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This is an article that talks about three important programs to make computer programming easy and fun.

This site offers free CAD software that can be downloaded to use in engineering designs.This site provides a history of the various CAD programs as well as explanations for the changes that occurred in production due to cost effectiveness, user capability, and design. The site also gives implications for future researchers by taking a look at the new wave of CAD programs and their ability to generate profits for techonology companies. A list of the top CAD programs are explained, and special attention is placed on the key features and capabilities of each program.

Great tool for kids computer programming.

Another great tool for middle and high school students

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the only student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of students interested in technology. Members apply and integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts through co-curricular activities, competitive events and related programs.

It is a blog on teaching computer science at the K-12 level. It covers a technology called Kodu which our SIG is planning to pursue. Kodu is a free and simple to use visual programming language from Microsoft designed to teach children how to make video games while practicing important skills. It introduces the logic and problem solving of programming without the complexity. Kodu builds real world skills while having fun by enabling students to build video games that require them to analyze problems, structure their logic and tell their story.

This site gives a quantitative list of the various CAD systems and their functions. CAD systems vary in speed and user capability. The site emphasis the importance of the reader to familiarize him/herself with an array of CAD systems. All of these programs are free of charge which makes it accessible for all users.

NetLogo is a programmable modeling environment for simulating natural and social phenomena. It is used by tens of thousands of students, teachers and researchers worldwide.

This site talks about the importance of using technology in all levels of education from elementary to secondary schools. The student's learning experience is enhanced through implementation of fun and comprehensive technology programs. Some of the tools used to create this fun learning experience are powerpoint and multimedia, which is used to help create lesson plans. Students can gain valuable computer skills using these tools to create dynamic webpages, projects, and designs. Teachers that integrate multimedia in their lesson plans can give their students a visual learning experience. Students who are exposed to these lesson plans have the opportunity to see engineering in a different light. Engineering is no longer seen as a tough and complex science, but rather a fun and exciting process which can be used to control and manipulate variables.

This site takes a look at ways to get students and educators excited about the field of engineering through a comprehensive yet fun engineering curriculum, low cost professional development and training for educators, and easy to use but powerful technology kit for students. The technology kit allows students to create engineering designs through the usage of their cellular phones, musical instruments, special effects in movies, and current internet applicatoins. This program removes the stigma of engineering being such a difficult science, and allows students and educators the opportunity to implement classroom training into everyday tasks and projects.

This is a science update podcast from Thinkfinity.org. It is a great example for our team to incorporate into our virtual library to demontrate a practical use of a computer program to study long-lost cultures of the past through an experiment in virtual archaeology.

The author of this blog really knows how to make engineering fun for kids. It contains links for engineering hands-on learning, competitions, and additional resources on computer programming for kids. A perfect resource for elementary to middle school learners.

A website managed by the University of Washington. It is a site that is mainly focused on the field of computer science, its importance, and career pathways. You can find movie clips of people who made computer science and engineering their career. They are good examples of computers scientists and engineers who don't sit behind their keyboards programming and designing the latest computer games or avatar. They are in hospitals, offices, and in classrooms. This resource will be used for the career pathway section in our project.