With Mark DeNardo
FUNDAMENTALS OF GAME DESIGN: Scratch and Pico-8
This course teaches students programmatic thinking and game design in Scratch for beginners through the Fundamentals of Scratch curriculum. Students who have graduated from this curriculum will be working in the game framework Pico-8. Scratch is a block-based coding system designed by MIT, which allows students to learn software engineering concepts through creative coding and game design. We will make games, creative projects, and learn lessons on variables, loops, UI/UX, and functions. Students will move sprites make music, create game loops, and build complex systems of art and play. Pico-8 is a game system made for advanced students to learn software engineering, game design, through the use of Lua code, music trackers, and sprite sheets. Students in this part of class will learn variables, loops, functions, and game states. Moving sprites, composing music/sfx, designing creative coding scenarios, and building games are all activities they can look forward to, and enjoy. 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.By the end of the semester, students will have a portfolio of Scratch and/or Pico-8 games.
Livecoding
Live coding is writing and sharing code in-process, a common practice used to teach coding. Live coding is also a form of performing arts: composing music, visual art, movement and written word through the process of code. In these two courses, students will explore disciplines in the arts through the process of live code. Students will code and perform songs, poems, dances, videos and images, to reinforce their understanding of software engineering and the frameworks we use to form best practices.
This is a two semester course; over the 2024 – 2025 school year students will focus on specific skills in code languages typical to practices in each form. By the end of each semester, students will have a portfolio of skills and the confidence to perform them in front of an audience. There will be individual and group performances in the form of a recital at the end of each semester. These classes are open to all ages and levels of experience. Kids who have experience in music, live performance, movement, and writing are encouraged to apply.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Fall 2024 :
Synthesis and Visual Coding: Learning and performing the basics of modular synthesis. How synthesizers work and how Visual Coding (like Scratch) can be applied to perform experimental music forms. Students will design their own synths, and compose/perform ambient synth sounds in visual code.
Sampling, Synthesis and Scripting in Ruby: Learning data types, loops, conditionals and functions in Ruby to perform melodies, beats, and songs. Students will create beats, samples, songs and sounds in styles of techno, hip-hop, classical, and experimental in Ruby code.
Spring 2025 :
Poetry and Storytelling in Web Tools: Children will tell stories and perform poems using common web tools: HTML, Python, Javascript, and CSS. In the Github and Trello frameworks, we will design immersive experiences for audience members to enjoy.
Dance and AI: Using Artificial intelligence motion capture tools and video synths, we will build cybernetic dance pieces, inventing movement and play that will paint massive video canvases an audience can enjoy.
LEGO SPIKE Design Workshop
LEGO SPIKE is a fun robotic framework that allows students to explore coding and design concepts. In this class, we will start at the very beginning of coding concepts and engineering…gradually increasing the complexity of lessons and 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 also 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.
Industrial Design: 2D / 3D Fabrication
Industrial design is a process of design applied to physical products that are to be manufactured by mass production. It is the creative act of determining and defining a product’s form and features, which takes place in advance of the manufacture or production of the product.
In this course we will be using 3D printers and Laser Cutters to design and build Models, Figurines, App UI, Appliances, Furniture, and much more. This is an excellent class for students interested in learning how to ideate and build in the classical forms of Architecture and Design, using software and contemporary building tools.
We will make and design using the Makerbot Printer and TinkerCAD programs. Children with experience in these frameworks will discover new challenges and ideas in these classes.
This class is also great for beginners.
By the end of each semester, students will have a portfolio of their designs, and the inspiration to make more.
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 block-based and Python coding, and to understand the concepts of objects, classes, variables, and functions. We use code to work with the Agent, a helper bot included in the Minecraft Education program. Students will enjoy survival open play, building creative worlds, accomplishing STEM challenges, and focusing on working as a group to solve coding problems. This is a course for young students, who wish to understand the basics of software engineering and design in a really fun game. Students do not require familiarity with MINECRAFT, but a little is helpful. Knowing how to listen, solve problems, use a mouse and keyboard, and have fun will be helpful for this class.