Overview

INTRO TO CODING AND VIDEO GAME DESIGN (mini courses)
Mini-Session 1: Wednesdays, January 26-March 9 (no class Feb 23; 6 weeks)
Mini-Session 2: Wednesdays, March 19-27 (no class Apr 6; 6 weeks)
9:30am-11:00am
Ages 10-14

Students learn the basics of coding and computational thinking as kids design and create custom video games. Students practice keyboarding, learn basic coding commands, understand the importance of syntax in making the program properly execute, learn to alter the code to create their own custom program, and troubleshoot when it does not work. This is not a drag and drop coding course, and is designed for students with very little to no programming command experience. Students must bring their own tablet or laptop (a physical keyboard is best). All lab costs are included in registration fee.

Instructor: Tonya Shearer, PhD
Location: STEM Lab (suite 21)
Course fee: $125/6-week session
10% sibling discount


MINI-SESSION 1 - LAB SCHEDULE:
Coding Basics - Wednesday, January 26

Students are introduced coding language and syntax as they create code for their own custom memes they can share.

Interactive Commands - Wednesday, February 2
We learn basic functions to make game images change and move as we customize our interactive game apps.

Loop Functions - Wednesday, February 9
Kids learn about loop functions and conditional statement to create a more complex game design, then code several games that use these functions.

Scoring Functions - Wednesday, February 16
We add a counting function to our game design so students can create games that keep score.

Chickens vs Zombies Game - Wednesday, March 2
We study the code of a classic interactive game we can customize and share with friends.

Game Sharing - Wednesday, March 9
Kids use the commands and functions they have learned to design and code their own custom game and share it with classmates and friends.


MINI SESSION 2 - LAB SCHEDULE:
More Functions - Wednesday, March 16

Kids are introduced to herd, spawn and touching functions to make their games more interactive.

Flappy Penguins Game - Wednesday, March 23
This week, we use new functions to code our version of the Flappy Bird Game.

Pac Crabs Maze Game - Wednesday, March 30
Kids learn to code their own interactive maze game that looks and functions just like a Pac-Man game

Super Plumber Jumper Game - Wednesday, April 13
Our version of a Mario Brothers game where we jump across the screen, collect coins, avoid obstacles and score points.

Multi-Level Game Design - Wednesday, April 20
We revisit our Chicken vs Zombies game to create an increasingly hard, multi-level game.

Game Sharing - Wednesday, April 27
Kids use the commands and functions they have learned to design and code their own custom game and share it with classmates and friends.

What to Bring
Cancellation Policy
About Discover Science Center
Discover Science Center is an informal science education enrichment lab whose purpose is to supplement the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and…
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