Mount Wachusett Community College, Holyoke Community College, Cape Cod Community College and Middlesex Community College have partnered with BlackRocket to offer fun, interactive, educational summer youth programs for ages 8–14 years old. Programs focus on building creativity, problem solving and critical thinking skills through play. See the complete list below!
Programs cost $149/week and run three hours a day for five days, between June 8 and August 24. They require the use of a computer; be sure to check out our technical specifications. Click the button below to register or contact Valentyna Semyrog at vsemyrog@hcc.edu
Kids & Teens Summer Programs
All programs offer a session for students ages 8 to 11 or ages 11 to 14.
Battle Royale: Make Your First Fortnite Video Game
Fans of Fortnite we need you! Instead of playing the game, design your own. Using a professional 3D game development software, build levels and assets inspired by popular battle royale games like Fortnite. Students can participate in eSports League matches against other schools across the country with a chance to have their levels featured in the Black Rocket master build of the game! This course includes cartoonish action and battle sequences. Student-created games will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Minecraft Redstone Engineers
Take the next step beyond simply “playing” Minecraft and become a true Redstone engineer. Expand your Redstone knowledge by constructing your own carnival with a variety of mini-games, roller coasters, and attractions powered by Redstone. Learn how to use Command and Structure blocks to incorporate them into your builds. Activate your skills and take your Minecraft structures to the next level! Students must own a Java version of Minecraft to access their projects at home. Tablet, phone, and game console versions of Minecraft are not compatible.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Minecraft Modders
Use your favorite game to learn the basics of modding and foundations of programming. Learn scripting and logic statements as you create your first mods! Introductory coding will also be taught through a simulated environment inspired by Minecraft. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students must own a Java version of Minecraft. Tablet, phone, and game console versions of Minecraft are not compatible. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Video Game Animation
Take your game design skills to the next level by creating and animating your own character sprites, objects, and backgrounds. Start with a name, develop the character’s personality, signature moves, special powers, and a storyline. Finish with a fully animated character to be used in your very own game. Students do not need any prior experience in game design, animation, or sketching. Student-created games will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Games are only compatible on PC computers; Mac versions can be created after the program for $15.00 conversion fee. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Make Your First Video Game
If you love playing video games, this is the camp for you! Make your first video game in this one-of-a-kind class that shows you the keys to designing your first 2D platformer game. Conceptualization, play experience, level design, graphics, sounds, and simple coding are just some of the concepts that we’ll explore. No prior experience necessary, just a desire to have fun. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Games are only compatible on PC computers. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years. *Compatible with Windows OS only.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
ESports Apprentice – Streamers and Gamers
Whether you want to be the next pro gamer, streamer, or gamecaster this course will teach you the basics to get started! No longer just a hobby, eSports is the fastest growing career for the next generation. Over 400 million people watched YouTube videos and Twitch streams of video game competitions this year alone! In this course, students will develop competitive game-play skills in Black Rocket’s new eSports App, learn how to produce commentary for live tournaments, use professional streaming software, and most importantly practice online safety. Students will gain full access to the eSports App and a video of their class tournament with commentary. Videos will not be broadcast publicly but will be shared with all students in the class.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Code Breakers
Calling all future coders, programmers, & designers! Learn the basics of coding languages like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS through a series of web projects and design challenges each day and be on your way to becoming the next tech star! Whether you want to be a silicon valley CEO or the high school student who just made $1 million dollars for programming in her bedroom, this course has the essentials you need to begin your journey. Projects will be available on a Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Inventor’s League – Prototyping for the Future!
Become an inventor of the future! Learn ‘rapid prototyping’ and problem solving as you conceptualize and design a product to solve a critical global issue. Each day begins with inspirational profiles of young inventors, such as the eleven-year-old who coded a robot to find victims of natural disasters. Next, research a problem to tackle in medicine, architecture, the environment, or a topic of your choosing. Once your vision is complete, learn how to draft 2D designs, create 3D models, and develop a website to pitch your ideas to the class. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. *Compatible with MAC and Windows OS only.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Minecraft Designers
If you love the game Minecraft, and always wanted to design your own world, this class is for you! Learn how to create a custom map, the basics of creating 3D models using a new software to design your very own objects, how to build with Redstone and Command blocks, and create custom textures for you to import at home or share with friends. Students must have a Java version of Minecraft. Tablet, phone, and game console versions of Minecraft are not compatible. Parent email address is required to use 3D modeling software. Students will work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years. PURCHASE MINECRAFT JAVA EDITION *Compatible with MAC and Windows OS.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Minecraft Animators
Create the next popular animated Minecraft video on YouTube! Practice the same skills professionals at Pixar and Disney Animation Studios use. Discover the process of keyframing and tweening, how to use it to bring your own animated stories to life, and how to publish your content on YouTube. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Mac users can play their project at home, but will not be able to edit the project without a PC. *Compatible with Windows OS only.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Rocket Kart Racers: Design a Mario Kart Style Game
On your marks, get set, create! Blast off in making your first 3D Mario Kart® and Crash Team Racing® style game! Design your own tracks and customize your karts and characters. Using a professional 3D game development software, students will combine their creations into their own kart racing game that they can play with friends and family at home. Students can participate in eSports League races against other schools across the country with a chance to have their tracks featured in the Black Rocket master build of the game! Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. *This requires a 64-bit operating system. *Compatible with MAC and Windows OS only.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Code Your Own Adventure! Interactive Story Telling
Watch as the characters in your imagination come to life in this unique course that blends classic storytelling with animation techniques and coding. Start with a concept, design the characters, and choose not just one ending, but many! Learn how to create your own text-based adventure games with variables, conditional logic, images, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Student projects will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. *Compatible with MAC and Windows OS only.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Pokemon Masters: Designers & 3D Makers Unite
Calling all boys and girls who want to be the designers of the future! In this class, if you can dream it, you can make it! Begin by creating your own digital Pokemon-style custom playing card game. Progress onto designing action figures, jewelry, and toys in professional-level modeling software. Learn how to prepare a model for 3D printing and create a design portfolio to showcase your work! No prior experience is necessary and 3D designs will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Compatible with MAC and Windows OS only.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
3D Game Design with Unity
Are you ready to take your game design skills to another level? With Unity, an industry-grade design software, aspiring game designers will learn level editing, 3D modeling, impactful gameplay creation, as well as how to utilize scripts and variables. Student-created games will be available on a password protected Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Returning students can create more advanced projects that build on previous years. *This requires a 64-bit operating system. *Compatible with MAC and Windows OS only.
Registration Ages 8 – 11 | Registration Ages 11 – 14
Online Approaches to Musical Theatre – Grades 4 – 8
CRN 62405 $89 9:30 – 10:15 am
Actors will learn musical theatre dance styles while also studying acting through song. Each week, one class will be dedicated to dance, learning different styles and choreography, while the second class will be dedicated to learning musical theatre songs, playing drama games, and developing characters. Actors will perform remotely and receive live feedback from the peers in this fun online program. Only a few spots left, sign up soon!
Online Advanced Approaches to Musical Theatre – Grades 9-12
CRN 62395 $89
Actors will learn musical theatre dance styles while also studying acting through song. Each week, one class will be dedicated to dance, learning specific dance styles and choreography, the second class will be dedicated to learning musical theatre songs while developing characters, and the third class of the week will be dedicated to script analysis, advanced character work, and high school/college audition preparation. Actors will perform remotely and receive live feedback from the peers in this fun online program.
Calendar of Course:
Students will meet via Zoom/Google Meet from 2:00pm-2:45pm for eight sessions.
- Week One – Monday, July 6, Wednesday, July 8, & Friday, July 10
- Week Two – Monday, July 13, Wednesday, July 15, & Friday, July 17
- Week Three – Monday, July 20, Wednesday, July 22, & Friday, July 24
- Week Four – Monday, July 27, Wednesday, July 29, & Friday, July 31
The eight sessions will culminate with an online Zoom/Google Meet recital presented for family and friends, focusing on monologues/songs that actors have worked on throughout the course.
Questions should be directed to Gail Steele via email, gsteele@mwcc.mass.edu
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. You can email at noncredit@mwcc.mass.edu or phone 978-630-9525.