About the Course

Code and Compose: Create Digital Music and Animation

In this course, we will blend creativity and technology through hands-on experiences using the Makey Makey app and Scratch programming language. We'll design interactive controllers from everyday objects and use them with digital music, animations, and games created in Scratch. As we explore coding concepts and physical computing, we will engage in collaborative projects and problem-solving challenges that connect technology with artistic expression. Through group discussions, shared projects, and a peer discussion board, students will develop technical skills, teamwork, and digital storytelling abilities. By the end of the course, you will have created personalized, interactive digital experiences that showcase your creativity and newfound coding expertise.

Time commitment: 2.5-3.5 hours per week (1.5 hours of class time, 1-2 hours of independent work). Course will include 3 sessions over 3 weeks.

Course Overview

About Mini Courses

Taught over 1-3 sessions, these short survey courses are designed to give students the opportunity to sample a topic, engage with a community of advanced learners, and take a course that suits their busy schedule.

The content in Code and Compose: Create Digital Music and Animation overlaps with the CTY courses Introduction to Computer Science and Engineering and Advanced Scratch. Students who have already taken Introduction to Computer Science or Engineering and Advanced Scratch may wish to consult with an enrollment advisor before selecting this course.

This course is

ungraded.

Classes

Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY.

Wednesdays
-
2 weeks
7:00 p.m. (ET)
$446
Enroll

Testing and Prerequisites

  Math Verbal
Required Level CTY-Level Not required
Check your eligibility using existing test scores If you do not have existing test scores:

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

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Cost and Financial Aid

  • Tuition
    • Varies
  • Application fee
    • Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
    • Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

CTY Financial Aid Availability for Online Programs

Academic Year 2025-26 (Course start dates July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026): Financial Aid funding is currently available for all eligible students while funding lasts. If interested in applying for financial aid, please select a course with start date of July 1, 2025, or later.

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Course Materials

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact ctyinfo@jhu.edu.
 

Families will be notified by email of any required materials one week prior to the course start date. 

Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

About Computer Science and Technology at CTY

Are you a student in elementary through high school who dreams of being a coder? Do you want to develop critical thinking and learn creative problem solving? And do you want to do it all on your own time and at your own speed? Our fun and lively online Computer Science and Technology courses range from Scratch programming for young scholars to advanced Java concepts and AP Computer Science. Gear up for learning real-world computer languages and practicing new programming skills in an array of projects including animation, game design, web design, and more.

Get started with Computer Science and Engineering

In the Mission to Mars: Robotics in Space course, you’ll get to use your scientific and creative abilities to design and build your own robot to complete Mars-specific challenges. You'll learn programming concepts such as conditionals, variables, functional decomposition, abstraction, and flow control. Get ready to take a hands-on approach in this fun course!

Meet our Computer Science and Technology Instructors