Elementary School Program

Up to 60 students, teachers, parents and chaperones attend the 3-day program which focuses on computer hardware, parallel computing, programming, and networking. Included activities:

• Build a computer using Raspberry Pi, boot it, login, and navigate the computing environment.
• Learn how to use several lower powered computers to work in parallel to solve a bigger problem — part of a new addition to the curriculum on parallel computing.  A Raspberry Pi cluster demonstrates fractals.
• Gain understanding of software and programming concepts using iPads. Students are introduced to programming fundamentals like repeats and loops.
• Experience an overview of networking where students are asked to carry packets containing pieces of a poster to a destination location. Each packet is then opened and reassembled to reveal the final picture.

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Response & Feedback

The program received many appreciative comments through participant surveys at this year’s event in April 2026. Parents and teachers alike recognize the value of inspiring students through science and technology.

• “Days after the field trip, the students were still talking about how much they liked each of the activities.”
• “The combination of mental and physical exercise really helped the info stick.”
• “Getting to see the joy of understanding on kids’ faces. Also having bilingual scientists was very inspiring for the kids!”
• “I like the networking activity because of how physical it is and how clearly it shows how networking actually works and what it is.”
• “I think it is an incredible opportunity for our students. It is one of the events of the years my students enjoy the most.”
• “Team IT, you are THE BEST. This program is so great. I heard so much positive feedback and appreciation from parents.”
• “I just wanted to thank you all for the time and effort you put into organizing our visit to the lab. You all do an outstanding job.”

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Parent & Teacher Resources