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NC CS Discoveries 2

This course walks students through basic Python concepts within the context of game design. Students will also explore other topics such as history of gaming, genres, game styles, and gamification str

Semester course · 32 lessons · 3 units

  • Python
  • Voyage
  • Semester
  • 6th grade
  • 7th grade
  • 8th grade
  • 9th grade
  • 10th grade
  • 11th grade
  • 12th grade
  • North Carolina course

Course Summary

This course includes coding exercises and practice on the Skill Struck platform as well as collaborative classroom activities, discussion points, supplemental material, and unplugged activities. Students learn the basics of Python and implement the concepts they learn by creating drawings, animations, and computer games. Students complete projects to demonstrate their game design and Python skills.

Course Outline

    1. Intro to Python in Game Design
    2. Variables in Game Design
    3. Inputs & Outputs in Game Design
    4. Variable Types in Game Design
    5. Pygame Basics Learn how to initialize a Pygame environment!
    6. Comments & Documenting Code
    7. The Main While Loop/Background Color Learn how to use Pygame to draw shapes that you would use in your games!
    8. Draw a Circle/Functions Learn more about how to draw a circle in Pygame!
    9. Draw a Rectangle Learn how to draw a rectangle in Pygame!
    10. Draw a Triangle Learn how to draw a triangle in Pygame!
    11. Draw a Straight Line Learn to draw a straight line in Pygame!
    12. Draw an Arc Learn how to draw an arc in Pygame!
    13. Draw a Smiley Face Practice drawing all the shapes you've learned so far in Pygame!

    1. Types of Computer Games Learn the basic types and categories of video games and discover examples of each.
    2. Algorithms Discuss what an algorithm is and how they are used in creating video games.
    3. Random in Game Design. Learn how to use random in generating games.
    4. Strings with Game Design
    5. Text on the Screen Learn how to add words to your screen!
    6. Concatenation with Game Design
    7. Math in Game Design
    8. Timer Counting Up Learn how to create a timer for your games!
    9. Timer Counting Down Learn how to add a countdown timer in Pygame!

    1. Animate Drawings Learn how to animate your drawings on Pygame.
    2. If Statements in Game Design
    3. Bounce Your Drawings Learn how to bounce your drawings off the walls
    4. Move Drawing with Keyboard Learn how to move your drawing around the page with your keyboard.
    5. Move a Drawing with Mouse Learn how to move drawings around the screen with the mouse!
    6. Clicking the Mouse Event Learn how to have the game respond to a mouse click.
    7. Ping Pong Game Learn how to create the ping pong game using Pygame!
    8. Ping Pong Game Part 2 Finish creating the ping pong game!
    9. Ping Pong Game Improvements Learn how to make your Ping Pong game even better.
    10. Snake Game Learn how the game of snake works with Pygame.

Standard Alignment

CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards

  • 2-AP-11
  • 2-AP-12
  • 2-AP-13
  • 2-AP-14
  • 2-AP-15
  • 2-AP-16
  • 2-AP-17
  • 2-AP-18
  • 2-AP-19
  • 2-CS-03
  • 2-DA-07
  • 2-DA-08
  • 2-IC-20
  • 2-IC-22
  • 2-NI-05
  • 2-NI-06
  • 3A-AP-13
  • 3A-AP-15
  • 3A-AP-16
  • 3A-AP-17
  • 3A-AP-18
  • 3A-AP-19
  • 3A-AP-22
  • 3A-AP-23
  • 3A-CS-03
  • 3A-DA-11
  • 3A-DA-12
  • 3A-IC-27
  • 3A-IC-29
  • 3A-NI-06
  • 3A-NI-07
  • 3A-NI-08
  • 3B-AP-10
  • 3B-AP-11
  • 3B-AP-12
  • 3B-AP-13
  • 3B-AP-14
  • 3B-AP-16
  • 3B-AP-18
  • 3B-AP-19
  • 3B-AP-21
  • 3B-AP-22
  • 3B-IC-27
  • 3B-NI-04

State standards documents

Document Standards Grades
National
2022 Skill Struck Standards Alignment + Correlation Guide CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Alabama
Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Arizona
Arizona Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Arizona Computer Science Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Arkansas
Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards High School Programming + Skill Struck Alignment Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards High School Programming · 2023 9-12
Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards Middle School Introduction to Coding Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards Middle School Introduction to Coding Standards · 2023 6-8
California
California K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment California K-12 CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Georgia
Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-8 Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-8 Computer Science K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Idaho
Idaho Content Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Idaho Content Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Illinois
Illinois Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Illinois Computer Science Standards · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Indiana
Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Iowa
Iowa Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Iowa Computer Science Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Kansas
Kansas CS Standards P-12 + Skill Struck Alignment Kansas CS Standards P-12 · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Kentucky
Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Maryland
Maryland K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Maryland K-12 CS Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Michigan
Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Mississippi
Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science · 2022 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Missouri
Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nebraska
Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada
Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Nevada Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Nevada Computer Science Standards 9-12
New Jersey
New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards + Skill Struck Alignment New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards · 2020 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
New York
New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 + Skill Struck Alignment New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
North Carolina
North Carolina K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment North Carolina K-12 CS Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Ohio
Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Rhode Island
Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
South Carolina
South Carolina Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards + Skill Struck Alignment South Carolina Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8
South Carolina's Computer Science Standards for High School + Skill Struck Alignment South Carolina's Computer Science Standards for High School · 2023 9-12
Tennessee
Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Texas
TEKs Skills for CTE + Skill Struck Alignment TEKs Skills for CTE 9-12
TEKs Technology Applications K-8 Standards + Skill Struck Alignment TEKs Technology Applications K-8 Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Utah
Utah 6-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Utah 6-12 CS Standards · 2019 6-8, 9-12
Virginia
Virginia K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Virginia K-12 CS Standards · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Washington
Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science · 2023 K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Wyoming
Wyoming Computer Science Content Standards + Skill Struck Alignment Wyoming Computer Science Content Standards · 2020 K-2, 3-5, 6-8

Course Project

In this course students will complete challenges that help solidify concepts as they use skills in a variety of ways. In order to complete tasks, students will creatively apply what they've learned by using different approaches to reach a goal. This experience closely follows challenges they would face in a technical interview, allowing them to practice. Some examples of projects: Get Through the Gate, Ping Pong, Snake, Draw an Animal, Solar System