Summer Sessions
Block 2
Block 3
Block 4
BLOCK 2
July 7 2014
Today was my first day of the summer workshop. In the morning, we learned about the svn; we learn how to create or remove files locally and bring them to the svn which is a server where other people have access to my files. We learned how to do all of these things by using the terminal. I wasn't really familier with terminal, but through this lesson, I feel like my terminal skills have improved. Afternoon session was more of independent work time. First, I focus on getting all of my public_html files to the svn server. Then I worked on making gifs, moving images, using the Gimp program. I found a easy tutorial on how to use the program. I completed that tutorial finishing a small gif.
July 8 2014
Today we focused on learning how to create a php file. Many things were similar to JAVA Script. We learned how to use for loop function and if and then function to create working php file. At first, it was pretty confusing how it worked, but after messing around with it it became little more familiar. After lunch, we started on our php projects. I started on working on the dice statistics project. I got it working but I still need to fix little things. I'm actually surprised that I wrote a php file by myself. Hopefully I learn more about it. Programming is now really becoming fun!
July 9 2014
We kept learning more about creating php file. We learned how to create function system within the php code. This function method was useful in my dice project. I worked on the dice project for a while, but I had trouble figuring out how to run a php code with a html function. Joel said we will be learning how to do this tomorrow. After lunch, Jopsy and I worked on the fire model that we didn't finish yet for a while. We are almost done with the project; we just need to fix small things.
July 10 2014
Today we learned more about php functions and commands. We also learned the basics of xml files. I kept working on the dice project, I did fix the problem that I had yesterday but I had another problem. I couldn't for some reason save a value of an array. It kept resetting every time the page is refreshed. Joel and Phil tried to help me, but the problem is still a mystery. So I took a little break from the dice project and start working on the Dane Joe project.
July 11 2014
Today we learned the php session and hidden functions. The lesson was only about an hour long. After a short lesson, we worked independently on our php projects. I continued working on my dice project, but I still had many problems. So I moved on to another project. I worked on the background selector project. This was fairly easy project compare to the dice project. I finished the background project.
July 16 2014
I missed the last two days of the workshop, so this morning I had to catch up with some lessons. My peers helped me with the stuff I missed so I was able to finish it on time. Then I worked on my Dane Joe php project. I got the basic structure for my code but I still need to work on it tomorrow. Hopefully I can finish my Dane Joe tomorrow and also start and complete my dynamic php page project.
July 17 2014
In the morning I worked on my Dane Joe project. I finished the project with the help for my peers. Then, I worked on my xml blog project. This one was fairly easy compare to other php projects. Yet, sometimes I had problem. Phil and Jopsy helped me to solve the problem. Thanks to them, I finished the xml blog project today. After that, I went back to my background selector to fix some errors. After all this, I still had time at the end, but not enough to start a new project. So I decorated all of my finished projects with css style sheets.
July 18 2014
Today was also a workday for our php projects. So I started on my php calendar project. I was able to build the basic code for the calendar, but I couldn't figure out how to make the php function actually work. Phil helped me with a lot of the stuff. I was able to get the model to change depending on the month the user chooses. Then, I tried to get the first day of the month. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to actually test my code. Next week, I'll finish up my php projects.
BLOCK 3
July 21 2014
This morning we learned about advanced programming. One of shodor's interns taught us on the basics of advanced programming and JAVA Script. The concept seemed easy at first, but as we got deeper, it became kind of confusing. Then during lunch, I worked on my unfinished calendar. I had the code right, but for some reason it wasn't working. So, I got help from Phil. I was able to finish the calendar before the afternoon class. After noon class was about engineering. I loved the session. We got to learn about truss system and got to play we legos. They said we will be making a tower tomorrow. I'm super excited!!!
July 22 2014
Today we learned about regular expression in the morning session. We learned the basic language, and even got a chance to play with it for a while. Then lunch, like they said, we had a tower building contest. I was paired with Zach. We had to design our tower so that it was high and strong enough to hold marbles. Our team was the first one to finish. So in the remaining time we reinforced our tower as a whole. Then, we had competition on which tower can hold the most marbles. The score is based on the heigh of the tower and number of marbles it hold. Overall we got second place. I am actually pleased with our result.
July 23 2014
Today, Amal taught us about Ajax and jQuery. It was actually very confusing at first, but I guess it got better as I used it more. Then we got our stocks Ajax project. I was paired with Akin. We first worked on the code so that the data would be renewed automatically after certain amount of time. This part was fairly easy. Then we tried to my the table that actually shows all the values of different stocks. Unfortunately we were unable to finish the project in time today. Hopefully we get time to finish it tomorrow. In afternoon session, we learned about electrical engineering. We got to play with the breadboard to make the LED circuit. We also learned the basic safety rules of using electrical materials.
July 24 2014
In the morning, Eric taught us about recursion. This was also kind of confusing to me. We got our recursion project which was to make a snow flake using recursion. Of course, I never got to finish the project in time today. In the afternoon class we learned more about engineering. Today, we started on the marble contest. Each group constructed their ramp where they will launch the marble. Then we had to do some calculation to figure out where the marble would land if dropped at specific height. I had so much fun doing this activity. But, we had trouble doing the calculation at the end. Not every group got actually launch their marbles. So, we will be doing that first thing tomorrow.
July 25 2014
This morning we got to work on our unfinished projects. Then half of the class got to make the littlefe mini super computer. Mobeen led the group but we had to do everything from figuring out where each part goes to actually putting them together using tools. Half of the group worked on each part of the computer boards, the others, worked on the frame. I worked on the frame. We had trouble figuring out where the parts go, but as soon as we knew, we made the frame pretty easily. Then, after lunch, we got to test our ramp. We launched our marble and it hit the front of the film can. After couple tries, it kept hitting the front. Later, we found out that we measure the height of the chair instead of the chair plus the height of the can. So, we dropped our marble at higher height. And in first try, it went right into the film can. We learned that even just a little mistake on measurement could vary the results dramatically. This week was so much fun. I loved the engineering sessions thanks to James, Caroline, and Nick!!!
July 28 2014
Today was just a work day for us. We just worked on our unfinished projects. So, in the morning I worked on my recursion snowflake project. I was able to write the code, but I couldn't make it so that the users can choose the level/stage of the recursion. Phil helped me figure out how to do that. After I finished my snowflake, I worked on my php dynamic page. It was pretty easy, but I had to use $_get to do the project. I like $_post better.
July 29 2014
In the morning, Kristen taught us about writing a resume. She went over briefly what we need to include in our resume. We also learned basic skills on how to write an effective and convincing resume. Then, Simon, a former Shodor staff, came to us and talked to us about tech talk. Since he was working with the google, he knew a lot about how to get into google and the process of it. He taught us how to be professional in the interviews.
July 30 2014
Today was also a workday for us to really catch up on stuff. Since I was almost done with all of my projects, I worked on my website. I changed all of my features of my website including background image and other functions. Then I decided to organize my blog entry. I organized them by sessions. Now users can easily go to winter, spring, or summer blog without going to all of the blog entries.
July 31 2014
Today Ryan asked me to help him with the snowflake. He had the same problem as me where he had the code, but he didn't know how to make it so that the users can change the shape if the flake. Since I know how to do it, I was able to help Ryan and explain to him how it works. Then, afternoon, Eric introduced QUnit to us. QUnit was a program that allows programmers to find error in their codes easily. We got to play around with it. And we had a small assignment where we had to look at the QUnit and find the errors and fix them so the code works.
August 1 2014
Today, we just worked on our projects since today was the last day for many of the apprentices. Some apprentices presented their website and their projects to the shodor people. I mainly worked on my website since this is not my last week at Shodor. I tried to fix little things on my website. I also tried to do anchor using xml and php. Phil helped me with that. I still need to learn about responsive website so I can transform my website to responsive which would be much more organized and user friendly.
BLOCK 4
August 4 2014
This week was mainly work days. This week was kind of like a make up week for people who missed one of the summer blocks. I worked on the gimp projects. I was actually looking forward to this projects. I like working with image editing. I learned new skills using gimp. I finished all of the gimp projects before the end of the day, so I worked on editing my website for a bit.
August 5 2014
Today, I worked on the Inkscape projects. I actually liked Inkscape more than gimp. I think that because Inkscape has more features. Although for most part, it was fun and easy, some parts were pretty frustrating. But with the help from Phil and Internet, I managed to finish all of the Inkscape projects. Then, for the rest of the day, I started working on my responsive website. I went through the tutorials, but I didn't have time to actually try them on to my website.
August 6 2014
First thing I worked on today was the responsive website. It seemed little hard at first, but as I tried it by myself, it wasn't too difficult. I actually finished my responsive my website quite early today. Then, I worked on my alternate website style sheet. I got the basics of it, but I had many little things to fix. I didn't have time to actually go fix all the little things. Hopefully, I can finish them tomorrow.
August 7 2014
I tried to finish my alternate stylesheet today. I worked on fixing little things. But, I had trouble fixing some of them. I got really frustrated by it, so I decided to work on something else. I worked on responsive website for my alternate style. I had to have a different responsive code for my alternate because it had different features as my default did. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish editing my website. I really want to finish with it as soon as possible.
August 8 2014
Today, I decided to work on something else than my website. I decided to make my logo and banner. I used gimp and Inkscape to edit images and make my own logo and banner. First, I brainstormed on the paper about my logo. It took me quite a bit. Then, I planned out how to make it using gimp and Inkscape. I was able to finish my logo and banner pretty easily. I had time at the end, so I decided to make another logo and banner for my alternate website style.
August 12 2014
Since I missed the workshop yesterday due to sickness, I had to work more diligently today. I decided to finish up editing my website. I organized all of my projects on my website. And I revised my website so it is much more user-friendly. Fortunately, I had time at the end of the day to work on my stocks project. I think this project is the hardest project over the summer session. I did not really know how to use ajax for the stocks. But, my peers helped me learn it.
August 13 2014
First thing I focused on this morning was the stocks project. I worked without breaks to finish up the project. I was lucky enough to finish my stocks project. Then I got started on my AgentSheet project. Since I have very little experience with the AgentSheet, I had little trouble working on my project. I first planned out my project on a paper. I never got to actually build the model to day. Hopefully I could finish it tomorrow.
August 14 2014
Because I knew it will take a good amount of time to finish my AgentSheet project, I got started on it right away. Unexpectedly, it wasn't as hard as I thought to make the basic model. But, then, I had little things that I had to add to the basic model according to the HLD I received. Although I worked all day just on this project, I was unable to finish it. Though, I am almost finish with it. I just need to tweak here and there.
August 15 2014
Today was my last day. Which means I must present all of my summer projects by the end of the day today. So, I tried to finish my AgentSheet project since that is the only project left for me to finish. I was able to finish all of the projects. It has been a great summer in Shodor. I definitely learn a lot about modeling and programming. But, I still have a lot to learn. I hope I become an intern so I can keep learning and working in Shodor.
Block 2
Block 3
Block 4
BLOCK 2
July 7 2014
Today was my first day of the summer workshop. In the morning, we learned about the svn; we learn how to create or remove files locally and bring them to the svn which is a server where other people have access to my files. We learned how to do all of these things by using the terminal. I wasn't really familier with terminal, but through this lesson, I feel like my terminal skills have improved. Afternoon session was more of independent work time. First, I focus on getting all of my public_html files to the svn server. Then I worked on making gifs, moving images, using the Gimp program. I found a easy tutorial on how to use the program. I completed that tutorial finishing a small gif.
July 8 2014
Today we focused on learning how to create a php file. Many things were similar to JAVA Script. We learned how to use for loop function and if and then function to create working php file. At first, it was pretty confusing how it worked, but after messing around with it it became little more familiar. After lunch, we started on our php projects. I started on working on the dice statistics project. I got it working but I still need to fix little things. I'm actually surprised that I wrote a php file by myself. Hopefully I learn more about it. Programming is now really becoming fun!
July 9 2014
We kept learning more about creating php file. We learned how to create function system within the php code. This function method was useful in my dice project. I worked on the dice project for a while, but I had trouble figuring out how to run a php code with a html function. Joel said we will be learning how to do this tomorrow. After lunch, Jopsy and I worked on the fire model that we didn't finish yet for a while. We are almost done with the project; we just need to fix small things.
July 10 2014
Today we learned more about php functions and commands. We also learned the basics of xml files. I kept working on the dice project, I did fix the problem that I had yesterday but I had another problem. I couldn't for some reason save a value of an array. It kept resetting every time the page is refreshed. Joel and Phil tried to help me, but the problem is still a mystery. So I took a little break from the dice project and start working on the Dane Joe project.
July 11 2014
Today we learned the php session and hidden functions. The lesson was only about an hour long. After a short lesson, we worked independently on our php projects. I continued working on my dice project, but I still had many problems. So I moved on to another project. I worked on the background selector project. This was fairly easy project compare to the dice project. I finished the background project.
July 16 2014
I missed the last two days of the workshop, so this morning I had to catch up with some lessons. My peers helped me with the stuff I missed so I was able to finish it on time. Then I worked on my Dane Joe php project. I got the basic structure for my code but I still need to work on it tomorrow. Hopefully I can finish my Dane Joe tomorrow and also start and complete my dynamic php page project.
July 17 2014
In the morning I worked on my Dane Joe project. I finished the project with the help for my peers. Then, I worked on my xml blog project. This one was fairly easy compare to other php projects. Yet, sometimes I had problem. Phil and Jopsy helped me to solve the problem. Thanks to them, I finished the xml blog project today. After that, I went back to my background selector to fix some errors. After all this, I still had time at the end, but not enough to start a new project. So I decorated all of my finished projects with css style sheets.
July 18 2014
Today was also a workday for our php projects. So I started on my php calendar project. I was able to build the basic code for the calendar, but I couldn't figure out how to make the php function actually work. Phil helped me with a lot of the stuff. I was able to get the model to change depending on the month the user chooses. Then, I tried to get the first day of the month. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to actually test my code. Next week, I'll finish up my php projects.
BLOCK 3
July 21 2014
This morning we learned about advanced programming. One of shodor's interns taught us on the basics of advanced programming and JAVA Script. The concept seemed easy at first, but as we got deeper, it became kind of confusing. Then during lunch, I worked on my unfinished calendar. I had the code right, but for some reason it wasn't working. So, I got help from Phil. I was able to finish the calendar before the afternoon class. After noon class was about engineering. I loved the session. We got to learn about truss system and got to play we legos. They said we will be making a tower tomorrow. I'm super excited!!!
July 22 2014
Today we learned about regular expression in the morning session. We learned the basic language, and even got a chance to play with it for a while. Then lunch, like they said, we had a tower building contest. I was paired with Zach. We had to design our tower so that it was high and strong enough to hold marbles. Our team was the first one to finish. So in the remaining time we reinforced our tower as a whole. Then, we had competition on which tower can hold the most marbles. The score is based on the heigh of the tower and number of marbles it hold. Overall we got second place. I am actually pleased with our result.
July 23 2014
Today, Amal taught us about Ajax and jQuery. It was actually very confusing at first, but I guess it got better as I used it more. Then we got our stocks Ajax project. I was paired with Akin. We first worked on the code so that the data would be renewed automatically after certain amount of time. This part was fairly easy. Then we tried to my the table that actually shows all the values of different stocks. Unfortunately we were unable to finish the project in time today. Hopefully we get time to finish it tomorrow. In afternoon session, we learned about electrical engineering. We got to play with the breadboard to make the LED circuit. We also learned the basic safety rules of using electrical materials.
July 24 2014
In the morning, Eric taught us about recursion. This was also kind of confusing to me. We got our recursion project which was to make a snow flake using recursion. Of course, I never got to finish the project in time today. In the afternoon class we learned more about engineering. Today, we started on the marble contest. Each group constructed their ramp where they will launch the marble. Then we had to do some calculation to figure out where the marble would land if dropped at specific height. I had so much fun doing this activity. But, we had trouble doing the calculation at the end. Not every group got actually launch their marbles. So, we will be doing that first thing tomorrow.
July 25 2014
This morning we got to work on our unfinished projects. Then half of the class got to make the littlefe mini super computer. Mobeen led the group but we had to do everything from figuring out where each part goes to actually putting them together using tools. Half of the group worked on each part of the computer boards, the others, worked on the frame. I worked on the frame. We had trouble figuring out where the parts go, but as soon as we knew, we made the frame pretty easily. Then, after lunch, we got to test our ramp. We launched our marble and it hit the front of the film can. After couple tries, it kept hitting the front. Later, we found out that we measure the height of the chair instead of the chair plus the height of the can. So, we dropped our marble at higher height. And in first try, it went right into the film can. We learned that even just a little mistake on measurement could vary the results dramatically. This week was so much fun. I loved the engineering sessions thanks to James, Caroline, and Nick!!!
July 28 2014
Today was just a work day for us. We just worked on our unfinished projects. So, in the morning I worked on my recursion snowflake project. I was able to write the code, but I couldn't make it so that the users can choose the level/stage of the recursion. Phil helped me figure out how to do that. After I finished my snowflake, I worked on my php dynamic page. It was pretty easy, but I had to use $_get to do the project. I like $_post better.
July 29 2014
In the morning, Kristen taught us about writing a resume. She went over briefly what we need to include in our resume. We also learned basic skills on how to write an effective and convincing resume. Then, Simon, a former Shodor staff, came to us and talked to us about tech talk. Since he was working with the google, he knew a lot about how to get into google and the process of it. He taught us how to be professional in the interviews.
July 30 2014
Today was also a workday for us to really catch up on stuff. Since I was almost done with all of my projects, I worked on my website. I changed all of my features of my website including background image and other functions. Then I decided to organize my blog entry. I organized them by sessions. Now users can easily go to winter, spring, or summer blog without going to all of the blog entries.
July 31 2014
Today Ryan asked me to help him with the snowflake. He had the same problem as me where he had the code, but he didn't know how to make it so that the users can change the shape if the flake. Since I know how to do it, I was able to help Ryan and explain to him how it works. Then, afternoon, Eric introduced QUnit to us. QUnit was a program that allows programmers to find error in their codes easily. We got to play around with it. And we had a small assignment where we had to look at the QUnit and find the errors and fix them so the code works.
August 1 2014
Today, we just worked on our projects since today was the last day for many of the apprentices. Some apprentices presented their website and their projects to the shodor people. I mainly worked on my website since this is not my last week at Shodor. I tried to fix little things on my website. I also tried to do anchor using xml and php. Phil helped me with that. I still need to learn about responsive website so I can transform my website to responsive which would be much more organized and user friendly.
BLOCK 4
August 4 2014
This week was mainly work days. This week was kind of like a make up week for people who missed one of the summer blocks. I worked on the gimp projects. I was actually looking forward to this projects. I like working with image editing. I learned new skills using gimp. I finished all of the gimp projects before the end of the day, so I worked on editing my website for a bit.
August 5 2014
Today, I worked on the Inkscape projects. I actually liked Inkscape more than gimp. I think that because Inkscape has more features. Although for most part, it was fun and easy, some parts were pretty frustrating. But with the help from Phil and Internet, I managed to finish all of the Inkscape projects. Then, for the rest of the day, I started working on my responsive website. I went through the tutorials, but I didn't have time to actually try them on to my website.
August 6 2014
First thing I worked on today was the responsive website. It seemed little hard at first, but as I tried it by myself, it wasn't too difficult. I actually finished my responsive my website quite early today. Then, I worked on my alternate website style sheet. I got the basics of it, but I had many little things to fix. I didn't have time to actually go fix all the little things. Hopefully, I can finish them tomorrow.
August 7 2014
I tried to finish my alternate stylesheet today. I worked on fixing little things. But, I had trouble fixing some of them. I got really frustrated by it, so I decided to work on something else. I worked on responsive website for my alternate style. I had to have a different responsive code for my alternate because it had different features as my default did. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish editing my website. I really want to finish with it as soon as possible.
August 8 2014
Today, I decided to work on something else than my website. I decided to make my logo and banner. I used gimp and Inkscape to edit images and make my own logo and banner. First, I brainstormed on the paper about my logo. It took me quite a bit. Then, I planned out how to make it using gimp and Inkscape. I was able to finish my logo and banner pretty easily. I had time at the end, so I decided to make another logo and banner for my alternate website style.
August 12 2014
Since I missed the workshop yesterday due to sickness, I had to work more diligently today. I decided to finish up editing my website. I organized all of my projects on my website. And I revised my website so it is much more user-friendly. Fortunately, I had time at the end of the day to work on my stocks project. I think this project is the hardest project over the summer session. I did not really know how to use ajax for the stocks. But, my peers helped me learn it.
August 13 2014
First thing I focused on this morning was the stocks project. I worked without breaks to finish up the project. I was lucky enough to finish my stocks project. Then I got started on my AgentSheet project. Since I have very little experience with the AgentSheet, I had little trouble working on my project. I first planned out my project on a paper. I never got to actually build the model to day. Hopefully I could finish it tomorrow.
August 14 2014
Because I knew it will take a good amount of time to finish my AgentSheet project, I got started on it right away. Unexpectedly, it wasn't as hard as I thought to make the basic model. But, then, I had little things that I had to add to the basic model according to the HLD I received. Although I worked all day just on this project, I was unable to finish it. Though, I am almost finish with it. I just need to tweak here and there.
August 15 2014
Today was my last day. Which means I must present all of my summer projects by the end of the day today. So, I tried to finish my AgentSheet project since that is the only project left for me to finish. I was able to finish all of the projects. It has been a great summer in Shodor. I definitely learn a lot about modeling and programming. But, I still have a lot to learn. I hope I become an intern so I can keep learning and working in Shodor.