I’ve been using Processing for about 4 years for my G10 course and do specifically teach it from an art perspective and it DOES engage girls.
I’m able to cover all the curriculum expecations and programmatic structures that would be taught in a more conventional format.
Assigment 1 - use graphic primitives to draw-your-timetable and then over-draw a picture file of a cartoon character loaded into the background. Helps students get used to x-y coordinates for graphic objects
Assignment 2 - quick looping assignment gets students using for or while loops to do the conventional celsius-fahrenheit conversion tables but also used to do a loop-controlled zig-zag pattern with shading showning how loops and variables can be used to modify/position graphic objects.
Assigment 3 - Animation - use x-y variables that move characters through ‘scenes’. Each scene is terminated when a character’s x or y coordinate gets to a certain defined value. Use a switch/case structure to switch scenes. I also start students using the Minim (now Sound) library to play sounds in their small movies.
Assignment 4 - “Catching Game” - multiple falling objects are ‘caught’ or missed by a ‘catcher’ . Introduces using the void keyPressed() method to accept keyboard input. Introduces the random() method for varying the falling speed of the objects on the screen and the re-positioning of objects for next falling x-position after each catch/miss. Lots of if/else structures for collision detection. Eventually can use switch /case for the state of the game: 0 = play game, 1 = game over screen. Use controlP5 buttons for ‘PlayAgain or Quit’
I have found students are very engaged by teaching from the Art perspective. I highly encourage you to give it a try!
The other advantage is that in grade 11, I introduce students to Arduino programming and it is based on Processing so the language aspect of Arduino is not an issue because they already know all the structures. And since Processing is a simplified Java, they have very little difficulty transitioning to full Java.
I’ve just started experimeting with the Android mode for Processing. It’s fantastic! So you could give your students the opportunity to port their games to Android tablets/phones.
Here’s a vid of a catching game I ported to Android through Processing:
My clarification page for porting processing to Android can be found at
Good luck!
Gord
(Ontario, Canada)