With Mark DeNardo

Fundamentals of Scratch

This course teaches students programmatic thinking, and how to design games in Scratch. As a software engineer we will learn how to animate and clone sprites; code NPC behavior and create conditional statements; create UI/UX within the game system; utilize variables, functions, messaging, and loops; and create gameplay scenes with unique systems and behaviors. As a designer, we will ideate games, build paper prototypes, code them in scratch, and then finally playtest, iterate and publish their games. At the end of the class students will have a portfolio of Scratch games.

Machine Learning

This course at NEST+m considers how to make applications and art using machine learning. Two applications, Disco Diffusion, and Teachable Machine will be our paint and canvas. Through design thinking we will solve environmental, social, engineering, and industrial problems using these AI tools. We will also code a final project in python which will allow us to analyze music and complete  user goals. By the end of this class students will have a rich portfolio of web applications utilizing Machine Learning.

MINECRAFT: Game as Coding Framework

After3 is offering a new MINECRAFT course as part of the Coding Club curriculum. 

For MINECRAFT lovers, this course is not one to miss. Students will explore JAVA, and come to understand the objects, classes, variables, and functions available to apply to MODs and other exploits of the game platform, which is also a creative coding platform. Students can expect to focus a lot of time in cooperative play, building creative worlds, accomplishing STEM challenges, and focusing on working as a group to solve coding problems, through the block-based visual coding structure.

LEGO Robotics: STEM Design Workshop

LEGO is a fun, easy to learn system, which also has a robotic framework that allows students to explore coding and design concepts. In this class, we will start at the very beginning with concepts of coding through looking at LEGO…gradually increasing the complexity of systems that we explore and use in our projects.

Design and build motorized machines, catapults, pyramids, demolition derby cars, truss and suspension bridges, buildings, and other constructions. Explore concepts in physics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering, and architecture while playing with your favorite creations. This is a hands-on and minds-on class suitable for LEGO® novices to “maniacs.” This class is not affiliated with the LEGO Group.

This is a course for young students, who wish to understand the basics of software engineering and design through the lens of LEGO. Students do not require familiarity with LEGO, but a little is helpful. Students will be required to use a mouse and keyboard, typical of 20th century PC computers. The ability to listen, type on a keyboard, solve problems, and have fun is required for this class.

Storytelling and Web Development in Twine

This course teaches students Fullstack concepts and web application development through the lens of the branching narrative framework Twine. Students will learn to code in HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to build robust web applications within the Fullstack web development toolchain. As a storyteller, students will create branching narrative systems, explore genres of writing, and create a body of written work they can share online with friends and family. Twine is a free web based open source application, which exports as an executable HTML file, that many students of all ages would enjoy.