The TechnoTurtle course has 30 assignments divided into six sessions.

Session 1: Python, Turtles, and Bugs

Students become programmers. To start they learn how the programming language Python is used in daily life. Next, they visit the Turtle library to study the commands and make predictions about their function. They test their ideas by modifying a program to control what it draws. Once familiar with how to run a Python program, students add bugs to the code. This allows them to identify and fix common errors.

Session 2: Conquer the Maze

Students control the movement of a Turtle through a series of mazes. The fun begins when the young programmers write their first script. It marches a Turtle around the screen by moving forwards, backwards, and turning. Once they have mastered this set of commands, students are challenged to develop a script that will guide a Turtle through a maze. Can they solve the puzzle?

Session 3: Draw Pictures

Students write code to draw pictures. To start, they learn how to plot a point on the canvas using x and y coordinates. They apply this knowledge to stamp a unique design. Next, the young programmers follow instructions to design a robot by combining lines, rectangles, circles, dots, and symbols. Once familiar with how to control the Turtle's drawing tools, students build their own program to draw a picture.

Session 4: Design Colorful Spirographs

Students paint stunning artwork. To start, they learn code that repeats a set of instructions forever or for a specific number of times. Next, they complete a series of exercises to discover how to construct looping geometric shapes called spirographs. Once students are familiar with designing patterns, they use the Random library to produce colorful creations.

Session 5: Create a Mad Lib Generator

Students design a word game, called a Mad Lib. It has players provide a list of words that are used to complete a silly sentence or story. To prepare for this coding task, students learn about variables by chatting with the computer. Next, they edit a Mad Lib party invitation to discover how to join variables and text together to form sentences. Once familiar with the structure of the code, they program their own wacky word game.

Session 6: Invent a Carnival Game

Students become game designers. They combine Python and Turtle programming commands to produce a Carnival Game. To start, they learn about if, elif, and else. Once familiar with conditional logic they invent a game that prompts the player to pick an option to win a prize. Optional challenges enrich the design such as looping a flashing message or showing a picture of their winnings. Get ready for fun. Step right up to win a prize!

Optional Python Programming for Kids Activities

• Imagine Life Without Coding: Think about daily life.
• Program the Robot: Animate a drone to complete chores.
• Dot-to-Dot Fun: Draw lines to complete the picture.
• Picture Perfect: Edit code to complete a picture.
• Customize the Stamp: Import an image into the shape list.
• Design a Spirograph: Practice loop code to make unique patterns.
• Rain Cats and Dogs: Randomize x and y coordinates.
• Guess a Number: Build a game to pick a number from 1-10.

System Requirements