iTECH Academy is a Magnet Schools of America National Award of Excellence Magnet School, a M-DCPS Magnet School, and a Career and Technology Education (CTE) Career Cluster under the Information Technology Program. iTECH Academy’s Game, Simulation, and Animation Career Cluster is organized and aligned to Career Clusters as delineated by the Florida Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education.
Program Title: Academy of Video Game, Simulation, and Animation
Program Type: Magnet
Career Cluster: Information Technology
Lead Magnet Teacher: Mr. Barge
If you are interested in video game design and development, art and animation, modeling and simulation, prototyping and robotics, and computer science and programming, then this magnet program is right for you. At iTECH Academy Miami Springs, we are creative technologists.
*Students must meet the eligibility criteria to take courses in the magnet.
A minimum of 2.5 GPA in your core academic subject areas (e.g. language arts, mathematics, science, social studies) and in conduct is required. All your effort grades in core academic classes must be “2” or higher and no more than 10 unexcused absences will be allowed for previous year.
8208110 Video Game, Simulation, and Animation Foundations
Teacher, Mr. Barge
In this course you will explore the history of video games, game genres, and learn to make video games. You will build a portfolio and resume showcasing your work and what you have learned. You will learn to rapidly design, develop, test and debug using Game Maker and your video games will be deployed using Game Maker. You will learn graphic design and illustration using Adobe Illustrator and you will take the Illustrator Industry Certification Exam.
8208120 Video Game, Simulation, and Animation Design
Teacher, Mr. Barge
In this course you will advance your exploration of the history of video games, game genres, and advance learning to make video games. You will augment your portfolio and resume showcasing your work and what you have learned. You will design, develop, test, debug and deploy competitive video games using advanced Game Maker skills. You will learn visual communication using Adobe Photoshop and take the Photoshop Industry Certification Exam.
8208130 Video Game, Simulation, and Animation 2D Graphic Development
Teacher, Mr. Barge
In this course you use Unity to develop and code advanced video games with an emphasis on 2D design. You will augment your portfolio and resume showcasing your work and what you have learned.
8208330 Video Game and Simulation Programming
Teacher, Mr. Barge
In this course you will learn to use Unity to develop and program advanced video games with an emphasis on code in C#. You will also learn to code JavaScript. You will augment your portfolio and resume showcasing your work and what you have learned. You will develop and finish competitive video games using Unity. You will learn interactive media using using Adobe Flash and you will take the Flash Industry Certification Exam.
Honors 2D Portfolio
Teacher, Ms. Goldstein
In this course you will learn to apply the elements of art and principles of design to augment your magnet portfolio. These skills will help to strengthen and advance your digital art skills. Upon the completion of this course you will have made twelve or more art pieces for your portfolio. Your art pieces will also be used during your twelfth grade year to complete the breath requirement for your A.P. portfolio submission. This course will increase your marketability for career and post-secondary education.
8815110 Video Game, Simulation, and Animation 3D Graphic Development
Teacher, Mr. Barge
In this course you use Unity to develop and code advanced video games with an emphasis on 3D design and VR using the Oculus Developers Kit. You will learn 3D modelling using Blender, 3DS Max, or Maya. You will augment your portfolio and resume showcasing your work and what you have learned.
8208340 Multi-User Game & Simulation Programming
Teacher, Mr. Barge
In this course you will advance using Unity to develop and program video games with an emphasis on 3D and code in C# with an emphasis on multiple users. You will learn advanced computer science and advance using JavaSript. You will augment your portfolio and resume showcasing your interactive 3D work and what you have learned. You will develop and finish competitive video games using Unity.
Advanced Placement 2D Portfolio
Teacher, Ms. Goldstein
In this course you will select a topic and create sixteen pieces of art for the concentration and quality portions of your A.P. portfolio submission. By the completion of this course you will have a well-rounded portfolio for applying to college and/or getting entry level jobs. This course is the equivalent of a college level class.
iTECH Research (Teacher Recommendation Required)
Teacher, Mr. Barge
This course is inspired by Aspire IT, the talent development pipeline initiative of the National Center for Women & IT (NCWIT). It is designed to increase women’s meaningful participation in computing careers by providing encouragement, visibility, community, leadership opportunities, scholarships, and internships to high potential technically inclined young women. Aspirations in Computing is the only national level talent development program for young women in computing and information technology. During this course, we design, develop and implement competitive terrestrial robots, aerial robots, and video games, all of which apply computer programming, computer science, and by default integrate STEAM. We are members of the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and our robot, HawkTron, competes during VEX Robotics Competitions and we volunteer at REC Foundation Events.