We are considering adding some new options to the Student Originated Software program next year. If we hear from enough interested students by Friday, May 5th, we will admit students without previous programming experience who want to work as team members on year-long multimedia computer projects as well as students who want to continue to work toward careers in computer science/software engineering and want to work on programming projects. The program needs to generate several student projects in scientific applications as a result of our winning several big grants for developing student work in scientific databases and visualization, so we would also be happy to talk with interested science students even if they don't have any programming experience. All students would participate in a shared seminar on design and computing, study techniques for managing large scale project development, and be expected to maintain a full year commitment as a member of a student team creating a project for real clients. However, students would have a choice of two technical strands. In the fall, students could work on Object Oriented Programming using Smalltalk or learn Hypercard and Hypertalk scripting for multi-media. In the winter, students could learn about database systems, or about multi-media design and development tools (Photoshop, QuickTime, etc.). We would expect some consulting back and forth between groups on team projects. Students working on multi-media could help with design and graphics issues on software engineering projects, and students from the programming group could help multi-media teams with advanced programming needs (writing XCMDs and XFCNs as needed, for example.) In fact, some teams might include both multi-media and programming students.
For more information, or to sign up, contact Judy Cushing by e-mail (judyc@evergreen.edu), or by voice mail (X6652). You can look at a WORKING DRAFT of our academic fair handout too.
Yours, Thad Curtz and Judy Cushing