About This Activity
Tuesday - Nov 17 | Dec 1, 8, 15 | Jan 5, 12, 19, 26 | Feb 2, 9 10 sessions x 90 minutes Code your own space missions—Asteroid Dodger, Black Hole Escape, Alien Invader—on Lando's Scratch-based iPad app. Every game starts partly built; students code the rest—fuel meters, alien waves, secret levels—with teachers guiding challenges so no one gets stuck or bored. Classes end with friends playtesting, and after every class families get a challenge report: what we taught, what your student built, and a link to play their game at home—Scratch code included. Example Classes this Session: * Asteroid Dodger: Steer through a field of tumbling asteroids that multiply the longer you fly—learning cloning and sensing. * Black Hole Escape: The closer your ship drifts, the stronger the pull—fire the thrusters at the right moment—learning variables and conditionals. * Alien Invader: Wave after wave of aliens, each faster than the last, with a score counter tracking every hit—learning loops and randomness. Class Structure: * Each class opens with a short group lesson, then six to ten self-paced challenges—beginners master fundamentals while experienced coders sprint to extensions. * Playtesting closes every class—trade iPads, rebuild from friends' feedback. Skills & Take-aways: * Core computer science: conditionals, variables, loops, cloning, and randomness. * Game design process: build a working version, playtest it, rebuild it better. * No coding experience needed, just basic reading. Students can take this class more than once—the games change every session. Awards and Accreditations: * Lando is a WASC-accredited program with awards including STEM.org Best in STEM, Academics' Choice, and Parents' Picks. * ESSA Tier IV certified through academic partnerships with Leanlab and Northwestern, affirming measurable learning outcomes. Safety and Communication: * Sign-in and sign-out texts let you know your coder is safe, and a local coordinator is reachable by text during class.
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