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Since 1999, computer camps such as iDTech Camps, CyberCamps, and Computer Explorers have used Stagecast Creator to introduce 7-10 year olds to programming and game design. Other organizations have used the software for introducing information technology to under served middle school students. Below are some resources available for using Stagecast Creator to teach youth how to make their own games.
An educational researcher developed an engaging set of lesson plans and projects for an after school computer club in the UK. View the gamelearning.net resources.
Education, Training, and Research Associates (ETR) developed game development curricula, complete with lesson plans and handouts, for Stagecast Creator as part of the Girl Game Company, an after school and summer program for Latina girls in middle school.
The project was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation to ETR, a non-profit organization focused on health promotion and education. The funding was focused on providing information technology experiences for students and teachers (ITEST).
View all of ETR's free resources for teaching youth to program computer games in the Teacher's Lounge in the virtual world of Whyville. Or just these Stagecast Creator-specific resources:
SRI International and Girls Incorporated of Alameda County (Girls Inc.) incorporated Stagecast Creator into Build IT, an after school and summer curriculum for under served middle school girls to develop information technology (IT) fluency, interest in mathematics, and knowledge of IT careers.
They found Stagecast Creator to be an easy tool for the girls to use and for learning IT skills such as object-oriented programming, collaboration, and leadership in teams. Build IT was supported by funds from the National Science Foundation, in The Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program.
View this video profile on Build IT produced by WGBH (PBS Boston).
...Scratch vs. Stagecast. I do like both programs in addition to
GameMaker, and do teach all three. Stagecast is really my favorite
beginning game programming software because of the excellent
tutorials (which makes it great for students needing an independent
project during the school year), the beginning understanding of
variables, containers, "put" commands, and if...then statements.
Students make their drawings come to life and really have to problem
solve in order to get their game to do what they want. The other
programs are good starting at around 5th grade, but I really like to
start game programming younger, and Stagecast is something 2nd and
3rd graders can do!
-- Marianna Husain, Instructional Technology Partner, Austin, Texas
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