Summer Camp: Project-Based Java for Beginners (Pre-AP Computer Science A)

Project-Based Java for Kids

In this course, students will learn to build simple Java based applications using programming classes, looping and functions. Each lesson has one small project which will be taught in 90 minutes. Students will be able to use the in-built Java modules for their own final projects.

Lesson 1 – Introduction: An introduction to what Java is and what makes it a valuable skill to learn. We also go over  basic data types and classes.
Project 1 – Calculating percentages and Discounts
Utilize the introductory features of Java learned in the first lesson to create a small program that will calculate discount percentages.  

Lesson 2 – Classes and Objects: Second lesson we will focus on creating objects and gain a deeper understanding of what a class is. We will also look at the String data type. 
Project 2 – Getting Input from the user
We will import the Scanner class and use Scanners built in methods to get data from users and output users data. 

Lesson 3 – Continuing with Classes: Students will now have a better understanding of classes and we can make use of Javas Dialog Boxes.
Project 3 – Input Dialog example and  Expanding on our Calculating percentage and Discounts projects 
Students should now use our pre existing project and implement a dialog box where they see fit.

Lesson 4 – Control Flow: We will now cover Javas control flow, If, if else, logical operators, scope. 
Project 4 – Average Score project: Students will now create a small program to calculate average test score using our Dialog boxes that we have learned and our control flow. 

Lesson 5 – Looping (for, while): Looping is very important and it's the first time students need to know what's going on under the hood to get a better idea of what's really going on. 
Project 5 – Program to determine how many Soccer players a youth league can have based on number of number of players available
Students will create this small program incorporating everything we have learned so far and are introduced to the mod operator. 

Lesson 6 – Methods/functions: A method/function can be defined by the programmer and can perform an action to manipulate our data.
Project 6 – Coin Toss program: Students will create a Coin Toss program that simulates the tossing of a coin. When we call the method it will generate a random number between 0 and 1. We will also keep a counter of both heads and tails. 

Lesson 7 – Classes with Constructors: Up to this point we have created classes and have an idea of what they do, now lets introduce constructors and Inheritance.
Project 7 – Car class using constructors: Students will create a car class using constructors and create two methods, accelerate and brake which will update the current speed of the car. 

Lesson 8 – Inheritance and Arrays data structure: We are in an era of Object Oriented programming and Inheritance plays a huge role in that. We will also take a look at our first data structure, Arrays.
Project 8 – Assigning a grade Class/ Array practice
Students create a class that determines a students grade based on teachers input, and we will use this base class as our reference. Once completed, we will open a new repl and discuss Arrays and look at a few Array methods and examples. 

Lesson 9 – Review
All taught subjects are reviewed and practiced to guarantee students are knowledgeable and capable enough to create their own projects from scratch.

Lesson 10 – Final Project
The students will create their own program from what they have learned throughout the class. Upon completion the projects are demonstrated by their creators.