Fourth graders showcase coding skills through Scratch clicker games

During the last quarter of the school year, Broadalbin-Perth fourth graders put their creativity and computer science skills on display by designing and programming their own interactive clicker games using Scratch.

Throughout the project, students explored the fundamentals of game design by learning about inputs and outputs — the actions players take and how a game responds. Working in programming pairs under the direction of art and Project Lead the Way teacher Jon Aery, students shared responsibilities as both the “driver,” who controlled the computer, and the “navigator,” who helped solve problems, plan code, and debug programs.

Using these skills, each team created an original clicker game featuring unique themes, animations, sounds, and scoring systems. From colorful characters and imaginative storylines to fast-paced challenges, every project reflected the students’ creativity while reinforcing computer science concepts.

Families, friends, and community members are invited to test the student-created games, challenge themselves to beat the high scores, and experience the creativity behind each project. Access the games at https://bit.ly/4vPy03T. Visitors can also explore the programming behind any of the games by clicking “See Inside” to view the code students used to bring their ideas to life.

The project provided students with a hands-on opportunity to practice collaboration, problem-solving, and computational thinking while learning the building blocks of coding in a fun and engaging way.