Stage 02 of 04 · Builder
App Builders Studio: Block Coding
Real mobile apps, blocks not text.
What students learn
Mobile app development with block-based code. For older newcomers who never did Scratch, or Scratch graduates who want to ship a real Android app. Students build apps that use sensors, cameras, AI, and the web.
End-to-end app development workflow without text-syntax friction. Event-driven thinking. Confidence shipping to a real device. The transferable habits of UI design, event handling, and data storage that translate directly to any language.
Module-by-module
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01
App Inventor orientation
Designer + blocks editor + companion app. Hello-world button app.
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02
UI components
Labels, buttons, text input, lists. Tip calculator.
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03
Events & logic
when…do blocks, procedures. Quiz app with score tracking.
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04
Sensors
Accelerometer, location, camera. Step counter or shake-to-randomize.
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05
Data & storage
TinyDB and lists. Notes app that survives restart.
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06
Web + AI extensions
Call a web API; use built-in AI. Image classifier app.
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07
Mini-project, part 1
Pick a real use. Working v1 installed on a phone.
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08
Mini-project, part 2
Polish, package APK, share. Demo to family.
What they make
A working Android app installed on the student's phone and shared with at least 3 people.
Walk away with
End-to-end app development workflow. Event-driven thinking. Confidence shipping to a real device.
Free resources we recommend
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π₯
MIT App Inventor
The platform itself. Free, no install, runs in browser + companion app.
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App Inventor Tutorials
Official video tutorials covering every component.
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Code.org AI App Lab
AI-flavored app projects in a similar block environment.
Honorable mentions
Next step
C9 Python for Builders — or directly into an Innovator project that ships as a mobile app.