Before you begin…

CodeCombat’s Goals

Computer Science for Everyone

1 We want to build technical confidence in every student.

Text-based Coding
2 We provide authentic, industry-level coding experiences.

Game-based Learning
3 We strive to keep engagement high through the use of
play.

Culturally Relevant and Responsive

4 We want to increase access and sense of belonging in CS.
Today’s Big Idea

Creative Development (CRD):

When developing computing innovations, developers can use a formal,
iterative design process or experimentation. While using either approach,
developers will encounter phases of investigating and reflecting,
designing, prototyping, and testing. Additionally, collaboration is an
important tool to use at any phase of development because considering
multiple perspectives allows for improvement of innovations.
Today’s Computational Thinking
Practices
Computational Solution Design:
● 1.A: Investigate a situation, context, or task.
● 1.B: Determine and design an appropriate method or approach to achieve the purpose.
● 1.C: Explain how collaboration affects the development of a solution.
● 1.D Evaluate solution options.

Responsible Computing:
● 6.A: Collaborate in the development of solutions.
CodeCombat
Introduction to Computer Science

Getting Started
Introduction to
CodeCombat
Let’s Chat!

What kinds of things are

you interested in?

What do you want to learn

from your adventures in
CodeCombat?
Learn more about CodeCombat!
How CodeCombat Works

CODING CONCEPTS
1 Each QUEST will feature a new coding concept

GUIDED PLAY AND INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

2 CodeCombat games and practice levels reinforce learning

CHECK-IN & CONCEPT REVIEW

3 Check-in at the end of sessions to review what you learned

COMPLETE QUESTS
4 Complete a QUEST and see what treasures await!
Your Adventure 5
Awaits…
4

1
Let’s begin!
Our Story Begins in the Dungeon…
…where you will complete a series of quests to survive, work with your allies, and
escape! Along the way you will:

Learn the basic syntax needed to find your way through

dungeon mazes, collect gems, and avoid danger!

Unlock items to alter your hero’s properties to make them

survive longer, hit harder, and move faster!

Use while loops to repeat blocks of code!

Assign values to variables to keep track of your enemies!

Complete a CAPSTONE PROJECT where you will learn to

solve problems with the Engineering Design Process!
Quest #0
By the end of my quest, I
will be able to…

💎 Describe each step

of the Engineering
Design Process.
💎 Collaborate with
my peers in order to
effectively solve a
problem.
Engineering Design Process
The Engineering Design Process

Redesign your
Brainstorm solutions &
prototype based on
think outside the box!
your test results.

Test your prototype. Select 1-2 solution

See what works & ideas & develop a
doesn’t work. design.

Build a prototype
based on your solution
plan.
Our Engineering Design Process
Define
Identify the problem &

Improv Ideate
break it down.

Brainstorm solutions.

e
Redesign your
prototype based on Draw/describe/storyboar
your test results. d as many ideas as you
can!

Test Plan
Select an idea & break it
Develop a plan to test
your prototype. See into subgoals. Draw
what works & doesn’t
work.
Build layout of user interface.

Build a prototype
based on your solution
plan.
Warm-Up:
Match the term to its definition:

Terms: Definition:
1. Define A. Try the solution and see how well it
2. Ideate performs.
3. Plan B. Brainstorm potential solutions.
4. Build C. Fix and redesign your solution.
5. Test D. Describe the problem you are trying to
6. Improve solve.
E. Make your solution.
F. Pick one solution and describe the
steps you need to use in order to make
Warm-Up Solution:
Match the term to its definition:

Terms: Definition:
1. Define A. Try the solution and see how well it
2. Ideate performs.
3. Plan B. Brainstorm potential solutions.
4. Build C. Fix and redesign your solution.
5. Test D. Describe the problem you are trying
6. Improve to solve.
E. Make your solution.
F. Pick one solution and describe the
steps you need to use in order to
Let’s Practice!
Define
Identify the problem &

Improv Ideate
break it down.

Brainstorm solutions.

e
Redesign your
prototype based on Draw/describe/storyboar
your test results. d as many ideas as you
can!

Test Plan
Select an idea & break it
Develop a plan to test
your prototype. See into subgoals. Draw
what works & doesn’t
work.
Build layout of user interface.

Build a prototype
based on your solution
plan.
Engineering Design Challenge
Goal: Build the tallest tower using only paper and tape. Your
tower must stand on its own for at least 1 minute.
1. Define: What is the problem?
2. Ideate: What are some strategies you
could use to build the tower? What
should it look like? How will it stand on
its own?
3. Plan: How will you break up the
problem into smaller subgoals? How will
you manage time?
Engineering Design Challenge
Goal: Build the tallest tower using only paper and tape. Your
tower must stand on its own for at least 1 minute.
1. Define: What is the problem?
2. Ideate: What are some strategies you
could use to build the tower? What
should it look like? How will it stand on
its own?
3. Plan: How will you break up the
problem into smaller subgoals? How will
you manage time?
4. Build: Make your tower.
Engineering Design Challenge
Goal: Build the tallest tower using only paper and tape. Your
tower must stand on its own for at least 1 minute.
1. Define: What is the problem?
2. Ideate: What are some strategies you
could use to build the tower? What
should it look like? How will it stand on
its own?
3. Plan: How will you break up the
problem into smaller subgoals? How will
you manage time?
4. Build: Make your tower.
5. Test: See if it stands for at least a
minute.
Engineering Design Challenge
Goal: Build the tallest tower using only paper and tape. Your
tower must stand on its own for at least 1 minute.
1. Define: What is the problem?
2. Ideate: What are some strategies you
could use to build the tower? What
should it look like? How will it stand on
its own?
3. Plan: How will you break up the
problem into smaller subgoals? How will
you manage time?
4. Build: Make your tower.
5. Test: See if it stands for at least a
minute.
Building Project Takeaways

Failure is the vehicle to

success!

Problem solving is a
process, not an instant
result!
 Key Terms
● Engineering Design Process: one of many
processes that you can use to solve problems.
The steps are:
○ Define: Clearly describe the problem you
are trying to solve.
○ Ideate: Generate as many possible solutions
as you can. There are no bad ideas!
○ Plan: Select one solution to try and develop
the strategy you will follow when building
this solution.
○ Build: Make a first draft of your solution.
○ Test: Try your solution and collect feedback.
○ Improve: Review the feedback and revise
your solution.
 Any
5
Questions?
4
6

1
Wrap-Up
Describe how a large
group of people might
work together to solve
a problem. What does
it look like? Sound like?
Why might it be
preferable to have
more people try and
solve a problem?
Wrap-Up
Add your own
formative question.