Game Development Foundations (GDF) leverages the excitement of creating games to teach computer science, mathematics, and problem-solving.
Game Development Foundations (GDF) leverages the excitement of creating games to teach computer science, mathematics, and problem-solving. Students use custom JavaScript engines and the PixilArt editor to build games while learning computational thinking, 2D graphic design, and game development principles.
Grade Band: Grades 6-8
Format: Year-long (60 hrs)
Prerequisites: None
Video-Based Lessons
Self-Grading Quizzes
STEAM Connections
Project Portfolio
JavaScript
UI Design
Pixel Art
Level Design
Algebra
2D Animation
Narrative Storytelling
STEAM connections embedded in this course reinforce relevant science and math concepts to provide a well-rounded educational experience.
Contact UsThrough a combination of follow-along projects and self-directed activities, students build a unique coding project portfolio demonstrating the skills and knowledge they acquire.
In this project, students build out a word-guessing game where a random word is chosen and the player is given the opportunity to guess letters.
A browser-based text adventure game to learn how to build and incorporate a unique game narrative using JavaScript.
RAM: 4GB or more
CPU: Pentium 5 or later
Google Chrome
13" or bigger display
Full keyboard
Three-button mouse with scroll wheel
Headphone jack and headphones
Chromebook: Chrome OS 100.0 or later
Windows: 7, 8, 8.1, 10 or later
Mac: OS X El Capitan 10.11 or later
Linux: 64-bit Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 10+, openSUSE 15.2+, or Fedora Linux 32+
Our fun, project-based middle school courses balance coding and computer science education with STEAM topics, helping students with no coding experience create their own portfolios and preparing them for further study in computer-related fields.
