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The Winchester High School Creative Technology Center is a place in the WHS Library for students and staff to come together, share ideas and come up with creative problem-solving solutions. The room is designed to be flexible – with mobile furniture. The space is a combination of a lab, workshop and collaborative conference space which can be utilized by students and staff from different content areas, fostering a multidisciplinary way of thinking, and learning. This student-driven, creative space is equipped with tools that will help to aid students into hands-on learning approaches. Our goal is to help students to acquire collaborative strategies, critical thinking skills, and technical competencies in order to become independent life-long learners. The space is equipped with high end technology such as Mac workstations, HD video cameras, green screen, 3-D printers,and a sound studio with mixing boards, audio software and microphones. The Creative Technology center is research driven and encourages work at the intersection of culture, education, design and technology. This year, ITS Specialist Kathleen Grace, Art Teacher Paul Hackett and I developed the CTC Lecture and workshop series. The idea behind the lecture series is to engage students and staff through presentations and workshops that cross the boundaries of disciplines and include creative uses of technology. In addition, students developed their own research projects.
One student used the Xbox Kinect to create gesture controlled music. By utilizing multiple platforms and reaching out to developers she was able to successfully utilize a combination of software to produce gesture controlled sound.
Students used the XBox Kinect to create gesture controlled music as part of an original research project.
Students also had the opportunity to work with Broadway producer and expert on the interactive projection software Isadora, Jared Mezzocchi. The CTC obtained a copy of Isadora and students were able to customize projections. These project-based learning opportunities allow students to question, research and complete independent projects using technology found in the CTC.
Students attended a series of workshops given by Musical Mad Scientist, Andrew Hylnski on Abelton Live Software. During these lectures students learned how to effectively use the Ableton Live software and also learned about the physics of sound. Students have been using their new knowledge to create a score called The Sounds of Winchester High School.
Learning about the physics of sound with Andrew Hylnski at a CTC workshop
CTC students also created the Shrek Dragon for the school play. Students researched, designed, and built a 10 foot dragon puppet to be used in this years production of Shrek. Art and engineering skills were needed in constructing the dragon puppet.
CTC students pose with the 10-foot dragon puppet constructed for the production of Shrek.
We were able to run the following lectures and workshops:
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