8P6

Using coding on Scratch, I created a game because I had never made one before and wanted to try something new. I thought it would be fun to design my own game while learning how coding works at the same time. I experimented with different blocks and commands to control how the characters moved and interacted. It was exciting to see my ideas come to life as I continued building. Overall, it was a great first experience with game creation.

Throughout this process, I learned how to connect all the coding pieces to make my game work properly. I discovered that each block has a specific purpose, and when arranged in the right order, they can create movement, sound, and more. I also learned how to test and fix errors when something didn’t work as expected. It took patience and problem-solving to get everything running smoothly. In the end, I understood how each small part of code comes together to build a finished project.

Out of the seven standards of the class—Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Knowledge Constructor, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator, and Global Collaborator—my project connects most with the Innovative Designer standard. I created something new—a working Scratch game—that others can enjoy. It required planning, building, and testing different ideas to make sure the game worked as intended. I had to think creatively and adjust my designs when challenges came up. This process taught me that innovation involves experimentation, reflection, and improvement.

One challenge I overcame during this project was learning something completely new—how to code and create a game on Scratch. At first, I wasn’t sure how to start or how the blocks worked together. I used tutorials and step-by-step guides to understand the process, which helped me build confidence. As I followed along, I began to try out my own ideas and customize my game to match my vision. Through this experience, I learned that persistence and curiosity are essential when learning something new.

If I had the chance to improve my project, I would change the image I used for the upgrades in my game. The current picture doesn’t fit the theme very well and looks a little out of place. By choosing better visuals, I could make the game look more polished and appealing to players. Even small design changes can make a big difference in how a game feels. I think these updates would make my game more enjoyable overall.

Hastings High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program offers many pathways, such as Agriculture, Business Management, Computer Programming, Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, Digital Multimedia, Engineering Design, Finance, Insurance, and Marketing. My project connects to the Computer Programming CTE program because it uses coding to design and create something that works. Making a game required me to write and test multiple lines of code, just like professional programmers do in their work. It also helped me see how coding applies to modern technology. This experience gave me a glimpse into what a career in programming might look like.

My project also relates to careers in software development, data science, cybersecurity, and game design, since all these fields rely on coding and problem-solving. Software developers and game designers build digital projects similar to the one I created on Scratch. Data scientists and cybersecurity specialists also use coding to analyze data, find solutions, and secure systems. By learning how to build my own game, I practiced foundational skills used in these careers. This project showed me how coding can open the door to many exciting opportunities in technology.

Used perplexity.ai to refine my answers