For the past 25 years RP4K has been teaching game programming to children and teens. Our first game programming classes took place in Winnipeg in the mid 1990s.
We have decided to split our educational services into three interconnected streams:
We have now decided to offer specialized courses in AI and Mathematics in addition to our tried-and-true game programming courses. Each of the three educational streams concentrates its focus more heavily.
Online Applied Math Courses
We currently offer three (Beginner, Developing and Advanced) Applied Math for Coders courses and one Elite Pure Math for Coders course.
We are aware of competent programmers who have weak math skills. This may sound surprising, but it is reality. If students are serious about a career in programming or going on into Science or Computer Science, then they will need good math skills.
If a student can get to the mathematical roots of a programming concept, he or she will become more confident using it.
In the future, we may be offering remedial math courses and math tutoring. After all that’s how we started in Winnipeg in 1990!
Online AI Courses
AI is very relevant to video game programming. We hope our AI courses will demystify AI concepts like Pathfinding, Machine Learning, Neural Networks, and Prompt Engineering.
We now offer two AI courses.
Intermediate AI
Advanced AI
Coding Courses
Don’t forget that we have 16 tried and true game coding courses!
Elite Open Project Game Programming, any programming language – 18 weeks, 2 hours per week (this is for very advanced students only, but it is a coding course where your child’s wish is our command!)
Game Programming, AI & Mathematics
AI and Mathematics were already manifesting in our game programming courses in the 1990s!
As soon as we started to teach kids how to program the retro Pac-Man game, we were using AI to govern the Ghost’s movement! We may not have formally called it AI, but nevertheless it was AI.
This means that AI can manifest in game programming.
In 2021 Elliott wrote and began teaching an Elite Level Pure Math & Physics for Coders course. One topic that Elliott touched on was Dijkstra’s algorithm, which is an algorithm for finding the shortest path between nodes in a network.
This algorithm is useful to pathfinding in video game programming. Pathfinding is part of AI. Other pathfinding algorithms like A* are also part of AI.
This means some topics in mathematics can be categorized as AI.
When you’re coding a game, you may need to use the Pythagoras formula for collision detection.
So, mathematics naturally manifests in game programming.
The previous examples help explain the connections between game programming, AI and mathematics.
Real Programming 4 Kids History and Milestones
Elliott taught Calculus and Linear Algebra at the University of Manitoba
We offered Math tutoring and Math enrichment classes in Winnipeg
We began offering Coding Classes in an apartment on Corydon Ave, Winnipeg
Rented Space from a private school in Winnipeg to offer our classes to students from all over Manitoba
We expanded to eight cities in Ontario
We pivoted to Online Coding for Kids Classes
Elliott began teaching online math classes
We are now offering Online Coding, AI and Applied Math classes
Over the past few years I've taken ten courses here. From not knowing a single thing about programming to now being able to help my friends in my school classes. I've had a really fun time here learning many, many new things that I don't think I would have ever been able to learn on my own. The small class sizes along with the simplicity of them is an amazing way to learn. Over the years, my favourite part of these classes were the teachers, taking into consideration the small class sizes, the teachers are quick to help and also explain everything very simply. This is a great place for beginner, and experienced programmers. - Austin
Our kids have been taking courses with Real Programming 4 Kids for years, and the impact has been incredible. Not only have they learned coding, but they’ve also gained a deeper understanding of the math concepts behind it. This program has significantly boosted their confidence with computers and problem-solving, and we’ve seen their success in school improve as a result. The teaching approach is engaging and supportive, making complex topics accessible and fun. Highly recommend this program to any parent looking to give their kids a strong foundation in coding and critical thinking!
Our children have been enrolled in RP4K's classes for several years and we highly recommend their courses. The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging, making learning enjoyable and effective. The courses are thoughtfully structured and the small class sizes make an ideal setting for learning. We've participated in a variety of their courses, and each one has enhanced our children's programming abilities and confidence. Whether your child is exploring Computer Science as a recreational interest or planning to pursue it as a future career, RP4K provides exceptional instruction that caters to students of all levels. It's a fantastic resource for fostering a love for technology and building essential skills for the future.
Our son (now 17) started taking RP4K courses when he was 10. I'm going to say he's taken a dozen courses since then, each one building on the last. His knowledge and understanding of theoretically and practical applications of coding has increased dramatically each year, and the regular communication (including report cards) is helpful. Small classes, a wide breadth of offerings, easy scheduling and easy communication make it really quite a straightforward decision to recommend real programing for kids. Highly recommended.
I attended RP4K almost 30 years ago when it was located in Winnipeg. I'm the Director of Engineering at a tech company now and on the road to get there I've written and deployed countless lines of code-- every single one of them contains a data type or construct that I first learned about at RP4K. I was never really engaged with school, I always felt under stimulated but RP4K's program was able to meet me where I was at and engage me and ultimately sparked a life-long interest in programming and I'm incredibly grateful for the experience.
Both of my sons have attended the RP4K math courses and they both enjoyed it very much. Eliott was an amazing teacher and helped them learn advanced math beyond anything they were being taught in school.They've also been taking the programming courses for 6 years now, from the beginner to the advanced levels. The semi-private format is a good balance, allowing for one-on-one instruction while still giving the opportunity to collaborate with other students.Overall, I would highly recommend RP4K's math and programming courses.
My son Jackson has done three coding classes, an advanced math class and most recently an AI course at RPK. The instruction is top notch. Teachers are engaging and do a great job getting the kids to understand the material. When I asked Jackson about the AI course he said, “This artificial intelligence course has gave me a far greater understanding of ai, genetic algorithms, neural networks and coding.” We look forward to many more courses with RPK.Highly recommend.
Real Programming 4 Kids takes a practical, engaging, and fun approach to teaching kids and teens coding, ai, and math classes. I know the staff are constantly working hard to keep themselves and their students ahead of the game.Keep up the great work!
February 6th, 2024Dear Elliott:I just wanted write you a quick message about our son Evan and how his participation in Real Programming for Kids helped shape his success today.When Evan was ten years old (2007), he attended the session your company ran out of Markham Ontario. He was always eager to go and came out at the end of the day satisfied that he had learned something. He eventually created a game called WORMS, which he was very proud of.RP4K kept Evan focused.. It really became the best way to get him excited about making versus just playing games.His passion for game creation continued at Durham College where he attended their Game Development Program. After graduation, he landed jobs with smaller game companies in Toronto including Certain Affinity and Secret Location, jobs that enabled him to apply to his dream job – living in California, working for Blizzard Entertainment on his favorite game, World of Warcraft.RP4K helped to prove to Evan that he could do it and deserved a chance to be a creator and artist, which he now is. Many thanks to you and your instructors for helping to inspire Evan to pursue his dreams.Michelle and Brad MilesPickering, Ontario
Our older daughter was accepted into the Computer Science program at the University of Waterloo this year. She has been a student at RP4K since her early teens, progressing from the basic to the most advanced courses over the years. Thank you, teachers at RP4K for igniting her passion for programming at an early age!The practical approach to learning and proprietary teaching methodology RP4K offers worked very well for our younger daughter as well. She also enjoys online programming lessons at RP4K and is following the path of her sister. While she still has 1.5 years of school left till university, she is already considering Computer Science or Math, while already teaching small kids at the local Mathnasium.We can recommend RP4K without any hesitation to anyone who is looking for a quality programming school for their kids. Both our daughters benefitted a lot from these courses over the years. We are very glad we found RP4K pretty early and enrolled both of our daughters every year. Thank you, RP4K!
Our son took classes at RP4K over 10 years ago. So why am I writing this review now? Because today, our son is a Software Developer at a prominent international organization, and his start in programming was with RP4K. His classes here were fun, so he was engaged. They modeled and taught the programming skills in games that he liked, and through that engagement, they gave him a foundation that he was able to build upon to advance in his academic studies. At 18 years old, he graduated as a Computer Developer from post-secondary, and he was able to start his career immediately upon graduation with the company he still works at today. Without the classes at RP4K, I don't know that he would have developed the foundations to get so far, so quickly. Life is not a race to be run, by any stretch - but our son was gifted, well beyond what the school system (private and public) could offer him. RP4K gave him what he needed to remain engaged in his education, and it certainly gave him an edge on getting started on achieving his future goals. Reflecting on how far he has come, I thought it was about time to give credit where credit is due. I recommend RP4K to everyone I meet whose child is interested in programming. This is not some light fluff course - it is solid, created by masters in the field, and is worth every penny.
Over a decade ago, I was only 10 when I took my first programming class at RP4K. It was a fun an interactive way to learn, something I didn't get in school. The small class sizes are great. I particularly enjoyed the game development courses. They allowed me to be creative, and inspired my passion for my computer science career path today!
My son has been attending Real Programming 4 Kids for 5 years and we couldn't recommend it more highly! As a homeschooling family we have found Real Programming to be a wonderful companion to our journey. My son showed interest and aptitude in math and programming at a young age and Real Programming has challenged and supported him from age 11. At 16 he's now exploring University concepts in math! Amazing!
I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that my son will be going to College in the fall to study computer programming, with a lot of the credit going to the courses he has taken at RP4K. The courses helped him identify that programming is his passion, and the knowledge and experiences from your courses have set him on a fulfilling career path! Thank you so much!!
My son has been with real programming for kids for approximately 8 years and he has completed almost every course they offer. He is now taking elite courses in their curriculum and I can tell you this coding school has changed his life. He is learning University level programming and his brain is being challenged in a way that truly meets his capacity. I have found that every single teacher has been outstanding. I have never had to work to convince my son to stay in this program. He just loves it and understands that what he's learning is going to be pivotal in his life path. Despite his young age, he is quite certain that he wants to study computer sciences in University and he's also certain that this training is going to help him acheive his goals. I've also had many conversations with the owner and I can tell you they are very passionate people who love the work they do and really want to help young people reach their potential. Thank you RP4K!
I worked for RP4K as a teaching instructor for over 2 years starting in late 2019. The company always made an emphasis on putting our customers first and maintaining the quality of the classes to a very high standard during our meetings and training sessions. Incredible working environment where employees were given endless opportunities to improve on their soft skills and coding skills. Staff always got along well with each other and there was always a strong sense of cohesion. The management figures of RP4K such as Dylan Brunning, John Krent, and Elliot Bay are extremely personable and continuously provided teaching instructors the support, and resources in order for us to have the best chance to succeed. For example, Elliot, the president and owner of RP4K, was kind enough to use his math background in university and math tutoring experience to host math sessions on several occasions for instructors such as myself for the benefit of the quality of the classes we teach as well as for our personal benefit. Overall, I have nothing but good things to say about this organization.
My daughter has been using this programme for 5 years now, and consistently through the past 2 years. She just loves it! It's been helping with her math and science marks, and teaching her a good, in depth understanding of coding. She's gone from doing art as a hobby to considering how her work can be used in such things as game design. She's no longer just a passive consumer of media but now sees our computer as an active piece of equipment in the same vein as her kayak, bicycle and drafting station. RP4K does an excellent job of facilitating this, adapting to her atypical learning challenges, and presenting a very professional online learning interface, which is FAR beyond the Board of Ed. product she has to use. I would recommend this to any parent who wants to give their children the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world, in a format that makes acquiring them the highlight of their week.
I can not recommend RP4K highly enough. I would give them 6 out of 5 stars if I could. When my son asked to try a programming class, I had no idea of the journey he was about to embark on. He is learning practical skills in a programming language used by professionals and loving every minute of it. Zander leaves programming class beaming most days about what he has been able to achieve. This practical, hands-on series of classes is fantastic for the curious mind. It is the perfect course to allow for online engagement in a meaningful way. Zander has completed 3 courses to date and continues to climb up the ladder with the aspiration to eventually be able to create his own game from scratch. The course instills confidence in a practical skill and in math. In addition to being a great program for kids and providing me with a report card to help understand progress, RP4K have been exceptional communicators across the board, Thank-you RP4K! I recommend you every chance I get!Erika
My 8 year old son is on his third program with Real Programming 4 Kids and he is loving it! It is the highlight of his week and he is learning so much, making new friends, and using his coding skills in everyday life. I was very impressed with how quickly and seamlessly RP4K was able to transition from in person to online classes. The continuity of the program was very important for my son during the pandemic. While we were happy with the in person classes, we definitely find the online program works for us. My son is able to maintain his program and communicate with his online friends despite the provincial shutdowns, and the quality of the instruction and the program itself is exactly the same. I would highly recommend this program. The customer service is wonderful, the approach is very personalized and it is a fun, fantastic learning opportunity. On a personal note, a giant thank you to RP4K for all the effort you put in to keep our kids coding! During a difficult time, RP4K provided a positive outlet to keep my son connected to his friends.
Julian, age 10, has been enrolled with RP4K for three courses. He has completed classes both in-person, and virtually, with RP4K.Julian had very much enjoyed his first class which had been in-person, and was impressed with how seamlessly RP4K pivoted last March to an online platform. He now prefers this platform. He loves that RP4K offers proper Programming courses, and not simply Coding classes. Each lesson is a mini maths, and science class within the game. Also currently in development are specialized maths courses for Programmers.The students are evaluated prior to placement and RP4K groups students by ability. RP4K is clearly highly selective in their hiring because not only are all of the instructors subject matter experts, they’re skilled in teaching children. It’s one thing to be a good communicator with adults but it’s a gift to be skilled at teaching children. Instructors make classes fun, and engaging by taking mini lessons such as calculating the slope of a line for students at age 9, and making that skill applicable to the child’s interests.RP4K truly offers a unique experience with the depth, breath, and fun that young minds crave.
London Location: Our child has been attending RP4K and is in his second year. He really loves coding and wants to build a career around it. As a parent there is great value in these programs --- and we thank RP4K for their flexibility as our child is also an athlete which means we have to reschedule from time to time for competitive sports activities.
Since 2011, our son and daughter have taken 10 courses each with RP4K at two different locations. The courses are very well designed and the instructors have all been wonderful. The admin team at RP4K are focused on ensuring clients have a positive experience and they always go the extra mile - they have been really good to us. Our kids have taken computer programming in school now and are miles ahead. Our experience with RP4K has been a full 5 stars over 7 years - we recommend RP4K very highly. Its simply one of the best things we've done for our children.
I would rate RP4K and Rob for 6412 stars if I could!!!!! I took a course of Visual Basic Pizza Bandit and it was perfect for a beginner like me. Rob was an excellent instructor. He made the instructions very clear. It was very fun!!! I will definitely join more courses in the coming months.
