Programming Club

[Freyaday]

I'm thinking of starting a 83 series programming club at my school. Any suggestions/comments/ways to teach things? The goal here is to make more calc programmers and improve the existing ones.

[Ashbad]

One idea is to show them to this site here -- though only allow the ones you know won't troll to come.  This way, you all have a way to commuicate, not only with yourselves but also with an experienced community as well.

I would say go to a teacher and ask just how you can get one started -- then advertise!  Don't make it sound like 'Nerd Stuff' -- show pictures of awesome games like Starfox 84, ROL3, Trio and Niko: Falling etc., and also show some trig solvers and graphers as well -- appeal to everyone!  Show why calculator programming is the rage -- yuo can do it anywhere, it's much easier to set up a coding environment on calc rather than on a computer, and you can learn from this experienced community so you can start making games fast! 

good luck with the club -- advertising is the key to success

[jnesselr]

My only advice to you is to be able to know and understand those who think like a programmer, and don't invite people to the site immediately, but after a little while.  And yes, being a programmer is kinda a mindset.

[Freyaday]

I'm thinking about starting off things with a test to know who I'm dealing with. I'm leaning towards having the questions be all over the place. Thoughts?

[jnesselr]

I'm thinking about starting off things with a test to know who I'm dealing with. I'm leaning towards having the questions be all over the place. Thoughts?

Yeah, that would be good.  I wouldn't do this personally, as I know no one at my school would care.  This isn't just a small undertaking, either, mind you.

[Happybobjr]

I am starting one too.  It will be a first semester only club though.
I have a teacher too so it is "sponsored" by our school.
We have a Chess club/Rubix cube club, that is combined together.  Calc club will be joined with them for the 1st 1 or 2 years.

[Freyaday]

I'm thinking of making the test be "make a short program that best shows off your skills".