Students learn about technology from the past on Retro Tech Day, Mon. March 2. Retro Tech is one of five themes that will be observed for Teen Tech Week 2015 in the Clarke Central High School Media Center. “All of these turntables were under my bed,” Media Specialist Lindy Weaver said. Photo by Sophie Fernandes.
The Clarke Central High School Teen tech Team kickstarts Teen Tech Week 2015 with a blast from the past on Mon., March 2.
By GRACE POLANECZKY – Staff Writer
Eighties house music plays in the Clarke Central High School Media Center on Mon., March 2, as students play retro video games, look at vintage machines and use iPads to scan various QR codes for clues to a scavenger hunt on Retro Tech Day, the first day of CCHS’s Teen Tech Week 2015. The event, which aims to demonstrate the value of libraries as communities, will continue with a new theme every day until Fri., March 6.
Visitors were able to use modern devices to learn about technological history in a hands-on way. Using iPads, visitors could scan QR codes placed around the room next to different vintage objects like record players, typewriters and old handheld games. By scanning the code, participants could get clues for a virtual scavenger hunt to win a prize.
All of the vintage items on display were provided collaboratively by CCHS staff, and those participating in Teen Tech Week were surprised to find how many people still had these old pieces.
“All of these turntables were under my bed,” Media Specialist Lindy Weaver said.
As part of the event, Teen Tech Team students will present their personal “passion projects,” which will correspond with the technology-related theme of each day.
For his passion project, senior Steven Gaines created an extensive retro music playlist, accompanied by visual aids throughout showing the cultural origin of the genre, the typical instruments used in making the music and other important information regarding the songs. This provided Retro Tech Day visitors with an engaging and enjoyable listening experience.
“I found that a lot of my favorite music genres were from the past, so I recreated them and figured out what makes them the genre that they are,” Gaines said. “All the music is from the ‘60s through to the ‘90s. No trance though.”
