Creating Computer Games at Raub Middle School

Our AmeriCorps Vista Volunteer Nyasia interviewed 6th grader Mikalah, a United Way Community School student learning to create her own computer game. Mikalah participates in Space for Playing Technology (SPoT), a program provided through United Way's partner Davinci Science Center. 

Mikalah B, 11
Favorite Book: Walk Two Moons

Raub Middle School is one of 14 United Way Community Schools in the Lehigh Valley that serves over 800 students in the Allentown School District.  

Mikalah is a 6th grader attending Davinci Science Center’s, Space for Playing on Technology (SPoT) a program partially funded at the school by United Way. The SPoT program teaches middle school students about computer coding and allows them to create their own computer game/app by the end of 7 weeks. One of the great things about SPoT is that the students in the program are mentored by The STEM Valley Mentoring Coalition. The mentors help guide the students with their video game projects, while sharing with the students their own STEM background or career. 

When I spoke with Mikalah she described SPoT as a fun opportunity, “for people who like video games it’s cool because you get to actually make your own game, instead of just playing one.” Mikalah herself was in the final stages of completing her pc game and would have to present it at a showcase at the end of the program. The game Mikalah created has a concept that is probably familiar to many. Essentially, the player has to catch falling objects to receive points and win. Although playing the game is probably simple, creating it is no easy task. Mikalah explained that the hardest part was learning how to program the game to make sure all the pieces worked together. 

The students in SPoT learn how to use ClickTeam Fusion, a game and software editing system. The students had a lot of different functions available to them in this program which at times may have made things a bit challenging. Filtering through all the ClickTeam Fusion functions requires patience as well as attention to detail.

 As her parting words in the interview, Mikalah wanted to give her thanks - “I  wanted to say thank you to them [Davinci Science Center] for giving me the opportunity to create my own game.”

 Good luck on your showcase, Mikalah!