Program

2018 Workshops

Middle School - Grades 5 to 7

  • This workshop will discuss the world of cybersecurity and computer engineering. We will explore concepts of cyber espionage, code breaking, and hacking. Topics that will be discussed will include history of codes and ciphers, encryption and security technologies and how they work, famous ciphers, and other relevant cybersecurity topics The workshop will be extremely interactive and will challenge participants to crack codes like real cryptanalysts.
  • If you love to cook or eat food, you know that there are all sorts of gadgets to make it easier - but there are still so many problems to solve! Work with a product engineer to design a new tool for your favorite food, and build a prototype to test out your idea. This workshop looks at where product ideas come from and how they become real.
  • Have you ever wondered about the computer science and engineering behind keeping us safe online? In this workshop, you will learn about the different identity authentication methods used on smart devices and the Internet - in other words, when you log in to an account, how does it know that it is definitely YOU? Then, you will begin your journey to becoming a cybersecurity expert by learning how science and math are used to outsmart hackers!"
  • Architects are tasked with designing buildings, and engineers are tasked with making them stand up. Structural engineers are constantly presented with challenges of creating structural systems for new and existing buildings. They collaborate with architects to incorporate use and design into their proposed ideas. They work to ensure that buildings stand up to applied forces such as gravity, weight and weather. In this workshop we will be designing and constructing simple structures to support an increasing amount of weight. We will be working in teams to brainstorm and collaborate on ideas, build models, and present them for testing. Each group will have time to construct, and then reconstruct their models to stand up to the applied forces. Come ready to join forces with your fellow designers, engineers and builders to learn more about the intersection of structure and architecture.
  • Engineers tackle all sorts of problems and come up with solutions. Often these are practical and help to make our lives healthier and safer, but sometimes they can be silly and just for fun. In this workshop, you will design and build a treasure grabber that can move over a surface and pick up items along the way. Once constructed, you will test and modify it to prepare for a series of contests.
  • Every year, buildings around the world get taller and taller -- the tallest building under construction will top out at over 3,200 feet (that's a kilometer!). In this workshop, participants will work together in teams to build the tallest possible structure with a limited amount of resources. We will learn about some of the fundamental structural engineering concepts including load path and member forces, as well as other construction considerations such as collaboration and material efficiency.
  • Our cell phones have a flashlight mode but have you ever wished that you had earrings that glowed? Or perhaps your dog would benefit from a light up collar? Maybe you'd like a glow in the dark bookmark. In this workshop we will be exploring the use of LED lights. You are welcome to bring in an object you'd like to add some light to or you can utilize the cardboard and LEDs we supply.
  • Team up with your buddies to build a grumpy robot that knocks anything over that gets in its way! You will build the robot and then program it using software similar to Scratch. This session will be a fun and funny introduction to robotics!
  • Engineers have to work in teams in order to find solutions. In this workshop you will work with teams to learn how to approach solving a problem. You will learn about planning vs. prototyping when solving problems. You will also learn concepts to use when programming including thoroughness and debugging. These concepts will be explored through the use of two fun food challenges.


Upper School - Grades 8 to 12

  • In this workshop participants learn how 3D models are used as a design tool. Using the modeling tool, Rhinoceros, groups of students will be able to evolve the design of a model. They will also compare and contrast the analog and digital design process.
  • In this hands-on workshop, we will introduce the building blocks of computer programming by creating visual compositions using p5.js. As you draw repeating, translucent, mouse-following rectangles, lines, and circles, you will learn about variables, loops, if statements, and interactivity. This workshop is designed especially for beginners. Zero programming experience is expected.
  • Your local animal shelter is having an adoption event. They need to match hundreds of cats with potential owners, and they could use your help! In this workshop, you will learn about computer algorithms. What are they? How do you write an algorithm? And how can they be used to find a new home for every cat?
  • You enter a mysterious room and see two doors before you... Which do you choose? What lies beyond? In this workshop students will get the chance work with a CS undergrad to code up their own mini choose-your-own-adventure game and learn some cool programming concepts in Python
  • A passenger train collides with a highway truck at 60 mph causing the train to derail and dozens to be injured. You are called in the middle of the night and must go the accident site to piece together what happened. As you arrive on scene with your steel toe boots and hard hat, you must uncover the forensic evidence and stories that turn chaos and tragedy into knowledge and lessons learned.
  • What would your ideal city of the future look like? How would it impact the earth? What would it need to keep it going? In this workshop, we will design, discuss and redesign our ideas for future cities we want, while also ensuring they are sustainable. You will learn about the resources cities need and how they can obtain them without adversely impacting the earth and its inhabitants.
  • Do you know how computers run so fast? We expect computers to process information as quickly as possible so that we don’t have to spend a long time watching progress bars and the spinning wheel that appears when computers are thinking about something! This interactive workshop will teach you different ways computers work faster. Be prepared to get involved and up on your feet!
  • Most video games rely on the principle of conditional branching - the idea that specific actions will occur when certain conditions are met. In this workshop, you and a team will use this principle to design and code your own "Dungeon Escape" console game. Based on the choices that a player makes, they will either successfully escape or be doomed to roam the dungeon of your code...forever.

The Impact of W.I.S.E.

More than 850 girls have attended W.I.S.E. Over 75% of them said if an engineering course were offered at their schools, they would take it.  After attending W.I.S.E., more than half are considering college engineering programs.

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