An initiative of the Office of Development

Volume 3, Issue 1 January 2015

An initiative of the Office of Development

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding”

~Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV)~

Bootstrap Computer Gaming and Algorithm Class

Bootstrap Computer Gaming Algorithm and Career En-richment Program is a pilot program developed for 7th grade students through the Black Data Processing Asso-ciates (BDPA). BDPA is an international organization with a diverse membership of professionals and stu-dents at all levels in the fields of information technology, computer science and related Science, Technology, Engi-neering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. This year BDPA celebrates its 40th anniversary in Washington, DC.

The Bootstrap Computer Gaming and Algorithm Career Enrichment Program is designed to teach students how to develop a video game that can be played on their mo-bile devices. Students enrolled in the program learned game design, software development and conducted op-erational research on related fields to computer gaming (e.g. Graphic Designers, Information Technology Spe-cialists, Computer Gamers, Technical Writers). As a natural by product of the program, students learned how to develop product documentation. The students compiled a report that included an abstract, program overview, research results, their corresponding budget and bibliography. The students were taught basic MS Word functions including page and section breaks, out-lines, styles, headers, footers, page numbering, cross referencing and many more. Students were taught basic presentation skills. At program completion the students presented their work to their peers, school administra-tion, faculty and teachers. They employed MS Power-Point to develop their end of program presentations. Furthermore, the students were taught the relevance of the skills they gained as well as how to translate those skills into real world occupations and career fields. Stu-dents developed an actual monthly budget to introduce principles related to the relationship between salary and monthly and annual living expenses - correspondingly, the same relationship as it relates to choosing a career path to sustain their desired lifestyle.

The participants in this exciting program were Ann-Terese Arreyako, Sky Atakoussok, Kameron Brazille and Mwaka Chilufya. These students created an indi-vidual game with their own players, dangers and tar-gets. The five month program met on Monday and Sat-urday and was taught by Ms. Carol Bell, BDPA Hunts-ville Chapter President, CEO of Spencer Cole, LLC and the Bootstrap Computer Gaming and Algorithm Career Prep Curriculum Developer; Miss Tiffany Tickles, pro-

gram assistant teacher and Dr. Everett Roper, program teacher.