Code + Learn
Welcome to Gameheads: After-School, presented by Gameheads: Kids! This program is designed to help youth strengthen math, problem-solving, computational thinking, creativity, and digital literacy skills through hands-on technology activities.
Instead of learning only through worksheets or traditional tutoring, youth will use coding and digital creation as tools for practicing concepts they are already learning in school. Youth may create interactive projects, solve coding challenges, explore digital design, and work with classmates to test and improve their ideas.
The goal is not to turn them into a game designer. The goal is to help them become a stronger problem-solver and more confident learner by connecting academic concepts to technology.
What is the program format?
Gameheads: After-School meets twice each week for one hour. Tuesday sessions focus primarily on Math Through Coding, while Thursday sessions focus on Digital Problem-Solving & STEM.
- Tuesdays: Math Through Coding
- Thursdays: Digital Problem-Solving & STEM
- Time: 4:00–5:00 PM
- Format: Small-group, hands-on instruction in person and virtual options available
- Primary tools may include Scratch, Threadbare, digital design tools, and other age-appropriate technology.
What will I learn in this program?
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Apply mathematical concepts such as patterns, coordinates, geometry, measurement, fractions, variables, and data to interactive digital activities.
- Use computational thinking skills such as sequencing, algorithms, loops, if/then logic, and debugging to solve problems.
- Break larger problems into smaller steps and develop, test, revise, and improve solutions.
- Create digital projects that demonstrate mathematical reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving.
- Explain their thinking, describe how they solved a problem, and present their digital work to others.
What is the expected program schedule?
The following 8-week schedule is a guide. Instructors may adjust activities based on student needs, school schedules, pacing, and available technology.
Week 1 — Patterns & Sequences
Tuesday: Students identify, extend, and create patterns and translate patterns into coding sequences.
Thursday: Students build simple Scratch sequences and practice predicting what a program will do.
Connection: Math connection: Patterns, sequences, prediction. Technology: Scratch and Threadbare.
Week 2 — Coordinates & Grids
Tuesday: Students explore x/y coordinates, grids, and spatial relationships.
Thursday: Students use a digital environment to move characters to specific coordinates and solve navigation challenges.
Connection: Math connection: Coordinate planes and spatial reasoning. Technology: Scratch and Threadbare.
Week 3 — Variables & Mathematical Relationships
Tuesday: Students explore variables as values that can change.
Thursday: Students create projects where changing one number changes another outcome and discuss the relationship.
Connection: Math connection: Variables, relationships, and algebraic thinking. Technology: Scratch.
Week 4 — Geometry in Digital Design
Tuesday: Students explore shapes, angles, measurement, and geometric relationships.
Thursday: Students use movement, repetition, and digital design to create geometric patterns.
Connection: Math connection: Geometry, angles, and measurement. Technology: Scratch and digital design tools.
Week 5 — Fractions & Ratios
Tuesday: Students explore fractions using visual and interactive representations.
Thursday: Students apply proportional thinking through digital activities and simple coding challenges.
Connection: Math connection: Fractions, ratios, and proportional reasoning. Technology: Interactive digital projects.
Week 6 — Logic & Problem-Solving
Tuesday: Students practice if/then logic and break complex problems into smaller steps.
Thursday: Students complete increasingly complex coding, logic, and design challenges.
Connection: Math connection: Logical reasoning and problem-solving. Technology: Scratch, coding challenges, and Threadbare.
Week 7 — Debugging & Mathematical Mistakes
Tuesday: Students identify mistakes in mathematical or coding processes.
Thursday: Students debug projects, test solutions, and explain why a change fixed the problem.
Connection: Academic connection: Error analysis, persistence, reasoning, and revision.
Week 8 — Create & Demonstrate
Tuesday: Students apply skills from the program to plan and build a small digital project.
Thursday: Students demonstrate their projects and explain the math, computational thinking, and problem-solving concepts behind their work.
Connection: Academic connection: Application, communication, reflection, and presentation.
Program Enrollment & Tuition
The 8 week Fall term meets twice per week for a total of 16 sessions
- Fall full term tuition: $498
- Sibling rate: $450
- Fall half term tuition: $249
- Sibling rate: $225
- Session rate: approximately $31.50/per session
Tuition includes curriculum and instructional materials, access to digital learning platforms used by the program, small-group instruction, project/progress tracking and an end-of-program demonstration or showcase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Gameheads: After-School?
Gameheads: After-School is an after-school academic enrichment program, presented by Gamheads: Kids, that uses coding, technology, and digital creation to help students strengthen math, problem-solving, computational thinking, creativity, and digital literacy skills.
Rather than relying primarily on worksheets and traditional tutoring, students learn through hands-on activities, coding challenges, digital projects, and collaborative problem-solving.
What ages is the program for?
The program is designed for students ages 8–14.
Is this a coding class or a math program?
It is both—but the primary goal is academic enrichment through technology.
Students use coding and digital tools to practice concepts they are learning in school, including patterns, coordinates, geometry, fractions, variables, logic, and problem-solving.
Does my child need to know how to code already?
No.
The program is designed to introduce and build coding and computational-thinking skills through age-appropriate activities. Students will learn concepts such as sequencing, algorithms, loops, if/then logic, and debugging as they progress through the program.
What will my child actually do during class?
Students may:
- Complete coding and math activities
- Build projects in Scratch
- Explore digital design
- Complete problem-solving challenges
- Work independently and with classmates
- Test and debug their projects
- Connect math concepts to digital activities
- Explain their thinking and solutions
- Create a final digital project to demonstrate what they learned
Each session combines a short lesson with hands-on practice and project-based learning.
What does a typical week look like?
Gameheads Kids meets twice a week for one hour.
Tuesdays — Math Through Coding
Students focus primarily on applying mathematical concepts through coding and digital activities.
Thursdays — Digital Problem-Solving & STEM
Students focus on computational thinking, STEM challenges, digital creation, and problem-solving.
What topics will students learn?
The 8-week program includes:
Week 1: Patterns & Sequences
Week 2: Coordinates & Grids
Week 3: Variables & Mathematical Relationships
Week 4: Geometry in Digital Design
Week 5: Fractions & Ratios
Week 6: Logic & Problem-Solving
Week 7: Debugging & Mathematical Mistakes
Week 8: Create & Demonstrate
What technology will students use?
Depending on the lesson, students may use:
- Scratch
- Threadbare
- Digital design tools
- Other age-appropriate coding and technology platforms
Students will have access to the technology and instructional materials needed for the program, and families will be notified in advance if anything specific needs to be brought from home.
How will I know if my child is making progress?
Students demonstrate growth through:
- Weekly coding and math activities
- Problem-solving challenges
- Digital projects
- Reflection and explanation
- Their ability to explain how they approached a problem
- A final project and demonstration/showcase
What is the final project?
At the end of the program, students will create and demonstrate a small digital project that incorporates skills they developed throughout the program.
Students will also explain the math, computational-thinking, and problem-solving concepts behind their project.
What makes Gameheads: After-School different from traditional tutoring?
Traditional tutoring often follows a model of:
Math concept → worksheet → practice → test preparation
Gameheads Kids uses a different approach:
Math concept → digital activity → coding → problem-solving → create → explain
Students aren’t simply memorizing answers. They are learning how to apply concepts, test ideas, identify mistakes, revise their work, and explain their reasoning.
What if my child struggles with math?
That’s one of the reasons this program was created.
Students have opportunities to practice academic concepts in a more interactive environment. Instead of only seeing a math problem on a worksheet, they can use coding and digital activities to visualize and apply the concept.
What if my child is already advanced in math or coding?
The program includes problem-solving challenges, project-based learning, and opportunities for students to test and improve their own solutions. Instructors can adjust activities based on student needs, pacing, and available technology.
How often should my child attend?
Consistent attendance is strongly encouraged because each session builds on skills introduced previously.
If a student needs to miss a session, families should notify program staff as early as possible.
What should my child bring to class?
Students should come prepared to:
- Participate
- Ask questions
- Try new things
- Work collaboratively
- Bring any required device or materials communicated by the program
- their thinking and problem-solving process
How does Gameheads: After-School support different learning needs?
Gameheads: After-School is committed to making activities accessible and providing reasonable support so students can participate meaningfully. Families are encouraged to communicate with program staff about accessibility needs or learning supports that may help their child succeed.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
Families can contact the Gameheads: After-School program team with questions about enrollment, scheduling, accessibility, technology requirements, or their child’s participation.
Gameheads: After-School
Email: randi@gameheadsoakland.org
We have a limited number of spaces. Register today!
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
– Plutarch
