New teen program introduces coding
At the event participants will use Bloxel game boards, each with 400 blocks in eight colors, and a Kindle Fire tablet running the Bloxels Builder app to start building their platform-style video game.
The Dover Public Library will continue its Teen Saturday events on Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m. with a program on making video games with Bloxels. Tweens and teens age 8 and up are invited to participate. Parents also are welcome.
Registration is recommended but not required. The program is sponsored by a 21st Century Afterschool Learning Grant with Dover High School. Interested patrons can call teen/outreach services manager Liz Strauss at 330-343-6123 for more information.
At the event participants will use Bloxel game boards, each with 400 blocks in eight colors, and a Kindle Fire tablet running the Bloxels Builder app to start building their platform-style video game.
Participants will start by designing their layout on the game board using the blocks. Then using the Kindles, they will take a picture of the board and import it to the Bloxels Builder app. From there participants will be able to decorate their game and choose backgrounds, characters and more. The app also allows participants to test their games and go back and fix any elements that do not work.
“Bloxels are a great way to get started with computer coding concepts in a creative way,” Strauss said. “It’s easy and quick to get started, and I’m very excited to see what our tweens and teens create at this class.”
After the program the Bloxels and Kindles will become part of Dover Public Library’s Mobile STEAM Lab, which travels to schools and other community organizations to engage participants in science, technology, engineering, art and math activities.
Learn more about programming and services at Dover Public Library online at www.doverlibrary.org.