In a virtual Awards Ceremony on June 16, 49 students from 14 different states were recognized for outstanding work on social impact themes and special award categories including accessibility, XR innovation, use of Unity, and critical writing. The games were rigorously reviewed by a panel of over 200 expert judges, who selected finalists and winners across regions and age groups. A full list of winners and finalists — along with links to try the games — is available in the G4C Student Challenge Arcade.
“From the G4C Student Challenge, I’ve learned that games are hard to make, but finishing a project to the end and seeing people play what I’ve made really makes it all feel worth it. I’ve learned that games are a powerful tool to change the way people think through entertainment, and I hope to continue developing games and technology for social good, either as a hobby or a career,” said Felicia Y. from Raleigh, North Carolina, an award winner for her game about climate change, Our Lonely Speck.
“What I love about G4C Student Challenge is that it gives students the opportunity to challenge their own creativity and problem-solving skills within the boundaries of social impact themes. As an educator, I learned to trust the process and provide space for students to grow,” said Mario Flores at Reseda High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District who received one of the 2022 Leadership Awards for educators.
“The Student Challenge not only presents students with a gaming challenge, it provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary learning. Students acquire invaluable coding skills, exhibit their artistic abilities, and do research on a current societal issue. And teachers are given support to guide students through the process of game design.” said Melissa Webb, a Mathematics Teacher from Utica Center for Science and Industry in the Detroit Metropolitan area who was also recognized with a Leadership Award this year.
This year, there were more ways to participate than ever before, with a new national competition structure, special award categories, new downloadable curriculum available for free online, and special programs including game jams and educator professional development in six Challenge partner cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Seattle.
“Games for Change is proud to showcase student work from so many different U.S. states this year. We are committed to continuously expanding and improving the Student Challenge curriculum, and making the content and competition structure more accessible to students, teachers and families,” said Susanna Pollack, President of Games for Change. “We’re looking forward to the continued growth of this innovative program in the U.S. and abroad, with G4C’s Latin America chapter launching its own version of the Student Challenge this year.”
For this year’s Challenge, students created digital games that meaningfully address one of the following social impact themes:
- Shaping the World for Difference: Games that raise awareness about learning and thinking differences (in partnership with Understood).
- Sustainable Cities: Games about solutions to the climate crisis and ways we can make our homes, schools, and communities more resilient and sustainable (in partnership with NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).
- Voice of a New Generation: Games that demonstrate the importance of voting, propose solutions to make the process more accessible, and encourage more young people to participate (in partnership with The New Georgia Project).
“At Understood, we love seeing examples of accessible and inclusive experiences for people who learn and think differently” said Jenny Wu, Co-President and Chief Product Officer. “We are incredibly proud of these G4C Student Challenge winners who created games that not only are fun for everyone, but also reflect the perspectives of neurodivergent individuals. These students are changemakers, and we’re excited to work alongside them to help shape the world for difference.”
“We’re at a pivotal moment in the fight against the climate crisis – we need to take urgent action to protect our communities, to make them more climate resilient,” said Kim Morasse, Entertainment Partnerships Manager at NRDC. “Congratulations to this year’s G4C winners whose creativity has the power to help us envision a healthier and more equitable future. Together we can bring about the transformational change the world needs.”
THE WINNERS
GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
- [Northeast] Sustainable Frogotropolis | Maya W and Silvie L | The Computer School | NYC, NY
- [Northeast] Community | Nick L and James K | Hanover High School | Hanover, NH
- [South] Industrial Issues | Andrew C | Urbana Middle School | Ijamsville, MD
- [South] Our Lonely Speck | Felicia Y | Enloe High School | Raleigh, NC
- [Midwest] About Cerebral Palsy | Abigail B | Evansville Christian School | Evansville, IN
- [Midwest] Port Pickup | Drew O and Logan L | Utica Center for Science and Industry | Macomb, MI
- [West] Mixedville |Lila A, Taryn F, and Kayden Y | STEM Lab | Northglenn, CO
- [West] The Hand of President | Ben K and Brandon D | Geffen Academy at UCLA | Los Angeles, CA
REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
- [Northeast] Sustainable Frogotropolis | Maya W and Silvie L | The Computer School | NYC, NY
- [South] Our Lonely Speck | Felicia Y | Enloe High School | Raleigh, NC
- [Midwest] Port Pickup | Drew O and Logan L | Utica Center for Science and Industry | Macomb, MI
- [West] The Hand of President | Ben K and Brandon D | Geffen Academy at UCLA | Los Angeles, CA
NATIONAL CHAMPION
- Port Pickup | Drew O and Logan L | Utica Center for Science and Industry | Macomb, MI
The G4C Student Challenge, which was recognized with a Classy Award for Social Innovation this year, is generously funded by General Motors, Riot Games, Take-Two Interactive, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, Verizon, Unity, Bigglesworth Family Foundation, Best Buy Foundation, The Grable Foundation, and Motorola Solutions Foundation. City-based programs are supported by leading educational and community-based organizations, including Two Bit Circus Foundation, Cxmmunity, CMU ETC, and Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD).