Playing with Purpose: My 2-Year Journey with Games for Change

What happens when you hand a young person a game engine and ask them to solve a global crisis? You don't just get clever mechanics or high scores; you get empathy in action. You get an entirely new perspective on the world's most pressing challenges, built one line of code at a time.

For the past two consecutive years, I’ve had the distinct honor of serving as a juror for the Games for Change (G4C) Student Challenge. In my everyday work with Gibson EdTech Advising, I constantly engage with how gaming is a phenomenal catalyst for learning and career pathways. But sitting in the juror’s seat for G4C takes that belief to an entirely new level, showing exactly what happens when creative design thinking meets real-world global impact.

Gibson Play Testing

On May 28th, 2026, our global community celebrated the culmination of this incredible hard work at the 11th Annual G4C Student Challenge Awards Ceremony, hosted live on Twitch by Anjali Bhimani. Watching the community tune in to honor youth ages 10–25 was an unforgettable reminder of why contributing to this space is so vital.

The Power of Theme-Driven Design

This year, student participants from all around the world were challenged to collaborate and build completely original games centered on three critical global impact themes:

G4C Themes

• 🚗 Own the Road (Supported by General Motors)

• 🌾 Outgrow Hunger (Powered by World Food Program USA)

• 🐠 All in for Nature: Reefs & Rainforests (Supported by Playing for the Planet)

As a judge who looks at education through the lens of critical thinking and computer science, evaluating these submissions is both exciting and refreshing. Students aren't just trying to make something "fun"; they are tasked with unpacking complex global issues like supply chains, environmental degradation, and societal structures.

When a young developer builds a game mechanic that visually demonstrates how regional food systems fail, or how fragile marine ecosystems collapse under pollution, that is authentic, project-based learning at its finest. It is proof that computer science isn't just about where the semicolons go; it is a powerful toolkit for contributing to the world.

Why This Work Matters to Me

As an educator connected to scholastic esports, math, computer science, and game design, I live for the moments where instruction turns into exploration. Evaluating these games for two years running has solidified a few core beliefs:

1. Games Build Deep Empathy: It's one thing to read a textbook paragraph about climate change; it's another entirely to play through a simulation where your choices directly impact a digital rainforest. Games force players to step into someone else's shoes.

2. Youth Creativity is Limitless: The cleverness behind the character designs, UI layouts, and narrative arcs created by these young developers is staggering. They tackle massive, heavy problems with fresh, unbothered optimism.

3. It Takes a Village: A student doesn't become a game designer in a vacuum. It takes dedicated educators, parents, and industry mentors providing the space, tools, and encouragement to let them build.

Experience the Future of Gaming!

A massive congratulations to all the winners across the 10 award categories, and an equally huge thank you to every student, educator, and parent who put their heart into this competition.

If you missed the live celebration, you can catch the full recording right now on the G4C Learn YouTube channel. Even better, go play the games yourself! You can dive straight into the creativity of these young minds by visiting the Student Challenge Arcade. Trust me, you will walk away incredibly inspired by what the next generation is capable of creating.

Join the Conversation! 🚀

Have you ever played a game that completely changed your perspective on a real-world issue? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to subscribe for more updates on the intersection of edtech, gaming, and playful learning! 

Beyond the Classroom: Why Community STEM Events are the Secret to Sparking Lifelong Curiosity

What does real learning look like to you? Is it rows of desks and heavy textbooks? Or is it a room buzzing with laughter, a hands-on engineering challenge made of cardboard, and the wide-eyed wonder of a child watching technology come to life?

For me, learning has always been an adventure. What began in 2020 as a passion for expanding STEM opportunities during my time as a PSAYDN STEM Ambassador has grown into a lifelong mission. Over the past several years, serving as a NASEF Fellow, Mentor, Community Leader, and Remake Learning Days Ambassador, I’ve had a front-row seat to the magic that happens when we break down classroom walls and invite the community to explore together.

Being an ambassador means I don’t just attend these events; I live them, reflect on them, and advocate for them. Here is a look inside the unforgettable moments that remind me why we must keep building bridges between educational opportunities and the learners they are designed to serve.

When Technology Meets Playful Discovery

2025 Remake Learning Days Events!

One of my favorite memories was attending a family-friendly Remake Learning Days event at Fluxspace in Middletown with my daughter. The room was alive with exploration, from microscopes and claw machines to a Clear Touch smartboard and creative cardboard engineering.

Hosted by Morgan Buterbaugh, the evening wasn't just about trying out high-tech tools; it was about making technology approachable, tactile, and fun for all ages. Watching my daughter’s eyes light up as we tinkered side-by-side was a beautiful reminder that when learning feels like play, curiosity takes over naturally.

Science, Empathy, and the Real World

Learning should also connect us directly to the world around us. At the Go Green in the City event in Downtown York, I spent an afternoon with Environmental Science students from William Penn Senior High School.

I watched my youngest daughter dive headfirst into an oil-spill feather cleanup simulation. It was a powerful blend of scientific problem-solving and deep empathy. Moments like that prove that education belongs everywhere, in our streets, our parks, and in the hearts of students tackling real-world challenges.

The Journey Continues: Leveling Up and Coding the Future

The momentum didn't stop there. My experiences during the 2026 Remake Learning Days festival brought even more avenues for creative engagement, bringing gaming, esports, and industry experts directly to our learners.

I had the chance to bring my inquisitive youngest daughter out to explore Remake Days at Just Press Play. Partnering with the Pennsylvania Scholastic Esports League and IU13 EdTech Expert Keith Royer, it was an incredible day of play and purpose. We dove into Lorcana, tackled creative design challenges inside Minecraft, and explored hands-on STEM concepts with LEGO Education. It reinforced a core belief of mine: gaming isn't just recreation, it's a phenomenal catalyst for learning.

Building on that theme, I was able to engage my students in the Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 #FrAYEcosystem ProFile Webinar Talks. Guided by our phenomenal host, Abbey Hathaway, we connected students directly with industry professionals. We learned from a CNC Programmer at PCC who dropped a brilliant insight that, "passionate gamers make excellent CNC programmers and designers!" We also heard from an Environmental Specialist at Constellation Energy, who shared her vital work protecting our local waterways and wildlife.

2026 Remake Learning Days Events!

The Toolkit for the Future

When we amplify these moments, we do more than just fill a calendar; we build collective momentum. We give educators a space to share what’s working, and we help learners realize that STEM isn't just a subject you get graded on in school. It is a toolkit for thinking, gaming, creating, and contributing to the world.

The best part? These moments are just the beginning. I am incredibly excited for the next event, the next conversation, and the next spark of curiosity I get to witness, whether through robotics, environmental simulations, esports, or creative design thinking.

Join the Journey! 🚀

Whether you are an educator looking for fresh ideas, a parent wanting to ignite your child’s passions, or a student ready to build the future, there is a place for you in this community. What is a community learning experience that changed the way you look at education? Let me know in the comments below!

To see more live updates, photos, and insights from these incredible community events, check out my event reflections on LinkedIn:

Reflections on Remake Learning Days Central PA

Celebrating 10 Years of Remake Learning Days

Go Green in the City - TikTok Share Out

Don't forget to hit the Subscribe button so you never miss an update on the future of STEM and creative learning!

Comics in Math & CS Education

Teaching computer science and continually developing as a tech-centered educator, I am always looking for ways to teach students while incorporating my passions. I have been able to connect with students on gaming, and one other connection that is always on my radar is my passion for comic books. I have been an avid comic and pop culture enthusiast for much of my life. It started when I was 6 years old, with Saturday morning cartoons, watching X-Men: The Animated Series. After that, I became a devoted comic book collector and found enjoyment in reading different titles. In my personal collection, I have over 5,000 comics and graphic novels. Students can throw me off topic anytime they want because of my enthusiasm for superheroes and understanding of the comic book world. I’d say X-Men by Marvel Comics is my mainstay and favorite group of outcast superheroes. 

Using comics in education is nothing new, but it does still have a distinct flair. Comics have been created for everything from history and English, to financial Literacy and science.  I’ve been following and have been friends with Tim Smyth for several years now. His posts on Twitter (I’ll never call it X) inspired me to dive into more comics in my classroom as well. Tim is a middle school social studies teacher, a few hours away from me in Pennsylvania. He has a host of resources on his website, Teaching with Comics, that anyone would find valuable. In addition, he hosts a Facebook Group for like-minded educators and has written a book with lesson plans and how-to tutorials for making successful connections between learning and comic books. Mathematics is not an easy topic to find comic book references in, so after several years of comic book enthusiasm, I have only ever seen a handful of math-related comic titles. One comes from Practical Money Skills. They partnered with Marvel Comics to release 3 one-shot comics on personal finance, found here: Practical Money Skills Educational Comics.

Textbook by Tim Smyth, "Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels"

With computer science at the forefront of everyone’s career skillset, educators are on the lookout for ways to connect their students to engage with the content. Power On! by Jean J. Ryoo and Jane Margolis is written by computer science faculty at UCLA, and champions the ideas of inclusive, equitable learning of computer science. The story follows four teens in California, engaged in learning computer science and finding their way in the world. It is a very relatable and diverse story that helps all students find themselves as computer scientists. Read my Goodreads Review Here: Power On! Review

Comic by Jean J. Ryoo and Jane Margolis, "Power On!"

Another great set of books I found while at a local Comic-Con, written by JP. Jackson. In Growin’ in the Garden, JP shares a story about a set of twins in a futuristic society that explores the biomes and world around them. In the second comic, they are set to explore viruses, and can be purchased by the end of this year.

Comic by JP Jackson, "Growin' in the Garden"

Math and science are not exclusive to reading and writing, so finding engaging comics and opportunities to help students read is a cross-curricular approach to STEM learning. These examples are just a few of the ways I have incorporated comics into my math, and some could with their own science courses. I hope to build a library for students to engage in meaningful literature. My next goal is to create some lesson plans incorporating the characters of some of my favorite books. One such lesson in development is about how fast Quicksilver runs to save all the X-Men from an explosion in the last X-Men: Apocalypse film.

AI Supports Esports in Education

As an avid tech nerd, gaming enthusiast, and digital native, I have always been one to test new technologies, push the boundaries, and make sure students can see the uses of technology in their everyday lives. I used ChatGPT when it was first showcased, and had it create a list of reasons why scholastic esports were important to use in school. Gaming, computer science, and AI all blend nicely together in the world of education. Then, a few years later, I found that same prompt and prompted ChatGPT to update my prior request. It gave me two different options this time, and in much more of my own voice. Below are the two different prompts. Let me know in my social media polls which one works best!

Response 1: 

Why Esports Belongs in High Schools: An Instructional and Engagement Powerhouse

After nearly two decades in education—spanning classroom teaching, instructional leadership, and higher education support—I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of student engagement. One of the most impactful and often overlooked tools to reach today’s learners is esports. Whether students are competing at a high level or casually connecting in a club environment, esports offers high schools a dynamic platform for instruction, inclusion, and innovation.

A New Pathway for Engagement

Not every student connects with traditional extracurriculars. Esports offers a new, highly relevant option—one that speaks their language. As someone who’s built both a computer science pathway and a scholastic esports program from the ground up, I’ve seen students who struggled to find their place suddenly light up when handed a controller or asked to lead a strategy session.

Esports clubs provide an entry point that feels familiar and exciting. Students engage not only in gaming but also in teamwork, leadership, and communication. I’ve coached students who started off shy or academically disengaged and watched them grow into confident leaders, shoutcasters, analysts, and even aspiring coders.

Inclusive by Design

Unlike traditional sports, esports is inherently inclusive. It doesn’t discriminate by physical ability, gender identity, or socioeconomic background. I’ve seen students who might otherwise be sidelined become integral members of a thriving community. In our club spaces, students with IEPs, English language learners, and those from diverse backgrounds came together over shared goals and mutual respect.

Casual players are just as important as competitive ones. Whether they're helping moderate a Discord server, creating team logos, managing social media, or simply enjoying the community, there’s a role for every student.

Real-World Skills in Action

In my time as a NASEF Fellow, Mentor, and now Community Leader, I’ve helped other educators tap into the full educational potential of esports. When structured intentionally, these programs teach far more than gameplay. Students learn:

• Communication and Collaboration – Every match is a team effort. Students learn to give and receive feedback, resolve conflicts, and adapt strategies in real time.

• Digital Literacy and Tech Fluency – From streaming and shoutcasting to hardware troubleshooting and software configuration, esports cultivates essential 21st-century skills.

• Critical Thinking and Decision-Making – Strategy, adaptability, and analysis are core to gameplay—and all transferable to STEM fields and beyond.

And let’s be clear: esports isn’t “just gaming.” It’s broadcasting. It’s event planning. It’s graphic design. It’s business. It’s coding. In my time as Director of Secondary Services at Harrisburg University, I worked to align dual enrollment and workforce development programs with the kinds of real-world skills esports fosters. The career connections are already there—we just need to build the bridges.

A Culture of Belonging and Well-being

There’s also a social-emotional side to this work. Esports clubs give students a safe, welcoming space to be themselves. They form friendships, build community, and find a sense of purpose. During some of the most isolating moments of the pandemic, our esports program became a lifeline—students kept showing up not just for the games, but for each other.

Looking Forward

High schools should embrace esports not as an afterthought, but as a cornerstone of modern student engagement. When structured thoughtfully, these programs blend learning, community, and fun in ways that are hard to replicate elsewhere.

Whether you’re running a varsity program or just starting a casual club, esports is more than just an extracurricular—it's a future-ready, student-centered instructional tool. And it works.