Scratch Day 2011–a Marin teacher uses Scratch to teach kids programming and make animation child’s play

Scratch is a free software developed at M.I.T. and funded by the National Science Foundation, Microsoft, Google and Intel.  It runs on both Windows and Mac operating systems and that features drag and drop programming for creating 2D animation and games *AND* it is all the rage in schools across the country because it is very easy to install and use and allows anyone to create and share their own interactive stories, games, music and art.  Last Saturday, May 21, 2011 was Scratch Day, a worldwide network of gatherings that at last count included over 126 events in 36 countries where people came together to learn, share and “scratch” together.  Alfia Wallace who runs the computer lab at Dixie School in Marin held a North Bay Scratch Day seminar at Dixie School’s computer lab and sent me this video.   Alfia is always on the forefront to introduce  new technology into the schools and delights in the challenge of dealing with dozens of boisterous students who descend on her computer lab on a regular basis to learn and have some fun.   Want to know how to build a program that brings life to a giant burrito…ask Alfia Wallace and she will assist with the Scratch code can empower almost any project.   Whether it’s art or not is entirely in the eye of the creator.  She also founded and runs the Marin Science Seminar, a Wednesday evening lecture program at Terra Linda High School for high school students and their parents that brings distinguished and fascinating scientists in as speakers who share their knowledge with the students about some aspect of their profession in a very engaging way.