National Games for Change Student Challenge

THE GAMES FOR CHANGE STUDENT CHALLENGE is the leading national game design program and competition that combines students’ passion for games with digital learning and civic engagement. Each year, the program reaches thousands of students across the country who join hands-on and virtual game design courses, game jams, and a national game design competition, and gain 21st-century skills that prepare them for school advancement, college, and careers.

The Challenge also builds capacity for educators to teach students how to make games about real-world issues through school and museum-based courses. Now in its 6th year, the 2020-2021 program runs in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York City – as well as nationally through virtual opportunities for teachers and students

ARE YOU A STUDENT?

Learn to think like a game designer and create your first game with the G4C Intro to Game Design curriculum! Youth can access tons of great game design tools and resources here – and registe for an upcoming G4C Game Jam or workshop on the Events Pg.

ARE YOU AN EDUCATOR?

Explore G4C’s Intro to Game Design guide for teachers and the recommended Teacher Resources to learn more about the power of games for learning and how you can use games and game making in your classroom (virtual, in-person or hybrid). Complete this short form to be notified about upcoming G4C professional development opportunities!

ARE YOU A PARENT?

Challenge your kids to design and code a video game about important community topics (start here)! They will gain important STEAM and 21st Century Skills and can enter their games in the annual G4C Student Challenge competition for the chance to win prizes, including a $1,000 Grand Prize Scholarship.

WHAT THE PROGRAM OFFERS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS IN SCHOOLS AND MUSEUMS TO RUN IMPACT GAME DESIGN COURSES

SOCIAL IMPACT THEMES THAT ELEVATE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, IGNITE CURIOSITY AND INSPIRE STUDENTS TO RESEARCH & DESIGN ORIGINAL IMPACT GAMES

GAME DESIGN COURSES THAT EMPOWER STUDENTS TO BECOME DIGITAL CITIZENS, BUILD KEY 21ST CENTURY SKILLS AND EXPOSE STUDENTS TO CAREER PATHWAYS.

GAME JAMS TO HELP STUDENTS HONE THEIR GAME DESIGN SKILLS WITH MENTORSHIP FROM PROFESSIONAL GAME DESIGNERS

AN ANNUAL COMPETITION FOR WHICH STUDENTS CREATE GAMES ABOUT REAL-WORLD ISSUES AND COMPETE TO WIN PRIZES & SCHOLARSHIPS

AWARDS CEREMONY & EXHIBITION OF GAMES TO SHOWCASE AND AWARD THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS

WHY GAME DESIGN?

The Challenge connects with students’ passion for video games, and uses game design to advance STEAM learning, promote acquisition of key 21st-century skills (such as collaboration, communication, systems thinking and problem solving) and encourage civic engagement through digital storytelling. By designing games on issues that matter to them, students become informed creators of media and active change makers in their communities.

WHO DOES THE CHALLENGE REACH?

The Challenge serves middle and high school students aged 13-to-18 years. Any Student Can Submit Their Game to the Challenge’s National Competition. Intensive, school-based Challenge programs, reaching diverse and economically disadvantaged students, are offered in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York City. New downloadable lessons on game design, professional development and robust digital resources are available for educators and students across the country.

WHAT IS NEW TO THE PROGRAM THIS YEAR?

Competition expands nationally, inviting all students across the United States with the opportunity to participate. Learn more here.

New G4C Student Challenge Curriculum is now available to all students for free! Students can move through the course at their own pace and facilitator guides are available for Teachers, Parents and Museum Educators.

A new focus on ‘games and accessibility’ will give students the opportunity to learn how to design games that can be enjoyed by everyone, including people with different types of disabilities. In partnership with Numinous Games, the program will provide resources, workshops and a new ‘Accessibility Award’ to recognize students who integrated accessibility features into the games they submit to the competition.

IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS SINCE 2015

A Program and Competition Empowering Students to Make Games About Important Community Issues

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23 SOCIAL IMPACT THEMES:

Each year G4C partners with world-renowned organizations that share their expertise and inspire students to create games that address important impact themes. Past topics/partners include:

• Endangered Species (in partnership with National Geographic)

• Inclusive Play (in partnership with AT&T)

• Get the Party Started ( in partnership with iCivics)

• Disrupt Aging (in partnership with AARP)

• Kindness & Empathy (in partnership with Born This Way Foundation and iThrive)

• News Literacy (in partnership with Common Sense Education)

• Connected Cities (in partnership with General Motors)

• Climate Change (in partnership with NOAA)

• Civic Journalism (in partnership with the New York Times)