🤖 Java Robocode Course

Welcome to the Java Robocode course! This ten-day creative coding journey blends hands-on learning, story-building, and game design as students build, test, and battle their own virtual robots. In this space, every learner’s story matters — we create community, celebrate curiosity, and embrace challenges together.

Students with prior programming experience may choose to begin directly with Week 2.

🌱 Week 1 (Days 1–5): Foundations & First Robots

A gentle, supportive start for all learners. This week emphasizes accessibility, debugging through discovery, and scaffolded growth.

Students will:

• 💻 Set up Java and Robocode using multiple entry points
• ✍️ Write simple programs with variables, loops, and conditions
• ⚙️ Build and move their first robot — safely and creatively
• 📃 Practice System.out.println debugging as a reflection tool

This week fosters relationships, confidence, and a sense of belonging through shared coding milestones.

🤝 Week 2 (Days 6–10): Smarter Bots, Stronger Voices

Students deepen their understanding of Java and design AI-driven robot behavior, applying strategy and planning.

They will:

• 🎯 Create scanning and dodging logic
• 🧠 Learn to manage robot energy/state
• ✏️ Sketch robot behavior using flowcharts

Finale: A Robocode tournament with a focus on kindness, peer feedback, and shared joy.

Course Requirements Course Outcomes Extras

📆 Day-by-Day Highlights

🧭 Day 1: Begin the Journey

• Install Java & Robocode
• Run a “Hello World” test
• Explore the Robocode arena (offline & online options)

🤖 Day 2: First Robot

• Code and compile a robot
• Meet Robocode methods like run() and turnGunRight()
• Learn the fundamental geometry used in robocode

🌿 Day 3: Variables & Values

• Learn int, double, String
• Use variables to track energy and direction
• Design robots with identity

🌀 Day 4: Events & Output

• React to ScannedRobotEvent, HitByBulletEvent
• Use print statements as narrative tools
• Celebrate every bug as a clue

🏁 Day 5: Review Tournament

• Friendly tournament and player cards

🔁 Day 6: Logic & Loops

• Apply if, else, while, for
• Build bots that adapt
• Invite feedback from peers

🧯 Day 7: Debugging & Error Care

• Break code into helper methods
• Discuss ownership and naming in code
• Practice try/catch
• Understand basic debugging
• Model problem-solving through patience and friendliness

📐 Day 8: Strategy Design

• Plan robot behavior with diagrams and flowcharts
• Brainstorm strategies for survival, not just attack
• Refactor your robot for cleaner performance

🛠️ Day 9: Project Build

• Full build day with mentors
• Encourage cascade mentorship
• Invite community check-ins and progress showcases

🌈 Day 10: Tournament & Reflection

• Celebrate through a friendly competition
• Showcase unique robot designs and strategies
• Reflect on journey using peer & self-assessment tools

🚀 Day 11+: Advanced Upgrades

• Chain lessons on predictive firing, movement patterns, and radar locking

🎓 Let the coding begin — together, in a safe and just space to learn, dream, and code.