learn computer science through game development

Table of Contents

Overview

We are offering a full Computer Science Curriculum designed for children ages 8 – 16, called CodeCombat.

This program is made up of 10 courses:

  • Computer Science 1 to 6

  • Game Development 1 & 2

  • Web Development 1 & 2

Please note that this is a Computer Science Program and not a Computer Literacy Program.

Computer literacy is all about the competent and safe use of computing hardware and software. Computer science is all about computational thinking leading to critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation.

In these courses, students play an adventure game in which their knowledge of programming advances with the storyline. In this engaging and fun learning environment, students build real-world skills though play.

Students are engaged in:

  • Text-based coding in Python. Text-based coding is unlike the “drag and drop” type coding in MIT’s Scratch.

  • Real-life project based applications.

  • 21st Century skills (Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication and Collaboration)

No prior Computer Science experience is needed.

A certificate is issued after each course is successfully completed.

This is curriculum is recommended for Primary and Lower Secondary Level children. Many schools in the US are implementing CodeCombat as their main Computer Science curriculum.

To be accepted into this program:

  • Your child must want to be in this program and interested in Computer Coding and Game / Web Development.

  • Your child must commit to spending at least 1 hour per week on the course. If students do not complete the course within the given time limit their license will expire and they will have to pay an additional fee to continue.

  • Must be familiar with using Google Classroom as all notes and supporting material will be placed there. Live classes, if necessary will be done through Google Meet.

  • Must use the name they want to be on their certificate to create their student account.

  • A Desktop or Laptop computer must be used and internet connection is required. This program is browser based, there is no software to download and install. It is not supported on IPads or Android devices. CodeCombat runs best on computers with at least 4GB of RAM, on a modern browser such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge. Chromebooks with 2GB of RAM may have minor graphics issues in courses beyond Computer Science 3, though there should be minimal issues with the recommended content for AP® Computer Science Principles as outlined. A minimum of 200 Kbps bandwidth per student is required, although 1+ Mbps is recommended.

If you prefer to take classes directly from Code Combat, instead of us you can find information HERE

Costs through their site as an independent learner can vary between $300 US per month to $200 US per week. Whereas with us, your child can have access to up to 4 courses for $500 TTD.

By taking the course though us, students can team up with their peers in class to work on their projects together.

Why CodeCombat?

CodeCombat is a coding game that uses real typed code and personalized learning to teach computer science to students with no prior coding experience.

CodeCombat is recommended for schools with students aged 9 and up, which starts in 4th grade in the US or Standard 4 in Trinidad and Tobago. However, children ages 7+ are able to successfully work through and complete the courses with minimal assistance.

The program is currently being offered in Python Programming Language. Javascript will be offered at a later date. Python is both beginner-friendly and currently used by major corporations (such as Google). JavaScript’s syntax is a little more difficult for beginners than Python, therefore we are recommending starting with Python. The Web Development Courses are done in CSS and HTML. At the end of the Web & Game Development Courses students complete projects that they can share with their friends and family.

CodeCombat’s curriculum features:

  • A full end-to-end curricular solution for teaching AP® Computer Science Principles.

  • Free, self-paced professional development with oversight from our educational experts.

  • Real, typed code in either JavaScript or Python to support students’ creativity. (We are offering Python.)


CodeCombat’s curriculum does not feature (as of 2021):

  • AP® CSP Performance Tasks (practice with actual Exam past papers)

K12 STEM Homeschool Tutoring will only offer this section if there are enough students who are willing to take the College Board's AP® Computer Science Exam.


CodeCombat’s comprehensive curriculum are all you need to to prepare for College Board’s newest computer science course. AP® Computer Science Principles spotlights how computing is changing the world, and provides ample opportunity for students from all backgrounds to connect abstract concepts to real-world implications of the field.


Device Specifications

CodeCombat runs best on computers with at least 4GB of RAM, on a modern browser such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge. Chromebooks with 2GB of RAM may have minor graphics issues in courses beyond Computer Science 3, though there should be minimal issues with the recommended content for AP® Computer Science Principles as outlined. A minimum of 200 Kbps bandwidth per student is required, although 1+ Mbps is recommended.

Students must have a Gmail email account to access the Google Classroom.

Full Curriculum Details

There are a total of 10 Courses in this curriculum.

  1. Introduction to Computer Science

     Learn basic syntax, while loops, and the CodeCombat environment.

    Concepts covered: Basic Syntax, Arguments, Strings, While Loops, Variables, Algorithms

  2. Game Development 1 (Offered in the Bundle Package)

     Learn to create your own games which you can share with your friends.

    Concepts covered: Basic Syntax, Arguments, Place game objects, Construct mazes, Create a playable, sharable game project

  3. Web Development 1 (Offered in the Bundle Package)

     Learn the basics of web development in this introductory HTML & CSS course.

    Concepts covered: Basic HTML, Basic CSS, Alter existing web pages, Create a sharable web page

  4. Computer Science 2 (Offered in the Bundle Package)

     Introduces arguments, variables, if statements, and arithmetic.

    Concepts covered: Basic Syntax, Arguments, Strings, While Loops, Variables, If Statements, Functions, Parameters, Advanced Strings

  5. Game Development 2

     Learn more advanced game development.

    Concepts covered: Basic Syntax, Functions, Strings, If Statements, Arguments, Basic Input Handling, Basic Game AI, Create a playable, sharable game project

  6. Web Development 2

     Learn more advanced web development, including scripting to make interactive webpages.

    Concepts covered: Basic Syntax, Strings, While Loops, Variables, Arguments, If Statements, Functions, Basic HTML, Basic CSS, Basic Web Scripting, Advanced HTML, Basic JavaScript, Basic Event Handling, Create a sharable interactive web page

    All classes program in HTML / JavaScript for this course. Classes that have been using Python will start with extra JavaScript intro levels to ease the transition. Classes that are already using JavaScript will skip the intro levels.

  7. Computer Science 3

Introduces arithmetic, counters, advanced while loops, break, continue, arrays.

Concepts covered: Basic Syntax, Arguments, If Statements, Variables, Strings, While Loops, Arithmetic, Advanced Strings, Input Handling, Functions, Parameters, Boolean Logic, Arrays, Break Statements, Continue Statements


8. Game Development 3

Learn more advanced game development.

Concepts covered: Basic Syntax, Event Data


9. Computer Science 4

Introduces object literals, for loops, function definitions, drawing, and modulo.

Concepts covered: Basic Syntax, Arguments, Variables, Strings, If Statements, Arithmetic, While Loops, Arrays, Functions, Parameters, Object literals, For Loops, Boolean Logic


10. Computer Science 5

Introduces function parameters, function return values and algorithms.

Concepts covered: Basic Syntax, Arguments, Variables, Strings, While Loops, Arrays, For Loops, Functions, If Statements, Boolean Logic, Algorithms, Break Statements, Math Library Operations, Object literals, Arithmetic, Graphics, Advanced Strings, Parameters, Continue Statements


Costs

The curriculum is split into two parts.

Introductory Levels: $500 TTD per child.

Courses included:

  • Computer Science 1 (Introduction) & 2

  • Game Development 1

  • Web Development 1

Advanced Levels: $1200 TTD per child.

  • Computer Science 3 to 6

  • Game Development 2

  • Web Development 2


All registered students have the option of joining our free digital, library for the duration of their course.

Class Times

Students can start the course at any time. There is no catching up to others no matter when they register. Each child has his / her own account and work on their own. Pre-recorded lessons, class schedule, notes, worksheets and examples are uploaded to a Google Classroom.

Optional, live sessions are held on Saturdays for those who need assistance and are at no additional cost.

Below is a sample lesson video found in the classroom for the students' reference. Students learn something new in each level. There are extra practice levels and challenge levels. The challenge levels are assessments. All levels, including the challenge levels, must be completed before moving on to the other courses.

Sample Certificates

A certificate is issued automatically at the end of each course when the levels are completed.

Change your name in your account settings to the name you want to be seen on the certificate.


Computer science 1



Game Development 1

Try our students' Final Projects

Click on the links to play some of our student’s game or see their webpages that they created at the end of the introductory level courses.

Game 1

Game 2

Webpage 1


Registration form

These courses are for parents / legal guardians to register their own children. Other Educators and Educational Institutions are not allowed to register their students or offer our courses as part of their own programs.