Learning to program is child's play!
Why Programming?
Through programming, children learn how to be creators, rather than passive consumers of digital content. This teaches them essential problem-solving skills, uniting creativity with logic and reason.
CodeCamp aims to give your child the tools he or she needs to face tomorrow’s challenges in a fun and engaging manner.
Think of CodeCamp as a gym, where kids can train and strengthen their cognitive muscles through practice and application.
Learning should be fun!
Who is it for?
The recommended age is 7 and up. The course is intended as a first approach to programming, so no previous experience is required.
Children are allowed to progress at their own pace, leveraging their innate abilities and knowledge in an atmosphere that supports, challenges and stimulates them, along the way.
When?
Classes run daily from M – F with two slots to choose from:
4:00PM – 5:00PM
5:00PM – 6:00PM
(you are welcome to sign up for both slots if you wish)
Where?
We are in the process of finding a suitable meeting space in the Park Slope area – the exact location will be announced shortly.
(Sign up below to the newsletter to be alerted).
Program
The space is limited to 15 students, so sign up now to reserve your spot!
Please indicate your schedule preference when you sign up:
Moon Dozer: Monday & Wednesday
Mars Rover: Tuesday & Thursday
Venus Hopper: Friday (You may combine with any or all from above).
Price is discounted based on frequency.
Method
Children will design their own video game using a Project-Based Learning approach.
They will establish its rules and requirements and then implement it to the best of their ability, adhering to their design choices.
CodeCamp strives to foster a strong spirit of collaboration. A valuable life skill, children will be encouraged to communicate their ideas while working cooperatively in groups of 2 to 4.
We will employ Scratch, the coding platform developed by MIT University with children in mind.
This platform makes learning to code more accessible to children because it does away with syntax, one of the initial frustrations for beginning coders.
There are no language commands to type into the computer; instead, children provide instructions by snapping together prefabricated Lego-like building blocks, freeing them to focus instead on the logic and flow of execution of their programs.
For older children, ready to get their feet wet with a bona-fide programming language, we will use Phaser3, a Javascript HTML5 game engine.
This will allow them to learn to code while being deeply invested in a game that they themselves create and can share with their friends, while learning Javascript, the prime language used in web development.
What will you learn?
The children will develop a full-fledged casual game that can be played in the browser. In the process, they will learn the following concepts related to programming and beyond:
- Variables
- Arrays and Lists
- Iteration
- Control Structures
- Functions
- Message Passing
- Hit and Mouse Detection
- Procedural Drawing
- Animation
- Procedural Music Creation
- Vector & Bitmap Drawing
…and much, much more!
Who teaches?
The program is developed and taught by Michael Montoya. With a degree from Harvard University in Visuals Studies, and a career that spans well over two decades, Michael has variously worked as a director and animator for television broadcast, as a visual strategist and consultant creating rich visualizations through his company, Insight Visuals, as well as a web developer.
His work as a director and animator on Metal Man, a PSA for television broadcast, earned him a Clio Award. His animation has been screened in festivals worldwide including the Ottawa International Animation Festival, The Hiroshima International Film Festival and The Berlin International Film Festival.
With CodeCamp, he brings to bear his vast experience across these industries as well as his passion for teaching.
How much does it cost?
The entire cost of the fall session, follows the following fee schedule, intended to provide greater savings based on attendance:
Drop in attendance is also available for $30 per session, but space is subject to availability – please check in advance.
What do I need?
BYOD (Bring your own device). Each student should bring his own laptop or tablet (this will ensure he or she can continue his or her project at home).
For those with a laptop, you can download the Scratch offline editor here.
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