Focus Learning Summer Tech Camp 2022: Game Design: MakeCode Arcade Half-Day

Click on this link for all of our information on our half-day and full-day programs we have to offer during our 2022 Summer Camp! 

Tech Program

Game Design: MakeCode Arcade 

 This innovative software gives students a much richer ability within its more limited graphics. E.g. MakeCode Arcade has things like level editors, which Scratch lacks.  It is also easier to teach basic game design concepts and another cool thing missing from Scratch is that you can easily switch from blocks to JavaScript. So it is easier in MakeCode to transition to real programming. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of game design and programming using events, loops, if/else statements, variables and arrays.  Projects in both programs will be as follows:

Areas of Focus:

• Getting started on Arcade.  Students will program a top-down shooting game like Galaga.
• Students will program a maze game with multi levels.
• Students will program a scrolling platformer game.

Teacher Expertise:  Charles Rotenberg began using the Lego Mindstorms Robotics System from its origins in 1998. In addition, he has used the Vex Robotics systems extensively for building and competitions.  Accordingly, he has provided instruction to thousands of students over his teaching career in Los Angeles and Toronto.  Since joining the Toronto French School in 2014 to build a competitive robotics and math program, he has coached and mentored students in enrichment programs, camps and clubs, and robotic competitions for children in grades 2 through 8.  Many of his first students are now graduating and have chosen engineering and computer science careers in Canada’s top university programs.  More importantly, these students have taken the experience of failing to succeed into other life pursuits such as competitive swimming, game design and music.