Scratch

Please create a set of methods to run Scratch virtual env. in 3D.
Build a new LSL (Linden scripting langauge) with Scratch?
Let kids enter a Second Life 3D env. based on Scratch?
Multicore programming course- Build a parallel processing course for children
http://cag.csail.mit.edu/ps3/lectures.shtml
http://www.intel.com/cd/ids/developer/asmo-na/eng/328626.htm
http://www.physorg.com/news97857940.html

Could a modular form of Scratch use CILK as a model for training people to use multicore env.
http://supertech.lcs.mit.edu/cilk.
New versions of Scratch/Second Life could run on a single server with multiple cores.
How do we prepare kids to build their own parallel programs and virtual worlds?

Why don't the CS programs host virtual sites to get kids interested.
An example is in Vernor Vinge's book Rainbows End.
Even though the kids flock to the web, where are the LSL turorials for them?
NASA may be changing this.
NASA developed the model now used by Second Life to scale servers.
http://www.infrastructures.org/papers/bootstrap/

NASA and BBC may be creating virtual worlds kids can interact in and begin the first steps to CS.
Kids can learn MAYA, then LSL, then C, then C#, Java, etc.
In Santa Fe NM we start students in MAYA to get their abstract skills going.
They can then learn intersection and unions in 3D graphics, Animation, Geometry. Kids are intuitive 3D learners,
Kids then can use the MAYA textures in C# programs.
But with LSL they can only use Second Life (an adult site) not appropriate to young students.
We need a Second Life sandbox safe for kids.
Where are the US CS programs?
Why can't they create and host these sites?

NASA/COLAB for kids - COLAB + Challenger Learning Centers
Elementary kids now form groups to play online games at night(Runescape, Second Life?)
But where are kid safe sites?
BBC is creating a kid safe virtual sites why not NASA, EETimes? Where is the US Govt. in this space?
Kids are learning LSL and C# and XNA?
Could NASA develop COLAB simulations to meet the needs of Challenger Learning Centers?
http://www.challenger.org/
http://colab.arc.nasa.gov/virtual

BBC has created a kid friendly version of Second Life? Why can't NASA?
http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2007/01/23/bbc-to-launch-second-life-for-kids/
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1996898,00.html
NASA could build its own (kid safe) version of Second Life?
Second Life is built from NASA Linux Infrastructure (Ames env.).
Second Life Infrastructure:
http://www.infrastructures.org/papers/bootstrap/
How will this scale with multicore PCs ?
Could you build your own Second Life Grid with Intel or AMD PCs in Challenger Learning Center?
This would allow Challenger Learning Centers to create student programs with avatars?
Teachers could obtain training at the Challenger Learning Centers:
1. How to create avatars
2. How to interact with Challenger Learning Centers simulations (Ex.Space Station, MIR, Apollo 13 failures etc.)
3. At their home school they could then put students through orientation and allow them to enter Challenger Learning Centers COLAB/Second Life site and they could go to separate classes or enter group simulations.
Could Challenger Learning Centers then offer summer camps online for kids? My son would be on all the time!!! He spends too much time on other virtual sites.
Could kids do online internships with Challenger Learning Centers?
Virtual SPACE env. on, kid safe, NASA Second Life - Creating virtual films of COLAB
This email outlines several approaches to Space education using computer games/simulations.
Could NASA CoLAB Virtual use HHMI model and create media for public school use?
Could machinima be used to record NASA/COLAB Second Life
simulations, etc.
http://www.machinima.com/article.php?article=302
HHMI Holiday lectures, in front of high school students, is made into DVD. Many schools in the country use this lecture series in Biology classes. We need Space educational materials for our schools!
http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/
Could NASA create Secondlife simulations
and allow students to interact with small
subsets in a DVD version?
http://www.machinima.com/article.php?article=302

HHMI frequently contributes to NOVA, PBS Science program.
Could NASA contact NOVA about a broadcast discussing COLAB/Challenger Learning Centers?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3210/02.html
NASA builds its own version of Second Life?
Second Life is built from NASA Linux Infrastructure (Ames env.).
Second Life Infrastructure
http://www.infrastructures.org/papers/bootstrap/

Originally published in the Proceedings of the Twelfth USENIX Systems Administration Conference (LISA '98), Boston, Massachusetts -- http://www.usenix.org/publications/library/proceedings/lisa98/traugott.html
Abstract
When deploying and administering systems infrastructures it is still common to think in terms of individual machines rather than view an entire infrastructure as a combined whole. This standard practice creates many problems, including labor-intensive administration, high cost of ownership, and limited generally available knowledge or code usable for administering large infrastructures.
The model we describe treats an infrastructure as a single large distributed virtual machine. We found that this model allowed us to approach the problems of large infrastructures more effectively. This model was developed during the course of four years of mission-critical rollouts and administration of global financial trading floors. The typical infrastructure size was 300-1000 machines, but the principles apply equally as well to much smaller environments. Added together these infrastructures totaled about 15,000 hosts. Further refinements have been added since then, based on experiences at NASA Ames.
Could you build your own Virtual Space Center Second Life Grid?
Could this be used to train NASA staff and science students?
How will this scale with LPARs (Intel has 80 core cpu in testing).
Could you build your own Second Life Grid with Intel 80 LPARs and new
phase change memory? When will prices on hardware drop and Second Life be licensed?
http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=KLB2XQVKEYT04QSNDLRCKHSCJUNN2JVN?articleID=196901229
http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=KLB2XQVKEYT04QSNDLRCKHSCJUNN2JVN?articleID=188703213
http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=KLB2XQVKEYT04QSNDLRCKHSCJUNN2JVN?articleID=196901089
http://www.intel.com/cd/software/products/asmo-na/eng/294688.htm
Could NASA develop kid friendly SPACE Second Life? Could NASA develop simulations to meet needs of Challenger Learning Centers?
http://www.challenger.org/
BBC has created a kid friendly version of Second Life? Why can't NASA?
http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2007/01/23/bbc-to-launch-second-life-for-kids/
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1996898,00.html

Sites for Kids to build Simulations:
MSWLogo/Logic - 2D + 3D Graphics
http://www.softronix.com/logo.html
http://www.softronix.com/logic.html (Electronics simulation)
MAYA personal learning edition - 3D Graphics
http://www.autodesk.com/maya-trial
XNA + C# Build your own 3D Games
MS/XNA game creation studio:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/beginner/kids/csharp/
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/game/default.aspx
http://www.xnatutorial.com/
http://www.riemers.net/eng/Tutorials/XNA/Csharp/series1.php
Immune Attack software - 3D immune system game
http://www.fas.org/immuneattack/
Celestia Solar System simulator - 3D solar system
http://www.shatters.net/celestia/
Eclipse Open Development - Software Developer
http://www.eclipse.org/
Pmwiki - Wiki web server for project documentation
http://www.pmwiki.org/

hbrown@sisna.com