Programs
Innovation and Creativity
Shawnigan was thrilled to launch a new 360 program called eGAD (Electronic Game and App Development) at the start of this academic year. In this program, students learn the basics of app development and game design and have the opportunity to create projects that contribute to a cause they are passionate about. More specifically, they learn user experience and user interface design principles, prototyping, 3D design, and programming with a variety of programs including: Scratch, Unreal Engine, Java, Unity, C++, C#, Python, Processing and Figma.
EGAD has been a huge success in its inaugural year, with a group of keen students working hard to develop their skills and flex their creative muscles under the guidance of Shawnigan intern Nathalie White (who boasts an impressive resume in this field) and social studies teacher Galen Loiselle.
Mr. Loiselle explains that while some students joined the group with prior knowledge and experience, others entered with none. By giving them time and space to build and create, Ms White has supported the more experienced students in their design thinking while developing basic skills in the less-experienced students.
After nearly a full year of work, each student has now completed 2-3 projects – mostly games, notes Mr. Loiselle – and all have grown immensely in their aptitude and technical skills as well as their ability to design and innovate.
Recently, students learned about circuits and computer recognition while using a Makey-Makey electronic invention kit to build a controller for a video game using bananas (pictured above).
Shawnigan Lake School is adhering to all COVID-19 guidelines released by the BC Ministries of Health and Education, including those regarding learning cohorts, physical distancing and mask-wearing when appropriate.
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Mr. Loiselle explains that while some students joined the group with prior knowledge and experience, others entered with none. By giving them time and space to build and create, Ms White has supported the more experienced students in their design thinking while developing basic skills in the less-experienced students.
After nearly a full year of work, each student has now completed 2-3 projects – mostly games, notes Mr. Loiselle – and all have grown immensely in their aptitude and technical skills as well as their ability to design and innovate.
Recently, students learned about circuits and computer recognition while using a Makey-Makey electronic invention kit to build a controller for a video game using bananas (pictured above).
Shawnigan Lake School is adhering to all COVID-19 guidelines released by the BC Ministries of Health and Education, including those regarding learning cohorts, physical distancing and mask-wearing when appropriate.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
