By Barrie Adleberg Manager, STEAM Learning Programs E-Line Media In the culmination of Computer Science Education Week, the Free Library of Philadelphia Maker Jawn program hosted this year’s National STEM Video Game Challenge kick-off game design workshop as the Hour of Code flagship event. In the afternoon of December 13, 16 youth in grades 5-11 from across the city gathered at the Lillian Marrero Branch of the Free Library with a shared curiosity, looking to explore what goes into making a video game. The workshop was made possible through the generous support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and other STEM Challenge partners and sponsors. The workshop introduced students to systems thinking by engaging them in the iterative process of storyboarding original games. Together, we deconstructed popular games and mapped elements of design to our examples with the understanding that games are systems. Participants were enthralled in the design process. While making their own physical, playable games, and play-testing the games made by their peers, deeper questions arose including, “What makes someone good at this game?” and “How does someone win this game?” Participants then took these questions into the digital space as they explored the self-paced play, modification, and design platform, Gamestar Mechanic. Our guest professional game designer of honor and Co-Founder of Artizens Inc. , Charles Amis, shared his personal story about how he became a game designer. The idea that careers in gaming are accessible was incredibly powerful. One participant told us, “This workshop has shown me how easy it is to jump into the video game design field/industry.” The STEM Challenge workshop series is on the road in full force! Interested in attending a game design workshop? To find out if we will be in a location near you, please check out the events calendar on www.stemchallenge.org. This website also offers resources for teachers and parents to support game design learning.