Rays of Sunshine: STEAM HERO Coding Game

This is the project for our team submission for the Outsystems Build for the Future Hackathon. Our team has created a solution for our selected non-profit organisation, Hope Worldwide Malaysia.

Web Application Link: STEAM HERO Coding Game

Submission Doc: Submission Doc Link

Problem Overview:

Hope Worldwide Malaysia is an international charity committed to uplifting underprivileged communities through volunteerism and education. In this initiative, our focus is on empowering children through education, particularly in the areas of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). The non-profit organisation has identified a pressing need for accessible resources to teach STEAM subjects to underprivileged children, who often lack the tools and opportunities to learn these critical skills due to their challenging circumstances.

To address this need, we are developing an interactive, drag-and-drop coding game designed to introduce children aged 12-17 to foundational concepts in coding and logical thinking. By allowing them to create simple algorithms in a fun, engaging way, this game aims to build their problem-solving skills while boosting their confidence in navigating the digital world. Ultimately, our goal is to inspire these children to explore their potential in STEAM fields, opening doors to future opportunities that might otherwise seem out of reach.

This educational game will align with Hope Worldwide Malaysia’s STEAM program, offering an innovative and supportive learning experience that empowers the next generation.

How it Works:

When new users start the game, they'll first create an account and log in. After that, they will be able to name their pet character. The game offers a variety of programming modules with the final module covering all programming concepts, and users are encouraged to complete them based on the order as arranged in the web application.

Once they choose a module, they'll be taken to a lesson page that includes:

- A drag-and-drop block interface to create code,

- A chatbot that asks random questions based on the module and difficulty level they selected, and

- A stage where their pet character performs based on the code they write.

The chatbot will guide them through coding challenges by generating questions, where the goal is for the user to use the right block combinations to make their character move correctly. If the user is stuck, the user will be able to ask the chatbot for hints. Points are awarded based on the difficulty level:

- Easy questions earn 10 points,

- Medium questions earn 20 points, and

- Hard questions earn 30 points.

As users accumulate points, a progress bar fills up, and once it's full, they'll unlock new costumes for their character. After they've completed one easy, medium, and hard question in each module, they can download a customised certificate of achievement.

Our Impact: 

As this educational game aligns with HOPE worldwide Malaysia’s STEAM program, it holds the potential to positively impact hundreds of underprivileged children each year, offering them valuable opportunities to develop skills in STEAM.