Approximate Length: 1 hour
Description: Jump straight into programming with MIT's Scratch - an online platform to learn how to code using visual blocks. Go through, step-by-step, to make the cat move in a line and eventually a circle. Then transfer this knowledge into Python by writing your first Python program to do the same thing.
Requirements: A computer and browser with internet access for each participant. No programming experience required (MIT Scratch and Python). Tablets/iPads can work, but the experience is best with a desktop browser.
Notes: The workshop uses the online coding platforms MIT's Scratch and Trinket. The workshop utilizes the free tiers of these platforms to provide a no-mess approach to get started with programming.
Approximate Length: 1-1.5 hours
Description: A brief review of how Newton's Laws can be used to describe the motion of objects. Starting from Newton's 2nd Law, we will begin by discussing how to solve physics problems numerically. We will solve the motion of the simple pendulum numerically. We will then move on to experimenting with the double pendulum before closing on a discussion of chaos (as seen with the double pendulum). Finish by playing around with MinuteLabs' Chaotic Pendulum.
Requirements: A computer and browser with internet access for each participant. Little to no programming experience required (Python and JavaScript). Tablets/iPads can work, but the experience is best with a desktop browser.
Notes: The workshop uses the online coding platforms Trinket and p5.js. The workshop utilizes the free tiers of these platforms to provide a no-mess approach to get started with programming.
Approximate Length: 1.5-2 hours
Description: Starting from Newton's 2nd Law, we will begin by discussing how to solve physics problems numerically along with a brief review of vectors (vector addition, vector magnitude, and unit vectors). We then solve the motion of the two-body problem numerically before stepping up to the three body problem. We finish with a brief discussion of chaos. Finish by playing around with MinuteLabs' Chaotic Planets.
Requirements: A computer and browser with internet access for each participant. Some programming experience would be helpful (Python). Tablets/iPads can work, but the experience is best with a desktop browser.
Notes: The workshop uses the online coding platform Trinket. The workshop Trinket to provide a no-mess approach to get started with programming in Python.