The VISST Coding Club is for elementary school students in grades 5-8 who have some basic coding experience. Using PuzzleScript+, students will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with coding and game design. Students decide what tools and effects they want to learn about and have lots of time to practice what they learned with one-on-one guidance from their instructor to create fun and interactive video games.
Course Outline and Topics
Students will have the opportunity to help shape the outline and curriculum of the class. In each class, they will inform what topics, features and mechanics they would like to work on.
Mechanics featured in PuzzleScript+, and taught in the camp, include mouse-directed controls, level select, camera zooms, larger sprite options, and much more. In each two hour class, Instructor led, curated, mini lessons allow students to apply each mechanic in a creative, yet diverse way, with lots of time for students to customize and expand their own projects.
Program Requirements
Students should have some basic experience with Puzzlescript or similar software.
Each student must bring a laptop capable of running PuzzleScript. Please note: Puzzlescript is not compatible with tablets, but Chromebooks should work.
When?
Every Saturday January 18 - May 31, 2025 (15 sessions); 12:30-2:00pm. Class meeting dates: Jan 18, 25, Feb 1, 8, 22, Mar 1, 8, 29, Apr 5, 12, 26, May 3, 10, 24, 31.
Students can join anytime and the fee will be pro-rated. Email us at camps@visst.ca.
Who?
This workshop is for students in Grade 5-8.
Cost
The fee is $600 (including tax).
If the fee is a barrier to your participation, a limited number of bursaries are available for eligible families - please email camps@visst.ca to inquire.
Where?
The Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology (VISST): 1490 West Broadway, Vancouver.
Why PuzzleScript?
PuzzleScript is a special-purpose programming languages for making puzzle games. What we discovered is that it’s also a perfect tool for education. Because PuzzleScript is so visual, it’s super easy to hit the ground running and start channeling your creative impulses right away. In fact, you will be able to create your own simple puzzle game after just one day of this camp!
In the process of learning PuzzleScript we’ll encounter fundamental and challenging questions in programming and algorithmic thinking, with a lot to offer for new and experienced programmers alike.
Here is what a PuzzleScript game looks like:
Camp Instructor
Thanh Nguyen
Thanh is a multimedia artist with over a decade of experience teaching creative technology and digital fabrication in the Metro Vancouver region.
Since graduating from the Art Institute of Vancouver with a degree in Game Art and Design, she has been teaching game design and programming, 3D modeling and animation. She has been developing specialized curriculums and teaching creative technology courses, workshops and camps with Byte Camp and MakerLabs, and is currently the Design and Technology Specialist with VISST.
Thanh is always looking for ways to provide accessible avenues of learning to students keen on learning about the digital arts.
Additional Notes
Refund policy: To request a refund, email camps@visst.ca. We will refund you for all remaining classes occurring at least 2 weeks after the date of the refund request.
Cancellation policy: VISST reserves the right to cancel camps and refund camp fees due to low enrolment. In this event, we will provide as much advance notice as possible.
Questions?
Please email camps@visst.ca
Testimonials
“I liked that I learned a lot about coding and how it works. Before the course I felt like I didn't know much about coding and how to code. Now that the right instructors have taught me and helped me learn I know a lot more about coding and how to code.”
—- Participant, Puzzle Programming, Age 13
”I loved it! It’s really fun and I love making the little games, it’s just satisfying to see the games coming out of my own hands!”
—- Participant, Puzzle Programming, Age 13
”I liked how the teachers taught us how to code and then let us create fun games ourselves. It was really fun.”
—- Participant, Puzzle Programming, Age 12
Past Student Work
Check out the PuzzleScript games made by past camp participants at our Student Work page.