Programming a 2D Platform Game using Scratch

[mozfest-bot]

[ ID ] feac625f-b845-4fd6-9707-b8a903989507

[ Submitter's Name ] Nat Cooper [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] Ladies Learning Code [ Submitter's Twitter ] @natacoops

[ Space ] digital [ Secondary Space ] youth

[ Format ] hands-on

Description

In this beginner-friendly hands-on workshop, participants will learn introductory programming concepts and computational thinking by creating a 2D platformer video game using the graphical programming language Scratch.

We believe that by using Scratch as the tool to learn to code, participants of all ages and skill-levels will be able to assemble the necessary building blocks of the game while learning how to create something similar to the popular “Flappy Bird” game. Learners will be introduced to functional programming concepts such as loops, events, variables and conditional logic statements. By using these concepts, participants will build a horizontal scrolling effect like most 2D platformer games, learn about sprites and motion animation, and program realistic gravity effects for their sprite character.

Agenda

Our team is experienced in delivering workshops that are engaging, rich in content, concise and accessible for beginners. We believe it is important for learners to walk away with a finished project at the end of the session - in this case, their own game.

The workshop content itself is very step-by-step and built in such a way that will make it easy for learners to follow our instructions along with the instructor also building the game on a projector or screen that they can follow.

We will provide the slide deck and all files / assets learners will need to build the game - available through github or usb. We require WiFi and ideally computers - or learners bring their own. Otherwise, all we need is an internet browser and a Scratch account (easy to set up the day of).

Participants

We are prepared to accommodate any number of participants with our workshop content. With at least two facilitators, we always ensure one is instructing the class while the other is buzzing around ensuring participants are understanding the necessary steps and aren’t falling behind.

If it is a smaller group of 3, then they are in luck! They get a more customized experience where we will likely breeze through the content and spend extra time customizing their individual games. If it’s a larger group like 20 - 25 participants, we won’t have as much time for customization and emphasize the importance of working together to ensure we stay on time and can get through all the content.

We will need minimum 2 hours, but hopefully 3 hours for the workshop. In the unlikely chance we do not finish the content in time, learners are invited to download the material on their own at home and follow the step-by-step visual instructions to continue building their game.

Outcome

After our workshop, participants will be encouraged to continue building on their game in Scratch, and will be provided with ideas on how to enhance or improve it on their own. They will also be provided with free resources to continue researching game development online.

Of course, it is always our hope that after every workshop, participants leave feeling inspired and empowered to create technology. We believe that video games are an especially powerful medium to captivate the interest of people from all backgrounds and inspire them to create those games themselves. If we can make coding accessible enough and show people it is possible - and enjoyable - to learn code and make games, then we succeed in our mission of inspiring people of all backgrounds to create awesome digital things.

[ArtsAward]

Thanks Nat, this sounds like a great beginners session in game design and Scratch @ArtsAward

[natacoops]

Thanks Julie! We are keen to learn more details about Mozfest and whether or not our submission has been accepted. Excited to hear more!

Thanks again! Nat

On Wednesday, 20 July 2016, JulieN notifications@github.com wrote:

Thanks Nat, this sounds like a great beginners session in game design and Scratch @ArtsAward https://github.com/ArtsAward

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/MozillaFoundation/mozfest-program-2016/issues/144#issuecomment-233871608, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AHo0pguasfRrpfSlzp34plDlnENBTwFmks5qXdNkgaJpZM4JP9tl .

Nat Cooper Creative Director - Ladies Learning Code

nat@ladieslearningcode.com | @natacoops http://twitter.com/@natacoops | 647-629-1402

[ArtsAward]

@natacoops Hi Nat, thanks for your message - I will be in touch later this week once the curation process is complete for the digital arts and culture space! I am accepting your session and I will email you with further details! Julie

[natacoops]

Awesome news! Thanks Julie!

On Wednesday, 31 August 2016, JulieN notifications@github.com wrote:

@natacoops https://github.com/natacoops Hi Nat, thanks for your message

• I will be in touch later this week once the curation process is complete for the digital arts and culture space! I am accepting your session and I will email you with further details! Julie

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/MozillaFoundation/mozfest-program-2016/issues/144#issuecomment-243732730, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AHo0psxq7hkspwZXKZ6y_LLGSRxsu2YRks5qlWF5gaJpZM4JP9tl .

Nat Cooper Creative Director - Ladies Learning Code

nat@ladieslearningcode.com | @natacoops http://twitter.com/@natacoops | 647-629-1402

[ArtsAward]

Session withdrawn due to lack of funds to attend @edrushka