An introduction to HTML, CSS and Javascript in web design

by Cindy Luo

What is HTML, CSS and Javascript?

HTML, or HyperTest Markup language, is used for the overall structure of web pages. HTML allows us to insert content such as text, images, headings, links and more. Think of it as a skeleton—without HTML you would not be able to keep other parts of the website in their place.

CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, controls the aesthetics of the web page. It allows for fonts, colors, layouts and more. These aspects are important, because if websites were unappealing  readers might be uninterested in exploring and staying on the page or possibly find it unreadable. Formatting allows the information to be more readily accessible and easier to navigate as a reader. CSS also helps the webpage adapt to different devices—a new look for every different-sized screen. Without this feature, a website’s usefulness might be limited, or overlooked by those using incompatible devices.

Lastly, Javascript manages the dynamics of a web page. Responsive features like animations and real-time updates are possible because no page refreshes are required. Submitting forms  and interacting with the page become possible, creating a more immersive experience for the user.

A combination of these three languages—HTML for structure, CSS for style, and JavaScript for interactivity—allows for a fully functioning, dynamic webpage. Together, they form the infrastructure of modern web development, allowing developers to build engaging and user-friendly sites that meet the needs of diverse audiences.

Why is learning this important?

If you are interested in becoming a front-end developer, a user experience or user interface (UX/UI) designer or even a full-stack developer, HTML, CSS and Javascript are essential. Nearly every web development project relies on knowledge of these languages—from simple web pages to complex web applications. Companies nowadays are looking for individuals with technical skill sets as both a web developer or engineer who works on both the front-end and back-end of a website or web application (a full stack developer), and learning these languages will advantage anyone interested in these careers.

If you are not so interested in becoming a web developer, these languages can still be very useful. By learning these skills you can develop your own pages—a portfolio, a personal page, or a project website. Mastering HTML, CSS and Javascript can come in handy often, particularly when the presentations of important information to audiences is critical. Additionally, developing and designing your own website is fun!

If you want to get started, check out my next blog post!

Getting Started with Online Training Resources

So now, you want to get started! As a web development beginner, there are numerous resources available to help you learn. Online platforms like Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, and W3Schools offer interactive courses that guide you through the basics of each language. 

I started with freeCodeCamp, a free course that takes a couple of months to finish. It allows for a hands-on approach, helping you build actual projects while learning. There are certifications that you can obtain through this course, which you can add to your resume to help you find future work opportunities!

Learning on Codeacademy is more structured, so if that’s what you prefer this would be great for you! Some content in this course is free, but a pro subscription allows you to take quizzes, embark on projects and personalize your learning journey while also preparing for success in qualifying for certifications.

W3Schools is another great resource for explanations and examples of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. If you are stuck on a project and want help for a quick solution, this is the place to go! It is also great for revising concepts.

As you progress and become more advanced, you can look at resources such as courses on Coursera, Mozilla Developer Network web documents or YouTube videos. These allow for a deep dive into web development after you’ve mastered the basics. Look for high ratings and reviews on Coursera. Coursera courses are well-structured and are good at reinforcing your learning. 

The Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) web docs provide documentation on the three languages, also providing tutorials and practice. Youtube channels such as Traversy Media, The Net Ninja, and Academind also offer comprehensive resources on web development with a range of difficulties.

Joining communities such as GitHub or Stack Overflow will provide you with support and inspiration. On GitHub, you can explore open-source projects, contribute to repositories and start your own projects. By gaining hands-on experience in this way, you can accelerate your learning. Stack Overflow is invaluable for troubleshooting and getting answers when you run into a problem. The community is active and willing to help, making it a great place to learn from others’ experiences. Don't hesitate to ask questions, but also take the time to read through existing answers—there’s a wealth of knowledge already available.

An Introduction to Algorithmic Trading

 Algorithmic Trading at First Glance 

John Voight, Christian Hadad, Roman Steis

September 16, 2024

What is algorithmic trading? Is it practical? How significant is algorithmic trading? What if we told you around 65% of trades in the stock market are made under the influence of algorithmic trading? This statistic alone piqued the interest of our team as we took on an internship at Virginia Tech’s Qualcomm Thinkabit Lab. We formulated a plan to research the effectiveness of algorithmic trading in the stock market using simple moving averages to predict different trends of certain stocks. Using Google CoLab, we wrote a script in Python to get the 50-day moving averages as well as the 200-day moving averages of the inputted stock. When a short-term (50-day) SMA crosses above a long-term (200-day) SMA, it is identifying a bullish signal indicating a trader to buy. Conversely, when a short-term SMA crosses below the long-term SMA, it is identifying a bearish signal indicating a trader to sell. We then would backtest our method with the previous five years of the selected stock. 

Figure 1. Intersection of 50 and 200-day SMA

As we continued to conduct more research we realized our algorithm was not as optimal as it could be. Perhaps a 49-day SMA with a 201-day SMA will work better than the original, so we started to experiment with the numbers and found that some SMA days are better than others, but it is still

Climate Education Modules for Teachers

 

 I've not yet figured out the business model here, but if you complete 3 modules you get full access.

Click the image (right) or this link (https://www.theclimateinitiative.org/learninglab/teachers/) to get started.

How it works:

• Fill out the form and the TCI Method Teacher Modules Guide (PDF document) will be available for immediate download.
• Complete the three Teacher Modules which will just take minutes of your time to complete and will arm you with the background on how to approach incorporating Learning Lab into your classroom.
• Upon completion of the Teacher Modules, you receive access to our nine Learning Lab Modules: Renewable Energy, Invasive Species, Sea Level Rise, Floods & Droughts, Wildfires, Climate Impacts & Solutions with En-ROADS, Climate Justice & Equity, Agriculture & Climate Change, and Civics Climate Action. These modules include week-by-week lesson plans, resources and student activity guides.

High School Internships and Senior Experience Externships this Summer

The work-based learning staff at Virginia Tech's Thinkabit Labs in the Washington, D.C. Area is welcoming students from nearby schools in Alexandria, Arlington, DC Public Schools, Fairfax, Falls Church, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, Prince George's County (MD), and Prince William County.  

We welcome students interested in any career path, but we are particularly oriented to support internships in Computer Science, Engineering (any), Environmental Science, Health and Medical Science, Natural Resources, Physical Computing, Public Policy / Government, and Social Sciences. 

While in-person and hybrid internships are encouraged, virtual internships may be limited due to the burdens of remote internships on staff. All internships should be 280 hours or more to meet the requirements of a high-quality work-based learning experience as defined by VDOE.  We strongly encourage in-person participation Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Senior Experience externships (40 hours) in May and June are available for any high school senior.

Send a message expressing your interest to Thinkabit@VT.edu.  

Register today - Invent Virginia / Invent DC regional event - April 13, 12 noon to 2pm

 Last-minute registration is possible, but please try to register online in advance to minimize delays when you arrive.

The form will require only a few minutes.  Those under 13 will require a parent to complete the form.

https://forms.gle/ojA1cyxNB8Pvchv79   

If you're unsure about a past registration, it won't hurt to register again.

Neurodivergent vs. Neurotypical Individuals: Understanding the Spectrum of Human Cognition and Behavior

 How do neurodiverse individuals differ from neurotypical individuals?

Nana Awuah, March 28, 2024

In the vast field of human cognition and behavior, diversity goes far past what most readers would anticipate. Neuroscience is the collected multidisciplinary sciences that analyze the nervous system to understand the biological basis for behavior (Bloom, 2013). The neurological variances resulting from the complex functioning and structure of the brain influence how individuals experience and engage with the world. In this blog article, I explore the various aspects of neurodiversity with the goal of distinguishing  between what is considered neurotypical and what is considered neurodivergent.

As the complexities of neurological diversity are revealed, I’ll aim to help you better understand and appreciate the distinctive perspectives that make each of us unique!

Defining Neurodiverse & Neurotypical

Neurodiverse is a term commonly used to describe persons displaying or characterized by autistic or other neurologically atypical patterns of thought or behavior. Gregor Wolbring (2007) provides a frequently cited definition, “Neurodiversity is defined as the whole of human mental or psychological neurological structures or behaviors, seen as not necessarily problematic, but as alternate, acceptable forms of human biology” (see Nelson, 2020). Individuals diagnosed with certain disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, dyslexia, dysgraphia, etc. are often identified as Neurodiverse.

On the other hand, Neurotypical is a term often used to describe persons who think, perceive, and behave in ways that are considered the norm by the general population. 

Many might ask, "Is neurotypical really identifiable? Is it simply the absence of a diagnosis? " Individual variances arise from differences in biological make-up, family history, and brain anatomy. This phrase is frequently used to characterize individuals whose neurological functioning and development are consistent with neurological expectations. It is context-dependent and somewhat broad, however, and there is likely no such thing as a "perfect" brain. 

Neurotypical individuals are often described as someone who thinks and processes information in an expected way for their culture and setting (Villines, 2022). Additionally, they can be identified through social context,  or a