A federally funded program teaches students emerging technologies by building their own games—and the research is starting to back it up.
KEY IDEAS
Game On by Urban Arts is a year-long AP Computer Science course that teaches students to code by designing their own video games, combining industry tools like Unity with project-based learning. Developed through a multi-year, research-driven process with WestEd, the program was continuously refined using real classroom feedback from teachers and students across diverse schools. Findings consistently show strong student engagement, high-quality teacher support, and growing evidence that students build core computer science skills through game design. While challenges like school technology infrastructure remain, the curriculum, training, and materials are now considered ready for broader implementation. With a large-scale impact study underway, Game On By Urban Arts is positioned as a scalable, engaging approach to expanding access to high-quality computer science education.
ENGAGEMENT
A defining strength of Game On by Urban Arts is its ability to deeply engage students by putting them in the role of creators, not just learners and not just consumers. Across multiple studies, students showed high levels of motivation, persistence, and investment as they built their own games—often going beyond basic requirements to experiment and problem-solve. The program’s “replicate, modify, create” approach helps beginners build confidence quickly while still challenging more advanced learners, making it effective across a wide range of skill levels. Teachers consistently reported that students were more excited and focused compared to traditional computer science classes, with game design providing a meaningful, hands-on context for learning complex concepts like loops, algorithms, and conditionals.
READ OUR WHITE PAPER
Game On by Urban Arts represents a new model for computer science education—one that blends rigorous academics with the creativity and engagement of game design. Backed by a multi-year U.S. Department of Education grant and independently evaluated by WestEd, the program was built through continuous real-world testing in classrooms, not in theory. Students learn AP Computer Science Principles by designing and coding their own games using Unity, gaining both technical skills and creative confidence. Across six phases of research, Game On By Urban Arts evolved from an early prototype into a classroom-ready course, with strong evidence of usability, high-quality teacher training, and consistent student engagement. Early findings show students successfully grasp core coding concepts while teachers report that the curriculum is clear, adaptable, and more engaging than traditional approaches.
What makes this work especially compelling is its clear trajectory—from idea to scalable solution. Each study contributed to refining curriculum design, improving teacher supports, and validating feasibility across diverse school settings. Teachers rated their experience highly, professional learning scored exceptionally well, and students demonstrated meaningful progress in key computer science areas. Even challenges, like school technology infrastructure, have been identified and addressed as part of the program’s growth. Now, with a large-scale impact study underway across 23 schools, Game On By Urban Arts is on the cusp of proving not just that it works—but that it can expand access to high-quality, engaging computer science education at scale. The full paper offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful research, iteration, and classroom insight can turn an innovative idea into a proven pathway for student success.
