Coding & AI Intermediate Club- Learn and Code a New Scratch Project Each Week!
Ages 8-13
Live Group Class
Ready to level up your coding skills and dive into artificial intelligence? In this fun lab, you'll build intermediate games like platformers, AI, and cool animations on Scratch! Perfect for Scratch fans ready for the next challenge!
💵 Save $12 on your first class. Use coupon code: DOCTONEWFAMILY12
💥 Welcome to the Intermediate AI & Scratch Coders Club!
Get ready to level up your coding skills while learning about artificial intelligence!
In this exciting weekly class, students will explore the world of artificial intelligence and game development by designing and programming interactive projects using Scratch—all in a fun, hands-on environment.
👨🚀 Engaging & Educational
This weekly club introduces kids to artificial intelligence and computer programming in a way that's both educational and fun. Students will learn how to communicate with computers, solve problems, and bring their creative ideas to life through code.
🌟 What to Expect:
- Interactive Learning: Students explore coding through engaging activities and hands-on projects that make complex concepts easy to grasp.
-Creative Expression: Using Scratch (developed by MIT for young learners), students will create their own games, animations, and interactive stories.
-Critical Thinking: Through puzzles and coding challenges, kids will develop strong problem-solving and logical thinking skills.
-Teamwork & Collaboration: We encourage a supportive, collaborative environment where students share ideas, work on group projects, and learn from one another.
-Real-World Connections: Students will discover how coding is applied in real life.
Join us and unlock your child's coding potential in a fun, supportive setting! 💻
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👀 What will coders learn?
In this virtual hangout, we will code a new game each week. Each game will incorporate a different coding concept which will be explained in class. Different concepts include the list below. Most concepts will overlap.
📆 Week of September 1- Variables and lists
📆 Week of September 8- Data types and combining data types
📆 Week of September 15--Conditionals- all types
📆 Week of September 22- User input
🌟 Students MUST have a Scratch account before class begins.
Please visit https://scratch.mit.edu to open a free account before your first class.
Students will need to know how to remix projects. Please watch our easy video which you will receive once you join our class.
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🤓 What's your teaching style?
Learners and parents can expect a very dynamic style class with lots of activities that will engage young minds. In addition, I build cross curricular lessons in which kids will not only be learning coding, but they will also enhance their math, science, and reading skills.
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This will be fun! I can’t wait for you to join the club! 🌎
Our ongoing intermediate classes are designed to help students code exciting games, with some projects taking just one class to complete and others stretching over 3 or more weeks. If your child joins midway through a project, they can easily remix the current game to jump right in and continue coding.
Since each class is tailored to the needs of the students, the length of each project may vary depending on how many questions students ask or the support they need. Our goal is to provide a fun and personalized learning experience for every student!
📖 Program Goals~ After 16 weeks in this program, students understand the following coding concepts in depth:
🔁 Apply different types of loops, including repeat, forever, and nested loops.
➿ Understand that loops reduce the number of blocks needed to repeat actions.
🎮 Build interactive projects using event and motion code.
❓ Use "if" and sensing blocks to make smart, responsive code.
🔊 Incorporate sound blocks to add effects and music.
💻 Write original code by combining learned concepts creatively.
🛠️ Debug and improve code by identifying and fixing issues.
🤖 Explore introductory AI concepts through simple decision-making and sensing projects.
Important Notes 👇👀
-Coders will need two devices when taking this class. One device will be used for coding on Scratch, while the other device will be used to watch the teacher on Zoom (via the Outschool website). The coding device must have a keyboard. Using one device for this class will be very difficult and frustrating for your learner, so please make sure tht two devices are set up before class.
-This program is best suited for kids 8 years and older. Younger kids will need SIGNIFICANT adult assistance as the coders are required to manage technical issues that may arise during the class.
-Students must already have an account on Scratch before joining the first class.
🗒️ Note for Parents: We understand that life can get busy! While we can't offer refunds for missed classes, we do provide a recording of each lesson so your child can catch up at their convenience. If you know your child will miss a class in advance, you can pause or stop the subscription. In case of a last-minute situation, simply access the class recording and your child can watch it to make up for the missed lesson. We're here to make learning as flexible as possible! 😊
Learning Goals
Master Key Coding Concepts: Variables, Lists, and Data Types.
Develop Problem-Solving Skills with Conditional Logic.
Other Details
Learning Needs
If your child needs any accommodations in order to be successful in class, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure that your child learns in the best environment possible.
Parental Guidance
✅ Learners will need to open at free account the Scratch coding platform before their first class by going to Scratch.mit.edu
✅ We strongly recommend that parents make sure that commenting in projects is turned off by going to each project and clicking the off button for comments found to the bottom right hand side of the project page.
🗒️ Parents: Unfortunately we cannot issue a refund for missed classes as the spot has been reserved for your child. However, the recording for the class is available for your child to watch. Please keep in mind that you can pause or stop the subscription if you anticipate that your child will be missing class. If it is a last minute situation, you will have access to the class recording and your child may watch it to make up for the missed lesson.
Pre-Requisites
📝 To be successful in our intermediate class, your child should be familiar with the following:
✅ Adding and deleting sprites, costumes, and backdrops
✅ Remixing and saving games, as well as adding code to individual sprites.
Supply List
Students may use two devices, or set up two windows side-by-side (if they are comfortable with this setup). If using two separate devices, one will be used to view the teacher on Outschool and the other device will be needed to code. The coding device must have a keyboard as most of the games we teach use a keyboard.
You can download the Scratch app prior to the first class at:
https://scratch.mit.edu/download
Alternatively, you can use the web-based Scratch version at Scratch.mit.edu
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Florida Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Lauren Smith
2 teachers have a Graduate degree
Master’s Degree in Education from Western Governor's University
Lauren Smith
Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Florida International University
David Rice
3 teachers have a Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Broward College
Lauren Smith
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello
Alejandrina Von der Heyde
Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Louisiana State University
Erin Ashby
New Families 💵 Save $15 on your first class! Use coupon code: DOCTOEXTRAFREECLASS15
☀️⛱️ Whether your child is a beginner, intermediate, or advanced coder, We have summer camps for them. We also have writing and reading workshops for K-6th grade! See you this summer!
Welcome to the Coding Doctors Learning Lab! Founded by Lauren Smith, M. Ed., a member of the Computer Science Teachers Association.
We are a fully online learning academy dedicated to the success of children of all ages, and all abilities, all around the world. We teach coding, reading, science, and more! With an incredible team that includes dedicated certified teachers and computer science experts, your learner could not be in better hands. We cannot wait to meet your student to help them embark in a new and exciting learning adventure!
📘 About Lauren Smith
Lauren Smith is a certified teacher in exceptional student education with a Masters in Instructional Design and specializations in reading, and English for speakers of other languages, as well as students with autism in grades K-12. She is also certified in education from birth through four years old and is a certified teacher of the gifted for grades K-12. Lauren teaches Scratch beginners, Scratch intermediate, reading, writing, and all elementary school subjects.
Having had the privilege of working with students across various age groups and cultural backgrounds, Lauren has taught coding, reading, and mathematics to elementary, middle, and high school children from around the world. Her enthusiasm for both general and special education settings is palpable, and she currently teaches 5th grade at a public school in Hollywood, FL in the United States of America.
Beyond the classroom, Lauren is a mother of three, ages nine, twelve, and sixteen. Her personal experience as a parent, especially to a child with special needs, fuels her passion for inclusive education. Lauren's teaching philosophy centers around the belief in a growth mindset, asserting that, with the right tools, children can master any concept and achieve expertise from a young age.
In her coding classes, Lauren seamlessly integrates math and coding concepts, empowering students to create their own video games and animations through computer code while organically learning mathematical principles. Her joy lies in witnessing her students' faces light up as they discover the possibilities of their newfound knowledge.
As an avid reader herself, Lauren endeavors to instill a love for reading in her students and her own children. Her favorite children's books, ranging from "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio to the "Percy Jackson Series" by Rick Riordan, reflect her diverse literary tastes. Parents often seek her recommendations for captivating reads for children of all ages.
As a bilingual teacher fluent in Spanish, her native language, Lauren enjoys connecting with people from different corners of the globe and delights in practicing basic greetings in various languages. With a dream to travel the world with her family, Lauren Smith continues to inspire, nurture, and celebrate the joy of learning in every student she encounters.
🤖 About David Rice -
Meet David Rice. He teaches all coding classes. From Scratch to website development, and Python. He is a dynamic coding teacher based in the sunny state of Florida in the United States of America. David holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and is currently pursuing his Master's degree. Passionate about sharing his knowledge, he has dedicated his career to educating the next generation of tech enthusiasts.
With a flair for simplifying complex concepts, David has found his niche teaching coding to middle and high school students. His innovative and engaging teaching methods not only make coding accessible but also foster creativity and critical thinking in his students. Beyond the classroom, David serves as a teacher assistant where he continues to inspire and support aspiring computer scientists. In the heart of the tech revolution, David is shaping the minds of tomorrow's innovators with enthusiasm and expertise.
🤖 About Mr. Davy Smith
Davy Smith is a dad of three, one boy and two girls who all love to code. He teaches coding on Scratch for beginner and intermediate learners. He lives in sunny ☀️ Miami, FL with his family. Davy holds a degree in Networks Systems Technologies. He codes on Scratch, HTML, and Python. He has also worked in the broadcasting industry in post production for over 20 years. Mr. Smith is excited to be a part of this amazing team of teachers whose goal is to create a learning environment where kids feel comfortable with making mistakes as they learn. Mr. Smith’s goal is to teach children coding in a fun and laid back environment.
🇪🇸 About Señor Rodriguez
Alberto Rodriguez, our Spanish teacher for teens, is a native of Venezuela who has lived in the United States for over 30 years. With more than 15 years of experience in the public school system, he is passionate about teaching practical Spanish that students can use in their daily lives. Señor Rodriguez emphasizes both conversational skills and the importance of mastering grammar, ensuring students learn to read and write Spanish correctly. Now retired, he enjoys living in sunny Florida with his wife.
🤖 About Mr. Chris Dominguez
Chris Dominguez is a skilled computer programmer and a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Florida International University (FIU). A Miami native, Chris loves cooking, swimming, and developing games in his spare time. He’s an avid reader, particularly of fantasy books involving magic, which sparks his creativity. Chris has been a valuable member of our team for over a year and continues to bring innovative ideas and enthusiasm to everything he does. With a passion for technology, Chris is quickly making a name for himself in the field.
🤖 About Ethan Klein
Ethan Klein is a dedicated computer science student at Georgia Tech with a strong passion for programming and technology. Outside of coding, Ethan enjoys playing and watching football, whether it’s on the field or cheering for his favorite team. He brings a fun, energetic teaching style to the classroom, helping students develop problem-solving skills while making learning an enjoyable experience. Ethan’s blend of technical expertise and love for sports makes him excited to help students grow their coding skills and reach their full potential.
🤖 About Natalia Antonetti - Scratch coding teacher.
[Bio pending]
🤖 About Amanda Antonetti - Scratch coding teacher.
[Bio pending]
📕 About Erin Ashby - Reading and writing teacher.
[Bio pending]
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📝 Need a grade report signed by one of our certified teachers? Please let us know if your child needs a grade report or certificate of completion for one of our courses. We will gladly provide one upon your request.
🗒️ Note for Parents: We understand that life can get busy! While we can't offer refunds for missed classes, we do provide a recording of each lesson so your child can catch up at their convenience. If you know your child will miss a class in advance, you can pause or stop the subscription. In case of a last-minute situation, simply access the class recording and your child can watch it to make up for the missed lesson. We're here to make learning as flexible as possible! 😊
Are you planning to use state funding, such as an Education Savings Account (ESA), Micro-grant or scholarship to help pay for your learner’s education?