When objects collide: abstractions over common physics problems for capstone projects in CS1
Adrienne Decker, Sara Haydanek, Christopher A. Egert · Journal of computing sciences in colleges · 2005
In our efforts to create interesting capstone assignments for CS1 students, we discovered that the design and implementation of single-player games could provide an acceptable level of challenge and motivation. However, there were some challenges with these types of projects. To have students implement even the simplest games, they would be required to solve difficult problems pertaining to basic physics. Physics issues include collision detection, gravity, and friction. In an effort to make the physics approachable for students, a system of classes was developed that could handle the basic physics and allow the students to focus on the larger implementation issues of the game. This first test of this package with the students has been a scaled-down implementation of the game of Centipede.