1. Invent the Future
Introduce yourself and tell students in the session that today they will learn about computing and participate in an activity that helps them understand how computers work. When you leave they will have resources to use to explore their interests.

2. “I do not fear computers.
I fear the lack of them.”
- Isaac Asimov ( )
Have a student read this quote aloud and ask: What did he mean? Discuss the quote. (For reference, Isaac Asimov is a famous science fiction writer and the author of hundreds of works, including I, Robot.)

3. About Your Presenter TEMPLATE…
ADD BULLETED TEXT ABOUT:
INTERESTS
HOBBIES
CAREER
EDUCATION
FUN FACT
ETC.
ADD PICTURES OF YOU DOING SOMETHING FUN OR EXCITING, like on vacation, traveling, sky diving, hiking, swimming, in a Halloween costume, etc.
TEMPLATE
Theme: Your work and how you arrived at it. Briefly tell students about the work you do. Describe how your interests drove your education and work choices. If you had a formative experience in youth that influenced you, describe that as well. If you followed an alternate path, or if your work bridges technical and other domains, describe. Slide image ideas - You at play (hiking, running, playing a game) or you in elementary or middle school engaged in a favorite pastime activity. If desired, add a duplicate of this slide and more information on the theme: Your work and how you arrived at it.

4. Brainstorming Activity
How many computers do you see in this room?
What other types of things in this room might have a computer inside of it?
TIPS: When working with a small audience or with a larger chunk of time, use this time for THINK, PAIR, SHARE and have audience spend a few minutes thinking about the questions, talking about ideas with a neighbor, and sharing responses with the entire group. When working with a large audience or a limited time slot, it may be more manageable to have them think about each question for 30 seconds, then call on a few students to share their ideas with the whole group. FYI: Younger audiences may only identify an actual computer and not realize that other things in the environment also contain “computers,” like the thermostat that controls the temperature in the room, the microwave that controls the time and heat used to make a meal, the calculator used to help solve a math problem, the teacher’s cell phone, ipods, DVD players, etc.

5. What is information technology?
Information technology (IT) is using computers and computer science to…
Communicate
Solve problems
Design and imagine
Share, store, retrieve or manipulate information
Ask the students to provide examples of information technologies they see around them every day. Use the four bullet categories to drive thinking past gaming devices and common hardware to unique devices and applications. Explore personal devices (like iPods or cell phones) and familiar settings (like a grocery store, bank, or office).
Where do you see information technologies in use every day?

6. With a job in computing you can… Help People!
Stop wild fires
Find criminals
Save babies’ lives
What can you do with a job in computing? You can save lives by creating a tool or machine to help a sick baby, child, or adult. Firefighters are now using computer sensors to figure out where a fire is, how hot the fire is, and which direction the fire is moving. This technology is important for helping firefighters stop forest fires and save them from getting trapped by the fire. The DNA database helps police officers identify criminals and match criminals to evidence found at a crime scene. With a career in computing you have the power to help all types of people in lots of different situations and even save lives.

7. Have fun and work with your friends!!
Cool people working TOGETHER in a cool setting. ASK: Has anyone ever heard of Google? Does anyone know what Google is? Google helps people search and find information on the internet. People who work at Google help make Google better so it is easier for people to find the information they are looking for.
Work life is changing in IT. Notice the team is working collaboratively in a professional but casual setting. The typical work space at Google is open and full of large couches, chairs, and scattered with rubber balls to create a fun work and social environment. Google makes sure employees are always within 500 feet of food, and they support healthy lifestyles with recreation and sports equipment, and even a pool. Other perks: Google pays employees for three gourmet meals per day, offers free laundry service, an in-house hair salon and massage parlor, and employees are allowed to bring their dog to work!! What more could you ask for? If TIME PERMITS, ask students to discuss: WHY might Google offer these employee benefits? What does Google get out of having so many perks?
Meeting of a project team at Google

8. Show your creative side!
Introducing Leah Buechley
Before College: Interested in art and design, liked math.
In College: Studied fine arts, then computer science.
Now: Creates clothes that light-up.
Leah is an example of someone who didn’t start out in computing or IT. She blended computing with her other interests, including art and design. This is Leah wearing her programmable shirt. It has LEDs (light emitting diodes) sewn into it that run on a watch battery. Conductive thread connects the LEDS to a programmable chip inside the shirt. On the slide you will see a picture of Leah wearing a shirt make for bicyclists. There is a right and left turn signal so bicycle riders can lets others know which way they are planning on turning. The turn signal lights up when the riders presses a button on either the left or right sleeve of the shirt.
Students can make this shirt themselves! Direct them to the NCWIT website ( for instructions.
Check out the CRAFT Technology Lab in the Computer Science Department at University of Colorado, Boulder to learn more about Leah’s projects and other creative technological innovations:
Leah’s Electronic Textiles or Wearable Designs:
Leah’s LED Tank Top:
CRAFT Technology Lab:

9. Makes Lots of Money!
People who work in computing fields make more money than lawyers, police officers, firefighters, and nurses!
Not only can you save lives, work with your friends, and make cool stuff with a job in computing, but you can also make lots of money!!

10. “Find out what you love to do and do that. It’s that simple. ” ~Dr. A
“Find out what you love to do and do that. It’s that simple.” ~Dr. A. L. Garcia
Ask students to think about their interests and hobbies. Call on a few students to share their interests with the entire group and relate those interests to particular careers in computer science and information technology.

11. Learn more! camps, clubs & competitions online programs & classes
virtual Web experiences
programmable devices
…as well as the Takeaway Tech brochure
Encourage students to seek out experiences that will introduce them to computing. Hand out the Takeaway Tech brochure. It has great “get started NOW” information and lists other available resources.

12. Contact Information
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.
[TEMPLATE…Insert and any other contact information here]
Thank you!!
TEMPLATE…Insert presenter contact information here.