teacher_notes.md

Week 15 – Catch the Stars (Collisions + Error Handling)

Objectives

• Implement collision detection using distance formula
• Display and update score
• NEW: Introduce try/except error handling
• Use lists for object positions

New Concept: Error Handling

try:
    # Code that might cause errors
    result = risky_operation()
except Exception as e:
    # What to do if error occurs
    print(f"Error: {e}")

Why? Games should keep running even if something unexpected happens!

Lesson flow (60 min)

1. Warm-up (10 min): Review distance formula from math
2. Teach (15 min): Collision detection, try/except basics
3. Build (20 min): Implement collection game with scoring
4. Challenge (15 min): Multiple stars, different point values

Success Criteria

• Working collision detection
• Score updates when collecting stars
• Understanding of try/except purpose