Summer Youth Camps

Grades 6th & 7th

In this exciting hands-on course, participants will dive into the world of game development using Scratch, a beginner-friendly visual programming language, and then expand their skills by creating a custom controller using Makey-Makey. This course is designed for beginners with little to no prior coding experience, making it perfect for curious minds and budding game developers. During the first part of the course, participants will learn the basics of game design, programming logic, and animation using Scratch. They will explore fundamental programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, variables, and events while creating their own interactive games. From designing characters and backgrounds to adding sound effects and game mechanics, participants will unleash their creativity and build fully functional games. In the second part of the course, participants will move beyond traditional input methods and learn how to build a custom game controller using Makey-Makey. Makey-Makey is an invention kit that allows users to turn everyday objects into touchpads and connect them to a computer, turning imagination into interactive reality. Participants will explore circuitry basics, learn how to connect different materials to Makey-Makey, and customize their controllers to enhance gameplay experiences.

About the Instructor:

Kristine Penca is an enthusiastic and dedicated science and engineering teacher with a passion for STEAM education. With a focus on middle school years encompassing grades 5 through 8, Kristine brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her classroom. She is a firm advocate for integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) into the curriculum, believing in the power of interdisciplinary learning to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in her students. Throughout her career, Kristine has demonstrated a strong commitment to hands-on, project-based learning experiences that engage students in real-world applications of scientific and engineering principles. Her dynamic teaching style encourages curiosity, exploration, and experimentation, creating an environment where students feel empowered to explore their interests and develop a deep understanding of STEM concepts.