Jr Programmer: Intro to 2D Game Development with Scratch
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Take your first steps into the world of professional software development and hardware integration! This camp uses the intuitive Scratch programming language as a springboard into high-level computational thinking and electrical engineering. We don't just "drag and drop"—we architect complex systems.
Advanced Software Logic
Campers will move past simple scripts to explore the structural side of game design. Key programming concepts include:
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Custom Blocks & Functions: Learning how to write "clean code" by creating reusable procedures.
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Variables & Game States: Managing scores, health bars, and complex win/loss conditions.
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Flowcharting: Planning out logic visually before a single block is placed—a crucial skill for any professional developer.
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Classic Game Mechanics: Deconstructing and rebuilding the physics behind iconic titles like Pac-Man and Flappy Bird.
Bridging the Digital and Physical
What sets this camp apart is the introduction of Electrical Engineering. Students won't just stay behind a screen; they will learn how software interacts with the physical world:
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Circuit Fundamentals: Understanding how electricity flows and how to complete a circuit.
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Physical Components: Integrating external hardware—such as buttons, LEDs, or controllers—to interact with their digital Scratch projects.
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Hardware-Software Interfacing: Learning how a physical "press" becomes a digital "jump."
The Creative Lab
Throughout the week, the lab environment encourages Rapid Prototyping. Students start with a basic mechanic, test its "fun factor," and iterate until they have a polished application. Whether they are building a complex platformer or a piece of interactive art, they are learning the Engineering Design Process in real-time.
Skills for the Future
By the end of the week, campers will have developed a robust portfolio of games and a foundational understanding of both computer science and electronics. They leave with the confidence to tackle more advanced text-based languages and a deeper curiosity about how the gadgets in their daily lives actually work.
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