Game Design
in JavaScript

High School Students learn programming concepts with an emphasis on creating game applications in JavaScript

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high school game design

Introductory JavaScript Programming

Full-Year Curriculum

Designed for High School Students

Focus on Game Development

100% Web-Based — No Installations Needed

Hands-On, Project-Based Learning

High School Game Design Course

Introduce students to computer science
through the exciting world of game development.

This course provides an introduction to computer science programming concepts with an emphasis on creating game applications in JavaScript.

The entire curriculum is accessible through the online CodeMonkey IDE. No additional software is required.

The course is a full-year course designed for high school students that are new to coding. No
prerequisite coding experience is needed.

CodeMonkey uses JavaScript as the primary language for the Game Design course, offering
students a comprehensive learning experience through interactive lessons, guided exercises,
and multimedia content. 

This curriculum is designed to foster an interest in computer programming and provide the skills and confidence necessary to continue further in the field.

  • Students see their code come to life instantly
  • Students understand abstract concepts through interactive feedback
  • Students build a portfolio of real, playable projects

Course Syllabus

Introduction to JavaScript

  • 9 lessons

In this unit, students will learn the foundational skills for JavaScript, including basic input/output, variables and variable
types, mathematical calculations, and using the math library.

  • How does a program interact with a user through input and output?
  • What are variables in computer  science and what variable types does JavaScript use?
  • How can you perform  mathematical calculations and utilize the  JavaScript Math library?

Conditional Statements

  • 7 lessons
In this unit, students will learn about boolean expressions and how they can be applied to conditional statements such as if, else if, and else.
  • What is a boolean expression?
  • How can boolean expressions combined with if statements control the flow of a program?
  • How can the use of nested and/or compound сonditional statements enhance a computer program?

Introduction to Graphics in JavaScript

  • 7 lessons
In this unit, students will be introduced to graphics in JavaScript. Students will create basic objects on the JavaScript canvas and use them to make artistic images.
  • How do you create basic shapes on the JavaScript canvas?
  • How can you add text and images to your graphics?
  • How are colors handled in computer science and how can you create custom colors in JavaScript?

Iteration

  • 9 lessons

In this unit, students will learn the basics of iteration, including while loops, for loops, and nested loops. They will apply these
concepts in both a text and a graphics environment.

  • What is iteration and how can it be used in a computer program?
  • How can loops enhance our graphic design programs?
  • How can nested loops be used to create more complex programs?

Functions

  • 8 lessons

In this unit, students will explore the use of functions and how they can be used to simplify programming. Students will apply
top-down decomposition to their graphics programs.

  • What is a function and how can it be used to simplify a program?
  • How does the use of input parameters and return values expand upon the usefulness of functions?
  • How can principles of top-down decomposition be used to create a better program design?

Animation and Events

  • 7 lessons

In this unit, students will learn about different types of events and basic animation in JavaScript graphics. Students will learn both keyboard and mouse events.

  • How does basic animation work in JavaScript?
  • What is an event and how can keyboard and mouse events be used to control the graphics.
  • How can events be used to enhance game design?

Arrays

  • 7 lessons

In this unit, students will learn about arrays in JavaScript, including both 1D and 2D arrays. They will then be able to apply these to their game design elements in graphics.

  • What is an array in JavaScript?
  • How do you access elements in an array?
  • How do you add and remove from an array?
  • How are 2D arrays used?

Objects

  • 6 lessons

In this unit, students will learn about objects in JavaScript and how to access object data using the key/values pairs.

  • How do objects differ from arrays?
  • How do you create and access data within an object?
  • How can objects be used to simplify programs in game design?

Advanced Animation

  • 4 lessons

In this unit, students will explore additional ways to create animation where they can control more aspects of the screen. They will then apply these techniques to make more complex game elements.
The concepts in this unit may be challenging for some students. If you feel that your students would struggle with
these lessons, they can be considered optional and you can complete the final project without them.

  • How can frame rate be changed in animation?
  • How can you create a scrolling screen?
  • How can you use image data to determine a collision event?

Creating Games in JavaScript

  • 3 lessons

In this unit, students will learn basic principles of game design and the software development lifecycle. They will then apply
these skills to create a final game project.

  • What are the elements of a successful game?
  • How does the software development lifecycle aid you in developing your game?
  • How can you apply the skills you learned in this course to a final game project?

Final Exam

  • 1 lesson

In this unit, students will complete a final exam consisting of 25 multiple choice questions. The exam covers content from
units 1 – 10, excluding unit 9.

  • Demonstrate mastery of course content
  • Teacher guides and course explanations
  • Exercises and portfolio projects
  • Interactive lessons and Q&A’s
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Example Projects

Built with CodeMonkey's in-browser development environment

The CodeMonkey Game Design course is delivered entirely online. All lessons, activities, and coding exercises take place in our built-in JavaScript IDE (Integrated Development Environment). There’s:

✅ No additional software to install

✅ No complex setup process.

Students simply log in and start coding.

Want to Learn More about our Game Design Course?

Give your students the tools to build the future.
Enroll in CodeMonkey’s Game Design in JavaScript course and unlock the exciting world of computer science — one game at a time.

  • Course explanations and teacher guides
  • Classroom slides, Interactive lessons and offline activities
  • Exercises and Portfolio projects
  • Unit quizzes and student review questions
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FAQ

CodeMonkey’s Game Design in JavaScript course is an interactive learning program that teaches students how to build their own games using real JavaScript code. The course combines computer science fundamentals with creative game development, allowing learners to understand how games are programmed while actively designing characters, rules, and gameplay mechanics.

By working on hands-on projects, students gain practical experience with one of the world’s most widely used programming languages.

This course is designed for middle school and early high school students who are ready to move beyond beginner coding concepts and start working with text-based programming. It is especially well suited for learners who enjoy video games, problem-solving, and creative projects.

The course also works well for classrooms, coding clubs, and independent learners who want to deepen their programming skills through game creation.

The course uses JavaScript, a powerful and widely used programming language that plays a major role in game development, web applications, and interactive digital experiences. Learning JavaScript helps students build transferable skills that can later be applied to web development, advanced game design, and other computer science pathways.

Some basic familiarity with coding concepts—such as variables, loops, and conditions—is recommended. However, the course is structured to support learners as they transition into JavaScript. Guided lessons, examples, and built-in feedback help students understand new concepts step by step, making the learning process accessible and confidence-building.

Students develop both technical and creative skills, including:

  • Writing and understanding JavaScript syntax

  • Designing game logic and mechanics

  • Using variables, functions, loops, and conditionals

  • Managing user input and game events

  • Debugging and improving code

  • Building complete, playable games from scratch

These skills form a strong foundation for future studies in computer science and software development.

Students create a variety of interactive games, such as arcade-style challenges, puzzles, and action-based games. Each project encourages experimentation and personalization, allowing learners to modify characters, scoring systems, difficulty levels, and rules. This project-based approach keeps students engaged while reinforcing essential programming concepts.

Yes. CodeMonkey’s Game Design in JavaScript course is designed for both individual learners and classroom environments. Teachers can monitor progress, assign lessons, and support students as they work through coding challenges. The course aligns well with STEM and computer science curricula focused on practical, project-based learning.

While the lessons provide structured guidance, students are encouraged to customize their games and experiment with different ideas. By combining coding logic with creative decision-making, the course helps students develop computational thinking while expressing their creativity through interactive design.

Game design in programming is the process of creating interactive digital games by combining logic, rules, visuals, and user interaction. It involves writing code to control how a game behaves, responds to player actions, and progresses over time. Learning game design helps students understand how software systems work while making the learning experience engaging and hands-on.

Game-based learning keeps students motivated by turning abstract concepts into interactive challenges. When kids learn programming through game design, they see immediate results from their code, which improves engagement, problem-solving skills, and long-term retention. It also encourages experimentation and resilience as students test, fail, and improve their creations.

JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages in the world and is widely used in web development, games, and interactive applications. Learning JavaScript helps kids understand real-world coding practices and prepares them for advanced topics in computer science, including web development, software engineering, and game programming.

Yes. JavaScript is often considered an excellent first text-based programming language because it is flexible, widely used, and beginner-friendly when taught with proper guidance. Students can quickly see results from their code, which helps build confidence while learning core programming concepts.

Game design courses help kids develop:

  • Logical thinking and problem-solving

  • Creativity and storytelling

  • Computational thinking

  • Debugging and analytical skills

  • Persistence and independent learning

These skills are valuable not only in coding but also across academic subjects and future careers.

Game design naturally integrates science, technology, engineering, and math concepts. Students apply logic, sequencing, math-based reasoning, and algorithmic thinking while building games. This makes game design an effective way to introduce and reinforce STEM skills in a fun and meaningful context.

Many students can begin learning basic game design concepts in late elementary or middle school, once they are ready for structured problem-solving and text-based coding. With age-appropriate guidance and tools, learners can gradually progress from simple logic to more complex programming and design ideas.