Public Computing Center Update
Did you know Parks & Rec’s 24 public computing centers (PCCs) receive over 40,000 visitors a year? Many of these visits occur during summer, the PCCs’ busiest season.
Each summer, PCCs offer unique programs to campers at our rec centers and playgrounds. At the same time, they’re open to provide computer and internet access to the general public.
Here’s a look at some of the latest happenings in our PCCs:
STEAMIN’ along
STEAM/STEM Camps are underway at the PCCs at Tustin and F.J. Myers. Parks & Rec has been offering these popular camps for a number of years. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEAM adds “art” to the mix.
Both camps help participants learn these complex subjects through fun, hands-on activities.
Campers at F.J. Myers Rec Center learned to draw in their browser with Aggie.io. This is a collaborative painting app that allows students to create images, working with their friends, in real-time over the internet.
Other Tustin campers have been rehabilitating some old computer units. Computer instructor Nick Pegues taught campers how to clean and upgrade an old Dell Optiplex 780 with 16 GB of Corsair vengeance and a Nivida gtx 730 video card. If this doesn’t make any sense to you, apparently you didn’t attend a STEAM camp!
Campers at Tustin Rec Center have kept busy on a number of projects. Recently they have:
worked with music creation software
operated drones
polished programming skills with Arduino UNO
built a solar car and robot
Hats off to these aspiring— and inspiring— young campers!
Girl power!
At M.L. King Rec Center, this young lady learned how to use a mouse, log in, and shut down the computer. She was thrilled to learn how to do it, “without help from any of the boys!”
Interested in learning more? Read about six of the services our PCCs provide.
