Scratch Programming Club - Learn to Code and Share Programs With Friends

Calling all coders and computer-lovers! Do you love playing video games? Are you interested in looking behind the scenes to learn how  some of your favourite games and apps work? Take the step from game consumer to program creator with Scratch online.

This club combines computational thinking and coding concepts with opportunities to socialize. Make friends while sharing your creative programs. You can choose to share your creations with the group. There will also be plenty of opportunity to screen share and ask questions during the class. 

***This class is perfect for Scratch coders with a little bit of experience. Experienced Scratch Programmers will enjoy the social part of the class and celebrate successes. Beginners to Scratch should consider my Step into Scratch or Scratch Starter Pack introductory classes to get started with Scratch.***

Class Format:
This class is learner-driven and discussion based. Each week will begin with introductions and conversation. We'll check in with one another and share ideas or ask questions. Each learner will have the opportunity to share a program they have created that they are proud of, a work in progress that they'd like help with, or an inspiring program from Scratch that they're curious about. As you learn more, you'll be able to share programs you've been working on and get feedback. We'll decide as a group on a project to create or take a closer look at an example project shared on Scratch. We may choose to get started creating a new program, or continue working on our own projects. You'll learn through screen sharing and verbal instruction. Due to the social aspect of this class, if you have a question or suggestion, you're welcome to speak up and share! We will troubleshoot, debug, and find the answers together. At the end of each class, we'll circle back to share our progress and creations.

Class Schedule:
The class topics are subject to change based on the interests and needs of the group. The conversation and creation part of the class will be consistent every week. 

Class topics are not consecutive. Each week, learners will have the opportunity to share a program hey have created, or look at a program they have found on the Scratch platform. This class is discussion-based and learner-directed. 

You never have to worry that we'll run out of programming ideas to learn about. If there's a lull in the conversation, we'll discuss possible topics listed below, however learners drive the conversation. Learners will be able to give input on the type of game or program created, or choose discussion and sharing.

- A deep dive into creating Sprites and Backgrounds. Animating and customizing your Sprites and Backgrounds. Make drawings by  animating your Sprite.

- Animations, sound, and conditionals. Learn to add sound to your animations. Use questions, answers, messages, and conditionals and make an interactive program.

- Using sensing operators to create a game. Choose a Pong Game, Chase Game, Clicker Game, or create something new!

- Using variables. Create variables to add scoring functionality to a game. You will determine what it takes to win!

- Create an adventure story using conditionals. Change your animation based on the inputs your user adds to the story. 

Depending on the needs of the group, we will revisit popular topics, take a deeper dive into new ideas, or create new programs. 


***Learners should have a Scratch account and know how to log in. It's also beneficial if learners know how to navigate between two tabs on their browsers.***