Description:<\/strong> AI Tie-In:<\/strong> Progression Notes:<\/strong> Recommended for:<\/strong> Ages 8\u201312<\/strong> (no prior coding experience needed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd52 Duration<\/strong>: 6 weeks Description:<\/strong> AI Tie-In:<\/strong> Progression Notes:<\/strong> Recommended for:<\/strong> Ages 9\u201314<\/strong> (best for those who have completed Coding 1 or have some prior coding experience).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd52 Duration<\/strong>: 6 weeks (often repeated once for mastery) Description:<\/strong> AI Tie-In:<\/strong> Progression Notes:<\/strong> Recommended for:<\/strong> Ages 10\u201315<\/strong> (must be comfortable with Python basics \u2014 typically after Coding 2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd52 Duration<\/strong>: 6 weeks Description:<\/strong> AI Tie-In:<\/strong> Progression Notes:<\/strong> Recommended for:<\/strong> Ages 11\u201316<\/strong> (must be confident in Python and able to work independently on coding challenges).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd52 Duration<\/strong>: 6 weeks Description:<\/strong> AI Tie-In:<\/strong> Progression Notes:<\/strong> Recommended for:<\/strong> Ages 12\u201317<\/strong> (must have completed Coding 4 or have equivalent experience).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udd52 Duration<\/strong>: 8 weeks (longer final project) Coding 1: Story Games with Scratch Description:This class is the perfect first step into coding. Students will design and build interactive games using Scratch, a block-based programming language developed by MIT. They\u2019ll create original characters, develop animated stories, and add game logic like scoring and winning. Along the way, they\u2019ll learn foundational coding concepts: loops, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-80","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n
This class is the perfect first step into coding. Students will design and build interactive games using Scratch, a block-based programming language developed by MIT. They\u2019ll create original characters, develop animated stories, and add game logic like scoring and winning. Along the way, they\u2019ll learn foundational coding concepts: loops, conditionals, variables, and event handling \u2014 all through creative projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students use AI tools to brainstorm story ideas, design game challenges, and generate dialogue or game names. This helps them turn their imagination into structured game specs \u2014 and learn how AI can support the creative process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are 5 levels in Coding 1. Each level goes deeper by introducing new coding concepts and new projects. While there are students who move to Python (Coding 2) after one session, most students stay in Coding 1 for 5 sessions until they have a strong foundation before transitioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcc5 Dates<\/strong>: September 8 – October 20 (no class on October 13), 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
\ud83d\udcb5 Price<\/strong>: $180<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCoding 2: Intro to Python \u2013 Build Your First Games<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Students shift from visual to text-based coding in this beginner Python course. We\u2019ll use simple tools like turtle graphics and interactive text games to introduce Python syntax, logic, and structure. By the end, students will build a few basic games and understand core programming concepts like variables, loops, conditionals, functions, and lists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students use ChatGPT to ask questions, get code examples, and troubleshoot errors. They learn how to phrase prompts, verify outputs, and use AI as a helpful assistant \u2014 not a crutch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students who complete this class can either repeat with new projects or move to Coding 3, where they begin working with AI-generated game frameworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcc5 Dates<\/strong>: September 8 – October 20 (no class on October 13), 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
\ud83d\udcb5 Price<\/strong>: $180<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCoding 3: Python Game Projects with AI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In this class, students bring their dream game ideas to life. They\u2019ll learn to collaborate with AI tools (like ChatGPT) to generate starter code for simple 2D games using Pygame Zero or similar platforms. Then, they refine and debug that code with the instructor’s guidance \u2014 learning new concepts as needed. Students build a custom project from scratch with support \u2014 while strengthening their Python fluency, problem-solving, and logic skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AI becomes a co-pilot: students write prompts like \u201cMake a Python game where a cat jumps over spikes,\u201d then analyze and improve the AI-generated code. The instructor scaffolds learning based on project complexity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Projects become more complex in Coding 4. Students must show comfort with functions, loops, and basic game flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcc5 Dates<\/strong>: October 27 – December 1, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
\ud83d\udcb5 Price<\/strong>: $180<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCoding 4: Game Mechanics & Algorithms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Students deepen their understanding of game logic, physics, and algorithms. They build platformers, puzzle games, and action games by combining code structures they\u2019ve already seen with more complex patterns: arrays, multi-level scoring, timers, collisions, and animations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students use AI to brainstorm challenges, design level layouts, or modify game behaviors \u2014 all while testing and debugging advanced AI-assisted code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This level focuses on both problem-solving<\/strong> and clean code writing<\/strong> \u2014 preparing students for portfolio work in Coding 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcc5 Dates<\/strong>: tba
\ud83d\udcb5 Price<\/strong>: $180<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCoding 5: Advanced Projects & Portfolio Games<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In this capstone course, students work independently on one major game or app project. The focus is on planning, documentation, collaboration with AI tools, and producing a polished, playable game. This is excellent preparation for a high school or college portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students use AI at all stages: planning, prototyping, testing, and even commenting code. They\u2019ll also reflect on AI\u2019s limitations and practice responsible use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Graduates of this level may pursue electives (Unity, Roblox, JS\/Web Dev) or join special project teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcc5 Dates<\/strong>: tba
\ud83d\udcb5 Price<\/strong>: $240<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"