~WAIT LIST ONLY~ for OUR Summer Coding Camps

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DUE TO OVERWHELMING RESPONSE, WE ARE ONLY TAKING WAITLIST REGISTRATIONS AT THIS TIME.

About the Class

In this exciting two-week course, students will dive into the world of game development using GameMaker Studio 2, one of the most popular 2D game engines for beginners. 

This class is perfect for aspiring young game designers who are curious about how video games are made and want to create their own interactive experiences from the ground up. 

What Students Will Learn

• Basic Game Design Concepts
• Working with Sprites, Objects & Rooms 
• Programming with GameMaker Language (GML) & Drag-and-Drop Coding
• Building Playable Games
• Debugging and Iterating on Game Ideas

Students will be starting with the game editor and working up to developing their own game projects with the easy-to-use Drag and Drop coding system, learning the basic workflow of game design and getting into the groove of how game dev works. 

GameMaker Studio 2 is a great entry-level programming system designed with beginners in mind, and is easy to pick up but has potential for more complex and fully-featured games. 

Fans of Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Among Us, Pokémon, Undertale and more will have plenty of tools to take these inspirations and bring their ideas to life. 

What to Expect 

• Hands-on projects every day 
• Guided instruction with room for creative exploration 
• Final showcase where students can demo their games 
• A fun and collaborative learning environment

What will Be Provided 

• 18 Hours of Learning by on-site Instructors
• PCs and peripherals provided in the Library’s Computer Lab

What to Bring

• A USB drive (optional, to save their game to take home) 
• A love for video games and creativity!
• Students may bring their own Windows laptops if they prefer

Dates & Times

The Course will be hosted over 2 Weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting on June 9 through June 20, 2025.  Classes run from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Location

Jacksonville Main Library - Downtown

303 N Laura St, Jacksonville, FL 32202

Registration Info 

Cost:  Free*

*Participants are expected to commit to attend all sessions.

DUE TO OVERWHELMING RESPONSE, WE ARE ONLY TAKING WAITLIST REGISTRATIONS AT THIS TIME.

DUE TO OVERWHELMING RESPONSE, WE ARE ONLY TAKING WAITLIST REGISTRATIONS AT THIS TIME.

Sponsored by The Friends of the South Mandarin Branch Library

About the Class

Unlock Student Creativity with an Expert-Led Game Design Program (for Students aged 7 to 12).

Our Game Design Program provides an innovative course that teaches elementary aged students skills including programming, digital literacy, animation, and 3D modeling.  The program also promotes problem-solving and critical thinking, fosters collaboration and communication, and introduces students to careers in game design and related fields.

Our highly-capable instructors guide students through their game design projects, providing expert support and personalized feedback.

Activity Details:

Remote Instruction: Every class has a dedicated remote instructor that collaborates with our on-site facilitator to provide students with the highest-quality learning experience. These instructors connect virtually to the Library Computer Lab, delivering live instruction directly to students. 

Student Takeaways: All students retain ownership of their video game and creations permanently, even after the class is over.

First Coast Esports Alliance and the South Mandarin Library will provide the computers and the coding platform.  Students need to show up and commit to attending each of the 6 weeks as each week builds upon the previous learning experience

What to Expect 

• Hands-on projects every day 
• Guided instruction with room for creative exploration 
• Final showcase where students can demo their games 
• A fun and collaborative learning environment

What will Be Provided 

• 12 Hours of Learning through Virtural and onsite Instructors
• PCs and peripherals provided in the Library’s Computer Lab

What to Bring

• A USB drive (optional, to save their game to take home) 
• A love for video games and creativity!
• Students may bring their own Windows laptops if they prefer

Dates & Times

The Course will be hosted over 6 Weeks on Wednesdays starting on June 11 through July 16, 2025.  Classes run from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Location

Jacksonville South Mandarin Library

 12125 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223 

Registration Info 

Cost:  Free*

*Participants are expected to commit to attend all sessions.

DUE TO OVERWHELMING RESPONSE, WE ARE ONLY TAKING WAITLIST REGISTRATIONS AT THIS TIME.