Teaching K-12 Kids to Code.

Computational Thinking

In our curricula, learners master Computational Thinking Patterns; the algorithms that are the backbone of programming. By coding games, students learn to program the building blocks of scientific simulations, of apps, of all programming. Computational Thinking Patterns are finite, understandable algorithms (or instructions) that can be measured, like cursor-directed movement, action-directed movement, types of collisions - that cause erasure, or an object being carried, generating new objects, leaving a trace, and chasing an object, and game-winning conditions.

Step-by-step Tutorials

Our proven and tested Scalable Game Design programming Instruction is used with kids as young as 3rd grade all the way up to NASA scientists! And teachers don’t have to be programming experts - all tutorials contain complete instructions for teachers and students to exceed CS standards, all while maintaining motivation and engagement. Start by designing and programming a game - 2D or 3D - the assets, the worlds (one level or multilevel), and then code the behavior with portals between levels (link to the Game page). Learn everything you need to design your own game, including troubleshooting common errors. Progress to building scientific simulations. Mix and match tutorials based on level. Each tutorial is a stepping stone on the path to programming computational thinking patterns in any language.

AgentCubes makes Programming accessible for K12

AgentCubes is a 3D programming environment that uses a Visual Programming language to allow anyone to create 3D games or simulations. Kids build assets with our Inflatable Icon Tool, easily turning 2D sprites into 3D characters. World building and programming are easy with our drag-and-drop interface and powerful visual programming language. We even have patented debugging help while programming is in progress! Conversational Programming ® watches your conditions and actions and tells you what might happen next in the world. New programmers can see mistakes before or as they happen. We also include built-in tools for scientific visualization of data and data exportation.

Classroom Management

More than one class? We make it easy for you. Create your teacher account, then add your roster of students in a class to create their student accounts. This gives your students instant access to the full version of AgentCubes. Add or remove individual students as needed. Folders allow you to keep track of student projects. We even have a step-by-step tutorial guide that comes with your teacher account.

CTPA Evaluation Assistance

Computational Thinking Pattern Analysis (CTPA) helps you to look at student projects in the formative stages and approximate a student’s mastery of the CTP components within a project. This allows you to keep up with your classes while a project is being programmed and spot students that may be falling behind, or may have misunderstood important concepts that will let them move on to the next steps.

Additionally, we show you how you can use ACO to help evaluate students’ games and simulations summatively once they are completed! In AC, we include Computational Thinking Pattern Analysis to help you see which students are including properly coded CTPs in their games.

Scalable Game Design

AgentSheets, Inc. and the University of Colorado Schools of Computer Science and Education partnered to develop the Scalable Game Design Curriculum in research supported by NSF to use AgentCubes to teach computer science to students in K-12. They also studied the efficacy of these interventions in real classrooms with hundreds of teachers and over 6000 students.

Our Scalable Game Design programming studies funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Education, the National Institutes of Health, and Stanford University show overwhelming efficacy to motivate, engage and teach students. Learn more about this important research, and see some key publications .