Course overview
Duration: 8 weeks
Total hours: 24 hours (3 hours per week)
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Age group: Grades 7 to 10
Course content: Download the course flyer (PDF)
Students explore game development using Scratch, Python, Pygame and JavaScript.
Course structure (8 weeks, 24 hours)
Module 1 (Weeks 1 to 2, 6 hours): Introduction to game design with Scratch
Key topics
Game elements: goals, rules, scoring
Events, loops, and conditionals
Sprites and animations
Basic collision detection
Activities
Build a Click the Target game
Create a maze game
Add scoring and sound effects
Outcome: Students understand game logic and can build a simple interactive 2D game.
Module 2 (Weeks 3 to 4, 6 hours): Python programming foundations
Key topics
Variables, input/output
If statements and loops
Functions and basic debugging
Simple game logic structure
Activities
Create a number guessing game
Build a quiz game
Develop a short text adventure game
Outcome: Students can write structured Python programs and understand programming fundamentals.
Module 3 (Weeks 5 to 6, 6 hours): 2D game development with Pygame
Key topics
Game window setup
Game loop and frame rate
Movement and keyboard controls
Collision detection and scoring
Activities
Build a Catch the Falling Objects game
Create a car dodging game
Outcome: Students can build a basic arcade-style 2D game using Python and Pygame.
Module 4 (Week 7, 3 hours): Web game development with JavaScript
Key topics
Introduction to HTML Canvas
JavaScript game loop
Player controls and animation
Basic scoring system
Activity: Create a simple Pong game
Outcome: Students understand how browser-based games work and can build a simple web game.
Week 8 (3 hours): Final capstone project
Build your own game. Students will:
Design a game concept
Choose a platform (Scratch, Python/Pygame, or JavaScript)
Add a scoring system and increasing difficulty
Present their playable game
Project requirements
Clear objective
Score system
Player controls
Basic animation or sound
Short presentation (3 to 5 minutes)
Tools and technologies
Scratch
Python
Pygame
JavaScript
VS Code or a similar code editor
Web browser (Chrome/Edge)
Course learning outcomes
By the end of 8 weeks, students will be able to:
Understand core programming concepts (variables, loops, conditions)
Build simple 2D games using Scratch
Write basic programs in Python
Create a playable arcade-style game using Pygame
Develop a simple web-based game using JavaScript
Present and explain their game development process