The school year came early for A.J. Massey.
Massey pored over his computer project in a Joppatowne High School classroom last week. The rising sophomore, who is enrolled in the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Program that the school will introduce this school year, got a jump-start on computer training. In two weeks, he designed an interactive multiple choice quiz on fractions, and a game where the driver of a red car tries to avoid hitting a puppy.
A.J. was one of seven of Joppatowne's Homeland Security students who participated in a program over the past couple of weeks, during which they designed games and simulations to learn about technology and computer software.
"I like that I have control of my own stuff and that I design everything," said A.J., 14, "It reminds me of stuff I see on the Internet. And if I can do the simple things in the computer, I'm sure it can relate to more complicated things related to security."
The summer activity, called the Young Scholars Program is conducted by CyberWATCH (Cybersecurity: Washington Area Technician and Consortium Headquarters). It is composed of Washington-area schools, universities, agencies and businesses that coordinate education programs using National Science Foundation funds.
This year, Davina Pruitt-Mentle, the director of educational outreach, brought the Young Scholars Program to Joppatowne's Homeland Security students. In a two-week session that ended Friday, the students designed simulations using MicroWorlds, Excel and StarLogo computer programs.
Andrew Alkines, 16, designed a three-level game using MicroWorlds. The goal of his game is to steer a helicopter through traffic where jets, rockets and sailboats cross its path.
"It gives me a better idea of having a computer job," he said.
The program was free to Homeland Security students and CyberWATCH provided the program at no cost to the school.
"It fell into our laps," said Leah Beaulieu, the Homeland Security program coordinator at the school. "It's giving students an opportunity to learn more using StarLogo, learning simulations and programming, and how to make things function."
CyberWATCH runs a similar program at a Prince George's County school and a summer program for gifted high school students at the University of Maryland, College Park.
"Kids are interested in technology, but engineering and science can turn them off because they think it's hard," Pruitt-Mentle said. "By showing a slew of program languages and processes, they're becoming aware that it's not so difficult."
The Joppatowne students heard from guest speakers and took field trips to the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and the National Cryptologic Museum.
On the last day of the session, the students presented their projects to the class and celebrated with soda, crackers and doughnuts.
"It's really complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy," said A.J., as he clicked his mouse to add another icon on his project.
When asked if he looked forward to the new Homeland Security program starting, he looked up and replied, "I can't wait."
madison.park@baltsun.com