a mobile device. Students do not need a mobile device to take the class, but to use the VR headset a camper will need access to an Android or Apple mobile device. VR projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Ages 8-11 and 11-14. *There is an additional $11 lab fee per student for the VR Headset. *Compatible with MAC, Windows and Chrome OS.
Code Your Own Adventure! Interactive Storytelling - Code Your Own AdventureWatch as the characters in your imagination come to life in this unique course that blends classic storytelling with animation techniques and coding. Start with a concept, design the characters, and choose not just one ending, but many! Learn how to create your own text-based adventure games with variables, conditional logic, images, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Ages: 8-11 and 11-14. *Compatible with MAC and Windows OS only.
ROBLOX Makers - Roblox MakersUnlock the power of ROBLOX® Studio, the world creation tool used by real-world ROBLOX® developers! Learn how to build 3D models and create an adventure in your ROBLOX® world. Bring characters to life with unique animations you design. Student-created projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Ages: 8-11 and 11-14. *Compatible with MAC and Windows OS only.
eSports Apprentice – Streamers and Gamers - esports apprenticeWhether you want to be the next pro gamer, streamer, or gamecaster this course will teach you the basics to get started! No longer just a hobby, eSports is the fastest-growing career for the next generation. Over 400 million people watched YouTube videos and Twitch streams of video game competitions this year alone! In this course, students will develop game-play skills and compete using Black Rocket’s eSports games and apps, learn how to produce commentary for live tournaments, use professional streaming software, and most importantly practice online safety. Student recordings will be available on a password protected website to share with friends and family. Videos will not be broadcast publicly but will be shared with all students in the class. Ages: 8-11 and 11-14. *A webcam is required for this course Software is compatible with MAC and Windows OS only.
YouTube FX Masters - YouTube FX MastersIn the digital age, nothing is impossible! Become a master of illusion by learning the techniques used by Hollywood masters to create FX magic. Whether you want to enhance your YouTube videos or create a cool scene to amaze your friends; this class teaches the tools you need. Experiment with visual effects as you learn the dynamics of camera angles, editing, graphic layering, and sound effects. Then watch as your new creations take your channel content to the next level! Student projects are available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Ages 8-11 and 11-14 *A webcam is required, compatible with MAC and Windows OS only, and requires a 64-bit operating system.
