Prerequisite: Students need to be comfortable and familiar with typing.
This camp teaches students Java programming in a fun, understandable, step-by-step way. We'll use the Java-based Processing® language to construct interactive graphics, animations, and games. Students write code to produce graphics from the very first lesson, so they receive immediate visual feedback from the get-go. We'll work through projects that cover the most important fundamentals of coding such as variables, functions, loops, conditionals, arrays, and basic object-oriented programming (OOP), including linked lists and inheritance. By week's end, students have applied their knowledge to write code to make two graphical games - a space game and an arcade-style survival/endurance game.
We also take an important next step – using our coding skills to control robots and electronic components. Students will use Processing to control the Wink2 robot, learning how to activate motors and sensors so the bot can move, avoid obstacles, put on a light show, and more! We'll also build digital devices with the popular circuit board Arduino®, and program actions using Processing. Through these projects, students learn how to control electronics through code.
Processing is used at high schools and universities to teach the fundamentals of programming. Processing is built on Java, has almost the identical language syntax, but adds custom features related to graphics and interactivity. This makes Processing unique (and awesome) in that it allows users the chance to create games, art, and animations relatively quickly with code. And, learning Java through Processing is a terrific foundation to learn additional programming languages.
No prior programming experience is required for the camp, but comfort and familiarity with typing is suggested. Each student will have a laptop to use, and will bring home their project files to be played on a computer using any major operating system.
- Note: This class is for ages 12-15; however, students who are 11 years old and have some programming experience can enroll. Parents feel free to call us at (650) 638-0500.