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Scratch Coding: Lunar Lander Game! (3rd-8th Grade)

Pricing:

  • Testing Mom Members:
    ONLY $18.00 per class ($72.00 total for 4 classes)
  • Non-Members:
    ONLY $20.00 per class ($80.00 total for 4 classes)
  • Coding Academy Members:
    ONLY $79.00 for UNLIMITED classes Learn More

Class Details:

  • Ages: 8 - 14
  • 3rd Grade - 8th Grade

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Description

The Lunar Lander game in Scratch is a fun and interactive way for children and beginners to learn the basics of coding and programming, while also developing problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. It is a game where the player controls a lunar module and must land it safely on the surface of the moon while avoiding obstacles. The game also uses the physics engine of Scratch to simulate the gravitational force and the landing speed. Players have to control the velocity of the lunar module and the thrust to land it safely on the surface.

In the game, players use various programming concepts such as variables, conditionals, and loops to control the movement and behavior of the lunar module. They also learn how to use different blocks such as "if-then" statements to check for collisions and to control the game's logic. Additionally, the game uses the "event" block to handle the keyboard controls and the "broadcast" block to send messages between sprites.

 

Learning Objectives

In this course, students will gain a better understanding of the following concepts:

  • Scratch interface basics
  • Basic coding concepts
  • Drag-and-drop programming
  • Computational thinking
  • Computational fluency
  • Critical thinking
  • Design thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Effective communication

 

Below is a link for you to access the Scratch classroom.

Please sign up prior to class. To sign up you will click the link below and create a username and password. Please do not use any personal information in your username.  Also, don't forget to write your username and password down somewhere so you don't forget it.

https://scratch.mit.edu/join

 

Important Note: Our system will send you the link to join the class 30 minutes prior to the start time of the class.

 

The "Scratch" Logo is owned by Trademarks owned by the Scratch Team. And is not affiliated with Testing Mom. "Scratch and ScratchJr" are trademarks of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and are in no way affiliated with Testing Mom.

teacher

Neil C.

See all of Neil C.'s upcoming classes.

Instructor's Bio:

My specialty is that I can get the most out of my students using mainly positive reinforcement, since I started teaching, I have been primarily teaching an extracurricular activity, so the challenge was to motivate and discipline kids mainly by having a fun environment. I can turn boring projects into fun by just being silly and having fun with the students. E.g., I had to teach string manipulations the other day, which is boring, so I came up with a terrible rap about strings, the students loved it and we were all laughing and coming up with different ways to manipulate and change the raps. Another advantage I have when teaching is I am an avid gamer, so it's easy for me to relate material with the kids’ favorite games.

 

Educational Background, Degrees, Licenses:

  • Bachelors in Computer Information Systems
  • Specialty in web applications
  • Teaching coding for almost 2 years
  • C#, Python, HTML+CSS, C++, JavaScript

 

What I Tutor and Teach:

  • Scratch- I have over 300 projects, and taught pretty much everything, to age levels from elementary to middle school, including private lessons and small classes as well as camps
  • Python- I taught to all ages from elementary to high school, I also taught a series of camps to a private school
  • CSS-HTML I taught this to advanced elementary students, all the way to high schoolers
  • Robotics- I taught middle schoolers + advanced elementary students from beginner to advanced robotic classes using a micro bit

 

Fun Facts: 

  • I am an expert in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and have won at the highest level.

 

Favorite Quote: 

  • “I am always proud but never surprised” - I always say this when kids go above and beyond

Christina says:

My son was able to follow this class quite well and he just turned 7. He loves coding and got a lot out of it.

Hong L. says:

My son loved this course, and he learned how to use scratch to design a program.

Bryan says:

This class was a first-time coding class for my son. He loved it!

Bryan says:

Neil is very patient with younger kids. He tries to explain with easier language for kindergarteners. Thanks to this class, my son is advanced in his coding class at school.

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