"building things is FUN" Start with that point. In fact turn it around and say "Let's have some FUN..and also happen to build things" The other points are too

"building things is FUN" Start with that point. In fact turn it around and say "Let's have some FUN..and also happen to build things" The other points are too abstract for 7th graders. For example, 2) is strongly empirical, partly circular reasoning. 3) and 5) will only appeal to the academic types who anyway work towards scoring in exams. A demo would be great. Tune into some part of kiddie pop culture (some handheld game or Myspace or whatever) and demo how that can be built. No need for snazzy graphics, Even a bare bones version will work. (I'd go for HTML, Javascript. Biggest reason is that it's easily accessible everywhere, and comes with a decent UI toolkit and Turing complete language) I'm assuming you have been invited since you are a practising professional. It's the job of the teacher to explain how things will be (points 2 to 5). You ought to be that person in front of them for those few hours. Walk the talk. Show the enthu in your eyes, voice. Kids pick up such things better than any words. Every gesture in your body language will matter. Unless you successfully come across as cool, 4) will be a waste. Hope that helps :)