Virtual STEM Master Class: Introduction to Scratch™ Game Design | Session 1, July 26-30 | Virtual

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  • Screenshot of a digital game with marine animals

Virtual STEM Master Class: Introduction to Scratch™ Game Design | Session 1, July 26-30 | Virtual

The Smithsonian Science Education Center is welcoming your game designer to a multi-day Virtual STEM Master Class in Game Design! Students in Grades 6-8 have the chance to learn how to design their very own game! They will learn what goes into the systems and design of a digital game while engaging with a scientific phenomenon centering on recreating a food chain.

The virtual class will run Monday 7/26 (1pm-2pm ET), Wednesday 7/28 (1pm-3pm ET), and Friday 7/30 (1pm-2pm ET). Please see the schedule outlined below for more details.

On the Friday prior to the class beginning, students will receive pre-course materials to familiarize themselves with the basics of the game engine, Scratch™.

Class Schedule

Monday, July 26, 1-2pm ET: Students will attend the virtual class: “Introduction to Scratch™ Game Design” and will start building their games.

Wednesday, July 28, 1-3pm ET (No Class; Office Hours only): Instructor Reuben will be online from 1-3pm ET to hold Office Hours for any student who needs help or has questions about their project or the Scratch™ engine.

Friday, July 30, 1-2pm ET: Virtual Presentation Day. Each student will present their final product to the class.

Registration Details

This course is FREE and is limited to 15 middle school students. Registration is first-come, first-served, and you must complete the entire registration process to be enrolled. Any/all questions or concerns should be directed to ScienceEducation@si.edu.

**Registration will close on Thursday, July 22 at 12pm (Noon) ET - or when the class is full**

No coding experience is necessary for this course. All your student needs is internet access, a computer that can download files, and a webcam that will be on for the duration of the course.

About the Instructor

Reuben Brenner-Adams is an Interactive Developer at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, focusing on creating games and other interactive digital media for use in the unit’s science curriculum and beyond. Reuben joined the SSEC as a full-time employee in 2018, but was part of the development of Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game, a Webby-nominated digital strategy game, as a Digital Media Intern at the SSEC in 2016. Before joining the organization, Reuben worked at Dig-It! Games as a developer of educational and commercial games. Reuben is a voting member of both the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, a member of the Federal Games Guild, and a member of the Washington, DC chapter of the International Game Developers Association. He earned a combined BS/MS degree in Game Design & Development from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

This program was developed with support from Johnson & Johnson. 

Johnson & Johnson, through its Family of Companies, is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly based health care company, with products and services for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical device markets. J&J has been named by Fortune as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies.