This session there will be a focus on game development, with students being able to take home numerous different games coded from scratch by the session's end. Why are we teaching through game development? Most of the core skills needed by a programmer, such as graphic design, control flow, user interaction, etc., can be obtained by experimenting with games. However, not only do we aim to help attendees learn the technical skills needed to produce an engaging program, but we also hope to help students develop the core critical thinking skills they will need to put their own ideas into action.

• Block code instruction using the Scratch platform
• Development of numerous games that can be taken home (including classics like Flappy Bird!)
• Introduction of control flow (loops, functions, conditionals, variables, etc.)

• The Essex IQ Spring Session is a two week programming seminar that will be taking place from 04/05/2021 - 04/18/2021
• All meetings will take place over Zoom call in observance of social distancing guidelines
• Meetings will be 1.5 hours from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and conducted on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays for a total of 6 sessions, 9 hours cumulatively
• Just sign up and attend -- no other barriers to entry!