Karel Course 1.0 Released

New edition of the Karel programming course was just released! It has stunning graphics, new games, and improved autograding. Visit course web page for more information. Request free evaluation access Teachers can request free evaluation access by filling a simple online form.

PLaSM Language Change

While improving the NCLab’s self-paced 3D Modeling course, we decided to change the order of arguments in the ROTATE (R) command in PLaSM. This change is not backward compatible but adjustments are easy to make. Previously, the order of the arguments was: R(object, axis, angle) After the change, the last two are switched: R(object, angle,

Preview of New Karel Course

Stay tuned, a new version of the self-paced Karel programming course is coming at the end of April! The Karel Course in NCLab comprises the White Belt level (7 games), Yellow Belt level (28 games), Purple Belt level (21 games), and Black Belt level (14 games). Sample games are shown below:

NCLab is Hiring!

Become part of a project that is changing K-12 education in the U.S. and worldwide. NCLab is an open cloud computing platform that gives schools free access to awesome computing resources. To give a few examples, NCLab provides free apps for computer programming, 3D modeling (CAD design), 3D molecular modeling, engineering analysis of elasticity and

Yummy Programming

A new version of the Karel course is in preparation. Karel will go through many different adventures in the ZOO, in the Library, on a Ship, Under the Sea, in the Jungle, in the Desert, in a Fortress, on the Battlefield, etc. Here is a sample game from the Ship:

Lemelson Workshop

Today (Tuesday March 25) we hosted a computer programming and 3D modeling workshop for 25 students of the Lemelson STEM Academy. This is a Hispanic-serving institution with outstanding student success rates. Outstanding school, outstanding students. We are looking forward to working with you in the future! 3D models are a guaranteed source of many classroom

Rolan Melton Workshop

Today we hosted a four-hour computer programming and 3D modeling workshop for the Rolan Melton Elementary School. The kids had lots of fun and so did we! In Karel some of them made it to Yellow Belt 2nd Degree, and in 3D Modeling we covered basic shapes, colors, and 3D translations. The kids learned an

NCLab Courses Are Aligned with Common Core Standards

Computer programming is about logic and how to present ideas very clearly to be understood by a machine. 3D modeling is geometry combined with set theory. Not surprisingly, all three self-paced NCLab courses are perfectly aligned with the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice, and with additional Common Core Standards. Karel Programming Course for Beginners

Python Course is Aligned with Common Core Standards

4th Grade CCSS.Math.Content.4 Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems CCSS.Math.Content.4 Gain familiarity with factors and multiples CCSS.Math.Content.4 Generate and analyze patterns CCSS.Math.Content.4 Represent and interpret data 5th Grade CCSS.Math.Content.5.OA Operations and Algebraic Thinking CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT Number and Operations in Base Ten CCSS.Math.Content.5.NF Number and Operations-Fractions CCSS.Math.Content.5.MD Measurement and Data 6th Grade CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP

3D Modeling Course is Aligned with Common Core Standards

4th Grade CCSS.Math.Content.4 Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems CCSS.Math.Content.4 Gain familiarity with factors and multiples CCSS.Math.Content.4 Generate and analyze patterns CCSS.Math.Content.4 Represent and interpret data 5th Grade CCSS.Math.Content.5.OA Operations and Algebraic Thinking CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT Number and Operations in Base Ten CCSS.Math.Content.5.NF Number and Operations-Fractions CCSS.Math.Content.5.MD Measurement and Data 6th Grade CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP