Game Creators Lab. Game Design & Coding Studio for Teens 13 – 18 years old

Game Creators Lab™ In-Class program for teens 13 – 18 years old

In-Class Program for Teens (Ages 12–18). | Duration: 10 Months (40 Weeks)
Format: In-Class | 1 lesson per week | 60 minutes per class

Focus: Building games through coding

Program Overview

Game Creators Lab™ is an immersive, year-long in-class program where teens ages 12–18 learn how to design, build, and launch real video games while developing strong coding, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills. Through guided instruction, project-based learning, and weekly hands-on practice — both in class and at home — students explore programming fundamentals, game mechanics, level design, AI behaviors, storytelling, and user experience design.

By the end of the program, teens will have a portfolio of playable games, understand industry best practices, and gain confidence with real coding tools and platforms.

Program Purpose

This program’s purpose is to empower teens to become confident game creators by teaching them to think like developers and designers. Students learn practical coding, software logic, narrative design, and game production techniques that apply to real-world tech and creative fields.

Ideal For

Game Creators Lab™ is ideal for:
◍ Teens ages 12–18 with an interest in game design, coding, or creative technology
◍ Students who want to turn ideas into playable games
◍ Teens preparing for advanced STEM, computer science, or game development pathways
◍ Any student — beginner to intermediate — who enjoys creating and learning hands-on

Learning Focus

Students in this program focus on:
◍ Problem-solving through code
◍ Game logic and mechanics
◍ Level design fundamentals
◍ Player interaction & UI
◍ Basic AI and adaptive behaviors
◍ Storytelling and engaging gameplay
◍ Testing, iteration, and debugging
◍ Game production workflows

What Students Create

Throughout the year, students will build:
◍ Playable mini-games
◍ Interactive storytelling games
◍ Games with scoring & user controls
◍ Games with smart (AI) behaviors
◍ Multi-level game experiences
◍ Final capstone game project
◍ A polished game portfolio to share, present, and build on

Program Structure

  In-Class: 1 hour weekly — interactive learning, demos, guided coding
  Home Assessment: 1–2 hours weekly — projects, challenges, practice
◍  Weekly structure:

◍ Review & Feedback (10 min)
◍ New Concept + Demo (15–20 min)
◍ Hands-On Game Coding/Design (20–25 min)
◍ Weekly Challenge Assignment (5–10 min)

Program Outcomes

By the end of Game Creators Lab™, students will:

◍ Build and launch fully playable games
◍ Understand core coding logic and game mechanics
◍ Apply visual design, UX, and AI behaviors
◍ Use industry-related concepts and tools
◍ Create a strong game portfolio
◍ Present games with confidence
◍ Prepare for advanced STEM, game design, or tech pathways

Home Assessment Expectations

Students are expected to spend 1–2 hours per week at home completing:

◍ Assigned build tasks
◍ Code refinement
◍ Portfolio uploads
◍ Playtesting revisions
◍ Written reflections or mini reports

Next level of literacy!

Learning Objectives

By completing the Game Creators Lab program, students will be able to:

◍ Apply computational thinking principles by breaking complex problems into manageable components and developing step-by-step logical solutions.
◍ Design and implement interactive digital games using age-appropriate programming and game development platforms such as Scratch, HTML5-based editors (Construct 3), and similar tools.
◍ Develop and use algorithms incorporating sequencing, conditional logic, loops, and event-driven behavior to control game mechanics and user interactions.
◍ Demonstrate problem-solving and debugging skills by identifying errors, testing solutions, and refining digital projects through iterative improvement.
◍ Translate creative ideas into functional digital products by planning, designing, and building playable games and interactive simulations.
◍ Use digital design tools to create visual assets, interfaces, and project documentation that support usability and user experience.
◍ Collaborate effectively in a structured learning environment, contributing to team-based projects and communicating technical ideas clearly.
◍ Explain and justify design decisions by describing how their game logic, rules, and systems operate.
◍ Apply ethical and responsible technology practices, including fair gameplay design and age-appropriate digital behavior.
◍ Build a foundational skill set for future STEM education, preparing students for advanced studies in computer science, software development, artificial intelligence, and related fields.

Why Do Teens Need to Learn Coding and Game Creation?

Coding, also known as computer programming, is the foundation of modern technology and digital systems. At its core, coding teaches students how to create clear, logical instructions that enable computers and digital tools to perform meaningful tasks. Just as precise directions are required to move from one point to another, effective coding depends on structured thinking, accuracy, and problem-solving—skills that are essential across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Start time:

Game Design & Coding Program start two times per school year. In September and March.

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The number of students:

6 – 10 students per class.

1:6 ratio

1:6 ratio Teacher to Student ratio, or better. All instructors are police-checked, triple-reference checked, and highly trained.

Certificate of Course Completion

We provide Certificates of completion for students that complete our 40 lessons courses. 

Upon completion of a Coding and Game Creation course, a Certificate will be issued. A course completion certificate says you have attended all the classes required, pass all the tests required, and handed in all the work required.

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The curriculum emphasizes hands-on project development, with students completing measurable digital outputs on a regular basis. These projects require planning, testing, debugging, and iterative improvement—skills directly aligned with STEM education standards and future workforce needs in technology, software development, and digital innovation.

By engaging students in structured problem-solving and logical reasoning at an early age, Game Creators Lab contributes to the development of critical thinking, creativity, and technological readiness, supporting long-term educational and economic objectives relevant to the national interest of Canada and the United States.

Curriculum

Month 1 – Welcome to Game Creation

Week Weekly Focus In-Class Activities Skills Gained
1 What Is Game Design? Program intro, explore popular games Curiosity, game awareness
2 Game Genres & Play Styles Discuss types of games Genre literacy
3 Introduce Game Engines Explore platforms (e.g., Scratch, Unity) Tool introduction
4 First Mini Playable Game Build simplest interactive game Confidence, basics

Month 2 – Fundamentals of Coding

Week Weekly Focus In-Class Activities Skills Gained
5 Variables & Data Introduce variables Logic, data handling
6 Sequences Code action sequences Order & predictability
7 Loops & Repeat Actions Loop patterns Efficiency thinking
8 Conditional Logic If/else game events Decision logic

Month 3 – Player Interaction

Week Weekly Focus In-Class Activities Skills Gained
9 Controls & Inputs Player input setup Interactivity
10 Collision & Responses Detect object collisions Reaction logic
11 Scoring Systems Add scoring & rewards Feedback systems
12 Player UI Simple user interface UX basics

Month 4 – Game Mechanics & Design

Week Weekly Focus In-Class Activities Skills Gained
13 Level Goals Define player goals Goal structuring
14 Game Start & End Conditions Win/lose logic Game flow
15 Timer & Challenges Add time-bound gameplay Pacing
16 Health & Resources Lives, power-ups Resource logic

Month 5 – Game Art & Asset Use

Week Weekly Focus In-Class Activities Skills Gained
17 Import Graphics Add sprites & art Asset integration
18 Animation Basics Simple sprite animation Visual dynamism
19 Sound & Music Add sound effects Audio feedback
20 Visual Polish Improve aesthetics Art awareness

Month 6 – Level Design Principles

Week Weekly Focus In-Class Activities Skills Gained
21 Layout & Map Design Level sketches Spatial logic
22 Difficulty Curves Adjust challenge levels Player optimization
23 Secrets & Rewards Hidden items Engagement design
24 Level Build Project Create complex level Design integration

Month 7 – Introduction to AI & NPC Behavior

Week Weekly Focus In-Class Activities Skills Gained
25 What Is AI in Games? Explore AI behaviors Concept awareness
26 Pattern Movement Simple pattern AI Pattern logic
27 Decision Trees NPC decision behavior Predictive logic
28 Reaction AI Enemy response systems Adaptive coding

Month 8 – Advanced Features & UX

Week Weekly Focus In-Class Activities Skills Gained
29 Player Feedback Systems Visual & audio cues UX feedback
30 Saving & Checkpoints Basic game saving logic Progress systems
31 Menus & Settings Create UI screens Professional UX
32 Game Optimization Code cleanup/user flow Quality improvement

Month 9 – Collaboration & Playtesting

Week Weekly Focus In-Class Activities Skills Gained
33 Playtesting Methods Test peers’ games Evaluation skills
34 Feedback Collection Structured group feedback Collaboration
35 Refining Mechanics Improve based on playtests Iteration
36 Peer Showcase 1 Midterm presentation Confidence, communication

Month 10 – Capstone Game Planning

Week Weekly Focus In-Class Activities Skills Gained
37 Capstone Concept
Integrate AI & UX
Choose game theme
Add NPC/menus
Strategic planning
Depth building
38 Story & Setting
Add Levels & Features
Narrative game design
Expand game-play
Storytelling
Growth mindset
39 Asset & Tech Plan
Portfolio Assembly
Game asset list
Save portfolio assets
Project prep
Organization
40 Capstone Roadmap
Final Showcase
Build timeline
Present to peers & parents
Organization
Confidence & achievement

Project Portfolio Parents Receive

By the end of the program, each student has:

◍ 3–5 Scratch projects
◍ 2–3 HTML5 games (Construct 3)
◍ 1 design portfolio (Canva)
◍ 1 major capstone project

Shareable links + certificates

Educational & Cognitive Benefits

◍ Improves math & logic skills
◍ Builds early software engineering mindset
◍ Strengthens planning and communication
◍ Prepares students for AI, robotics, and coding pathways

Why Parents Love This Program

◍ Real projects every 1–2 lessons
◍ Playable games they can test at home
◍ Visible progress & portfolio
◍ Safe, age-appropriate software
◍ Future-ready skills without pressure

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After completing the registration form, you will receive an invoice from school

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Tuition

Option 1.
$59.00 per week. $236 per Month
Total $2360 for 10 Month course. 

(Pay in one payment and save $150)

Option 2.
$59.00 per week. $236 per Month
Total $2360 for 10 Month course.
(Pay in two equal payment and save $100)

Option 3.
Individual lesson
$79.00 per week. $316 per Month
Total $3160 for 10 Month course.
(Pay in two equal payment and save $100)

Space is still available 6-7 spots left

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