One of our most popular classes, this is the ideal starting place for kids who want to code, but don’t quite know where to start, or who have had some exposure to coding but are not yet ready to progress to more advanced languages. In this class, students will learn Scratch, a drag-and-drop coding system. Students will learn by initially building a small video game or cool animation, and then progressing to more complex projects. Along the way, they will learn universal coding concepts applicable for more advanced coding languages such as Python, Java, and C#.

• Result: A series of small video games or animations. At least one more complex project.
• Badge Levels Earned: 1, 2, 3, 4

One of our most popular classes, Python 101 is perfect for kids with some coding experience who want to challenge themselves by going deep into Python’s capabilities. Students will navigate the text-based programming in IDLE, Python’s integrated development environment, and learn to write key building blocks of code, such as variables, conditionals, and loops. They will then combine these elements to create a video game to take home. More advanced students will tackle more complicated challenges including file I/O, arrays, and methods for efficient algorithm design.

• Result: Video game to take home and show to family and friends!
• Badge Levels Earned: 4, 5, 6 

Want to design and code video games or apps? This is the place! Some students begin by modifying existing platformer video games, then step up to building a 2D video game from scratch. Using PyGame, Python’s library of computer graphics and sound effects, these students learn code structure by tinkering with alternate physics and game designs, integrate new features into their worlds, use advanced data structures, explore and leverage PyGame libraries, and produce a playable advanced project to take home. Some students learn the same concepts by designing and building custom applications using advanced Python libraries such as Keras, Flask, and Image Recognition. Whatever your passion, come build something cool to bring home and level up your coding capabilities!

• Result: 2D advanced video game or custom application
• Badge Levels Earned: 6, 7, 8 

Are you ready for the ultimate Python challenge? This class is designed for students who have completed all 8 badge levels in our Python curriculum, and are ready to work on a team development environment such as one would find in a software company. Students will work as a team, select a project, develop a design approach, assign roles, put their Python skills to use, solicit user feedback, revise their work, and deliver a real application that will be published in locations such as the App Store or Google Play.

• Result: A real application built by the team ready for submission to popular application marketplaces
• Badge Levels Earned: 8