NEW YORK CITY

THE GAMES FOR CHANGE CHALLENGE INVITES STUDENTS TO DESIGN AND CODE GAMES ABOUT REAL-WORLD ISSUES IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITIES.

Middle school and high school students in NYC public schools can join the competition for the chance to win prizes like meeting professional game designers, cool new gaming gear, and career opportunities in tech and civic service.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CHALLENGE

  1. Pick one of the three themes:
    1. Climate Change
    2. Future Communities
    3. Local Stories & Immigrant Voices
  2. Research your theme, attend a Moveable Game Jam in NYC or conduct interviews in your own neighborhood.
  3. Make a digital game that tackles your theme. Work individually or in a small team.
  4. Submit your game by April 12, 2017.

Any middle or high school student enrolled in a New York City public school can participate! Check that you meet the eligibility requirements and review the submission guidelines. Submit your game through the submission portal on the Student Challenge website starting February 7, 2017.

CHALLENGE TIMELINE

OCTOBER 2016

PROGRAM LAUNCHES

Challenge opens in NYC, Dallas and Pittsburgh with game design courses in 20 schools and game jams across NYC.

JANUARY 2016

GAME DESIGN BEGINS

Students encouraged to choose one of the three Challenge themes and make a game to submit to the competition.

FEBRUARY 2017

SUBMISSION PORTAL OPENS

Students can submit their games on the Challenge website until the deadline of April 12, 2017.

APRIL 2017

Evaluation & Judging

Submissions evaluated on gameplay, creativity and content. Two winners per theme and one Grand Prize winner will be selected in NYC.

JUNE 2017

AWARDS CEREMONY & PRIZES

Prizes awarded at ceremony and exhibition at Museum of the Moving Image on June 10, 2017. Grand Prize winner presented onstage at the 2017 G4C Festival.

MOVEABLE GAME JAMS OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS

Four day-long game jams are held across NYC, and open to all NYC students. From October to January, learn how to make games, and meet experts in each of the themes. Sign up on the Events page, and read about our first two game jams on the Challenge blog.

Games for Change is working with HIVE Learning Network partners Coderdojo NYC, Institute of Play, Museum of the Moving Image, Global Kids, Mouse, Spazecraft and Black Girls Code to run these hands-on events.

20 SCHOOLS ACROSS NYC RUNNING GAME DESIGN COURSES

Out of 62 applicants, 23 teachers from all five NYC boroughs were selected to receive training to run game design courses at their schools. Students in the courses are learning how to use Gamestar Mechanic and Scratch through the Mouse Serious Game Design curriculum. Professional game designers provide advice to students and conduct classroom visits throughout the school year.

ADDITIONAL STUDENT COURSES & PROGRAMS IN NYC

If you’re looking for even more opportunities to do cool projects with technology, here are a few more teen programs offered in New York City.

NEW YORK ON TECH – TECH360 is a free, 9-week after-school program for 10th-12th graders enrolled in NYC schools. Learn the fundamentals of web development, develop a portfolio of technology projects, gain priority eligibility into the Tech Flex Leaders program and get to participate in professionals opportunities at companies in NYC. (REGISTER NOW – Deadline: January 8, 2017)

PIXEL ACADEMY MINI CAMPS – Single-day mini-camps on most school holidays throughout the fall in NYC.

NANO HACKER ACADEMY – A free, intensive bootcamp for young programmers in Manhattan. Application deadline: Nov 20th!

CODE ED – Teaching girls computer science.

THE KNOWLEDGE HOUSE – Program dedicated to bringing innovation, technology and entrepreneurship to the south Bronx.

PER SCHOLAS: NEW YORK – Free IT job training in cities where it is needed most.

NEW YORK CODE + DESIGN ACADEMY – Hands-on coding courses.

2016/17 NYC COHORT

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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A PARTNER?

Games for Change is expanding the Challenge program for 2017–2018 and seeking both national and local partnerships. For information on how to get involved, email [email protected].