Game Makers Lab (Curriculum)

Here is our 12-week comprehensive curriculum for the course “Game Makers Lab: Build, Play, Innovate – Learn game development with Construct 3 and Scratch.” This is designed for K–12 learners and includes weekly lesson plans, quizzes, assignments, projects, and a final showcase:

🧠 Course Overview

Duration: 12 Weeks (1–2 sessions/week)
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Audience: Students aged 8–14
Requirements: Basic computer literacy, no prior game dev experience
Tools: Scratch (scratch.mit.edu), Construct 3 (free version, construct.net)


📅 Weekly Lesson Plan

Week 1: Intro to Game Design Concepts
  • Focus: What makes a good game? Types of games
  • Activity: Play and analyze simple games
  • Assignment: Game design brainstorm sheet
  • Quiz: Game genre matching and basic terminology
Week 2: Getting Started with Scratch
  • Focus: Sprites, stage, movement
  • Activity: Create a moving character
  • Assignment: Animate a sprite across the screen
  • Quiz: Identify Scratch blocks for motion & looks
Week 3: Interactions and Controls in Scratch
  • Focus: Events, controls, keyboard inputs
  • Activity: Character moves with arrow keys
  • Assignment: Make a simple player-controlled object
  • Quiz: Block purpose and sequence
Week 4: Game Logic – Score, Lives, and Levels
  • Focus: Variables and conditions
  • Activity: Add scoring and lives to a simple game
  • Assignment: Build a fruit catcher game
  • Project Milestone: Functional game prototype
Week 5: Final Scratch Game Project
  • Focus: Combine elements into a complete game
  • Assignment: Create a playable Scratch game (2 levels, score, player control)
  • Showcase: Playtest and peer review
  • Quiz: Debugging basics
Week 6: Transition to Construct 3
  • Focus: Intro to Construct 3 interface and event sheets
  • Activity: Tour Construct 3 + create a project
  • Assignment: Build a simple drag-and-drop interaction
  • Quiz: Construct vs Scratch comparison
Week 7: Player Movement in Construct 3
  • Focus: Movement behaviors and controls
  • Activity: Side-scroller platformer setup
  • Assignment: Add movement and jump logic
  • Quiz: Behavior and event sheet basics
Week 8: Enemies, Obstacles, and Collisions
  • Focus: Object interactions and game mechanics
  • Activity: Enemy that moves and resets game on collision
  • Assignment: Build a chase or dodge game level
  • Quiz: Collision logic review
Week 9: Game UI – Scores, Menus, and Game Over
  • Focus: Adding HUDs, score tracking, game states
  • Activity: Create title screen and game over layout
  • Assignment: Fully functional game with UI
  • Project Milestone: First Construct 3 game demo
Week 10: Polish, Effects, and Sounds
  • Focus: Visual effects, background music, sound triggers
  • Activity: Add win/lose conditions and celebration sound
  • Assignment: Polish your Construct 3 game
  • Quiz: Effects and sound block functions
Week 11: Final Project Development
  • Focus: Combine all elements into a unique game
  • Assignment: Create a full game with 3+ levels
  • Peer Feedback: Play and critique each other’s games
  • Review: Debugging and improvement checklist
Week 12: Game Showcase and Reflection
  • Focus: Presenting and reflecting
  • Activity: Online or in-person game fair
  • Assignment: Reflection journal and feedback form
  • Recognition: Completion certificate + digital badge