Creative Computing & Design

This course introduces students to the principles of and skills required to develop unique experiences and applications utilizing Augmented (AR), Virtual (VR), and Mixed Realities (MR) across a variety of use case scenarios. Participants will have access to state-of-the-art AR/VR technologies such as 360 degree video cameras, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest, Oculus Go, Windows VR, and Samsung Odyssey. Being able to develop VR and AR experiences gives each student cutting edge knowledge in an industry in need of talented staff. The average starting salary for a developer in this field is $75,000 a year. Learning in this field allows students to build technical literacy and express creativity in an immersive engaging computer aided design field.

(.5 credit)

• Open to all 10-12th graders who have completed a prior computer science course, open to 9th graders with a teacher’s recommendation

This is an introductory course to video game programming, design, and video game art. Students will learn the principles and practice of modeling, applying textures and materials to those models, and rendering them with appropriate lighting. Additionally, students will be introduced to the game design theory behind designing an enjoyable, balanced game. At the end of the course students will have the opportunity to apply the skills they learned to build their own game.

Open to all students that have completed Introduction to Game Design

Building on the skills learned in Introduction to Game Design, students will design, develop, and program games in Unity. Students will continue to refine their skills in modeling, game theory, and working with the Unity interface. At the end of the course students will have the opportunity to apply the skills they learned to build their own 3D games.

Open to all 9-12th graders

This class is equally applicable to those who are interested in understanding AR & VR technologies as well as those who want to use these as tools for solving real-world challenges. Students are introduced to a variety of applications and experiences employing project-based learning techniques which will be used to develop solutions in such areas as societal, industry, academic and community challenges. Working individually and as teams, participants will employ principles of Design Thinking, Project Management, Engineering and the Arts to create new and innovative solutions covering a variety of real-world topics. Projects may include work with industry partners and commercial mentors.