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The Technology & Design Institute

Calling all computer scientists, artists, gamers, engineers, thinkers and makers!

“This summer I attended the Technology & Design Institute at Champlain College. Saying that this was a life-changing experience is an understatement. This was one of the best decisions of my life. These eight jam-packed days were absolutely amazing.”

Summer 2024 dates and information coming soon!

About the Technology & Design Institute

Want to learn new tools and approaches to design and technology?

Join like-minded young people from across the state to learn new technologies and think about the impact technology has on our world, both today and in the future. Hear from professionals in the field about possible career pathways, play (and make) games, visit some of our industry professionals in the area and spend time in Champlain College’s state-of-the-art computer labs immersing yourself in learning.

Each summer, we offer intensive short courses in a variety of topics, which may include: arduino microcontrollers, digital painting and illustration, cybersecurity, programming, game design, to name a few. We balance out the time spent in the computer labs by making time for play, with lots of options for everyone: our ever-growing pop-up maker lab, D&D, MTG, pop-up jam sessions, late night Humans vs Zombies, field games, silkscreening, photography, and more.

Explore, learn and create alongside tech-world professionals, professors, and a whole host of young designers and programmers like you! What will you make?

Learn why Vermont Tech Jam calls this Institute a “Geekette’s Dream!” Immerse yourself in some of the most advanced technology our state has to offer, all while enjoying the gorgeous views of Lake Champlain and the amenities of Vermont’s most innovative communities.

Summer 2024 dates and information coming soon!

For information regarding tuition, please click here.

Technology and Design Student with Robot 2023

At This Institute You Will...

  • Choose two subjects to study intensely for the week, which could include digital design and illustration skills, programming microcontrollers, designing games, or learning about cybersecurity… the possibilities are endless!
  • Have access to amazing tools and spaces, including our pop-up maker lab.
  • Collaborate as designers and creators on projects that excite you.
  • Play games!
  • Learn about the technical, artistic, and business aspects of technology and design.
  • Explore college options and possible career paths.
  • Network with industry professionals.
  • Make lifelong friends with peers who share your interests.
  • Have the time of your life!

Topics You Can Explore Include...

Digital Painting and Illustration
Graphic Design
Microcontrollers and Robotics
Programming
Digital Image Manipulation
Adobe Creative Cloud Software
Game Design
Media Storytelling
Unreal Game Engine
Prototyping
UI / UX Design
Printmaking and Screenprinting
Animation
Immersive Data
Virtual Reality
Motion Graphics

Experience the vibe at the Technology & Design Institute!

Check out photos from the Summer 2023 session below…

View the full album and download photos by clicking here.

Note: This album is arranged in chronological order as events took place throughout the Institute.

Video recap from the Institute coming soon!

Attending this Institute can earn you credit and proficiencies!

How To Get High School Credit

We encourage all students who participate in an Institute to use the experience to earn high school credit.

Awarding high school credit is at the discretion of the student’s sending school, so we recommend students make a plan with their high school guidance counselor before attending GIV to earn their credit.

Each school has unique requirements around proficiencies, credits, and PLPs, so there are multiple pathways to awarding credit based on your school's system of assessments.

However, we recommend that high schools award credit by having students produce one or more of the following...
- A presentation to reflect on the overall experience to present for counselors and/or teachers in the fall after their participation.
- A learning journal for submission about areas of learning, activities, reflections.
- Work examples to share with sending school teachers (physical or digital products, writing, videos of presentations, learning journal, etc.) to be reviewed and assessed.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] if we can directly help or support you or your school in determining credit opportunities for your experience at GIV.

Curriculum Format

9-day intensive
Group and workshops around strands (Game Design, Information Technology, or Digital Media).
Students choose two classes each day that support their interests and abilities
Work closely with Champlain’s Media Staff, including the Emergent Media Center
Professional tours of area technology & design innovators
Dormitories and roommates
12:1 student-to-staff ratio

Curriculum Topics

Digital painting and illustration
Microcontrollers and robotics
Python programming
Digital image manipulation
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Game & interactive media design, prototyping, & storytelling
Printmaking
Cybersecurity
Immersive data
and more!

Hours and Opportunities

24+ hours of classroom instruction
18+ hours of creative exploration and content development
Connections/collaborations with professionals and professors
Creation of original portfolio-ready media content

High School Credit Recommendations

Equivalent to one semester of high school credit in 1 or more of the following:

Arts - Media Arts
Arts- Visual Arts
Science - Engineering and Technology

VT Proficiency Indicators

This Institute’s curriculum has been aligned with the following Vermont proficiency-based graduation requirements at the high school level. Proficiency credit between Arts areas and English should only be awarded based on student class selections.

Arts: Media Arts (Create, Present, Respond, Connect)

Arts: Visual Arts (Create, Present, Respond, Connect)

Math
- Modeling: 1a, 1b
- Number and Quantity: 2b, 2c
- Geometry: 5a, 5d, 5h, 5n

English Language Arts
- Reading: 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e
- Writing: 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e
- Speaking/Listening: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e
- Speaking/Listening: 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e

Transferable Skills
- Communication: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g
- Self-Direction: 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i
- Problem Solving: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h
- Citizenship: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f
- Informed Thinking: 5a, 5b, 5f

So how does it all work?

Every day is a unique experience filled with expert-led instruction, hands-on investigation, field trips, and immersive learning. We work to build a community around our experiences and share in our passion for everything we explore.

**The schedule is slightly different each year and announced when you arrive!

GIV’s supportive Institute structure is endlessly enriching, empowering, and engaging.

An Example of a Day at the Technology & Design Institute

7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Morning Meeting
9:00 AM: Morning Tech Immersion Class
12:00 PM: Lunch and Free Time
1:00 PM: Afternoon Tech Immersion Class
4:00 PM: Student Choice Workshops
5:00 PM: Dinner
6:30 PM: Guest Speaker Presentations
8:00 PM: Evening Social Activities
10:00 PM: End of Day

Want to learn more about what it's like at the Technology & Design Institute?

Check out this video from WCAX when they visited the 2023 Technology & Design Institute to investigate!

 

Technology and Design Faculty

Shannon Walters is passionate about using technology and the arts to create, collaborate, communicate and connect in new ways. She brings with her years of experience integrating technology as a Teacher Librarian and Technology Integration Specialist at The Integrated Arts Academy in Burlington. In addition to serving as Technology Concerns Chair for the Vermont School Library Association, she has served as a “Maker Space” lead and instructor for the Create, Make, Learn Institute; Tarrant Code Camp; and Dynamic Landscapes state technology conference, as well as faculty at the University of Vermont.

Robin brings a wealth of experience to GIV as the Program Director for Champlain’s master’s program in Emergent Media. Prior to her role at Champlain, Robin was co-chair of the Design & Creative Media program at the Center for Technology, Essex; and has run multiple community art programs to support young people through art-mentoring. She also just concluded her tenure as vice-chair of the board of trustees for the Vermont Arts Council. She is passionate about emergent media theory and practice, as well as graphic design, photography, and image-making. She has completed research in a variety of topics, most notably focused on the intersection of technology and educational pedagogy.

Gain hands-on experience with Game Design, Programming, Graphic Design, and more at the Technology & Design Institute!

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