Fall 2020 Curriculum

Python Game Building (grades 5-12)

Lesson 1: Intro to Python

October 12, 2020 | Slides

Students will learn what a computer programming language is, why learning Python is worthwhile, and touch upon basic syntax in Python. Print statements, math operations, variables, and types will all be covered in this lesson. By the end of Lesson 1, students will be able to print a random number.

Lesson 2: Conditionals and Logic

October 16, 2020 | Slides

Students will learn about if statements, else statements, and elif statements. They will also learn the meaning of "and" and "or" in computer logic. By the end of Lesson 2, students will have a completed Rock, Paper, Scissors game.

Lesson 3: Loops

October 19, 2020 | Slides

Students will learn about for and while loops and the logic behind both. They will practice using both in applicable settings, and by the end of Lesson 3, will have a complete Random Number Guessing game that they can play against the computer.

Lesson 4: Methods and Classes

October 23, 2020 | Slides

Students will learn about the anatomy of methods and classes, and practice writing their own examples of each. They will learn what parameters and method calls are, and by the end of Lesson 4, they will have a completed MadLib Generator.

Lesson 5: Lists

October 26, 2020 | Slides

Students will learn about lists in Python, as well as their applications. To see a real application of lists, as well as the methods that can be performed on lists, students will practice making grocery lists.

Lesson 6: 2D Lists and Dictionaries

October 30, 2020 | Slides

Students will learn how 2D lists and dictionaries can be utilized in Python. By the end of Lesson 6, they will have a solid foundation in lists, traversing lists, and dictionaries. They will also try storing car data in a dictionary.

Final Project

November 2, 2020 | Slides

After students have progressed through the first 6 lessons, they will be guided through creating their own game: Treasure Hunter. In this game, players must find 3 gold nuggets on a 5 by 5 grid before their turns are up. This project utilizes a little bit of every lesson, and will allow students to walk away with a concrete game they created themselves.

Game Design Junior's (grades K-4)

Lesson 1: Intro to Coding

October 12, 2020 | Slides

Students will learn what coding is, its real life implications, and familiarize themselves with Scratch, a block-based programming language.

Lesson 2: Exploring Scratch

October 16, 2020 | Slides

Students will learn about the different programming languages used in Game Design and app development. While on Scratch, they will explore implementing Sprites (characters) and utilizing various blocks as they create their first interactive program.

Lesson 3: Time Traveler Project

October 23, 2020 | Slides

Students will create a Time Traveler project, learning how to use the coordinate grid, if-then statements, and forever loops.

Lesson 4: Maze Project

October 30, 2020 | Slides

Students will create an interactive maze within Scratch, learning how to implement sensing blocks and gaining exposure to Scratch backgrounds.

Lesson 5: Whack-A-Mole Project

November 6, 2020 | Slides

Students will learn how to create their own variables within Scratch and utilize random blocks as they develop the whack-a-mole arcade game.

Scratch Games

You can find some of the games completed in Game Design Juniors here: