Game On by Urban Arts is a complete College Board–endorsed AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) course that includes comprehensive teacher training and ready-to-use curriculum. Students engage as creators, not consumers, building original games with custom art, music, coding, and storytelling while preparing for the AP CSP exam.
Game On by Urban Arts provides the tools and guidance to help teachers confidently integrate game development and positively impact students in computer science classrooms. Designed for high school educators teaching AP CSP, this program is accessible to teachers from a wide range of backgrounds—ranging from experts to those brand-new to CS or Unity.
100% of educators reported increased confidence teaching CS through game design!
In Game On by Urban Arts, students become video game developers—designing, coding, and building playable games using Unity and C# while mastering AP CSP concepts. Through hands-on projects, students develop computational thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills in an authentic, collaborative environment. Students create game trailers and portfolio-ready artifacts that can be used for college applications, internships, and career pathways.
✓ Complete College Board–endorsed AP CSP curriculum (108+ ready-to-use hours)
✓ 40+ hours of teacher PD and ongoing coaching (extra support for Unity newcomers)
✓ Classroom-ready lessons, slides, curriculum map, and student resources
✓ High student engagement built into every project-based unit
Game On by Urban Arts brings computer science to life through the exciting world of game development while ensuring students are fully prepared for the AP CSP exam.
✓ Students design, develop, and code their own interactive games, applying core AP CSP concepts in real-world contexts.
✓ The curriculum fosters problem-solving, time management, and computational thinking—essential skills for both CS careers and creative industries.
✓ At the end of each unit, students apply their learning to create unique, interactive games, reinforcing coding principles through C# in Unity and Visual Studio.
Developed through a U.S. Department of Education EIR grant with external researchers WestEd, Game On by Urban Arts has been validated across four studies (2022–2025), showing:
✓ High student engagement, especially among underrepresented students
✓ Improved CS understanding through game design driven learning
✓ Early evidence of improved outcomes vs. traditional AP CSP courses for students
A national impact study is underway in 2025–2026, with results expected in 2027.
Urban Arts brings 30+ years of experience in creative-technology education. We provide opportunities to learn from partners across industries. This program is supported by Unity, Google, Hasbro, and the U.S. Department of Education.
Game On by Urban Arts can be offered as:
✓ A yearlong or semester-long AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) course
✓ A Computer Science or CTE elective with an AP CSP option
✓ A course integrated within IT, Game Design, or Media pathways
✓ An after-school or summer program
Schools interested in tailoring Game On to their unique context are encouraged to contact the Urban Arts team to discuss implementation options.
Technology requirements include
✓ Unity-compatible computers (Windows or Mac)
✓ Teacher completes training program
Interested in bringing Game On by Urban Arts to your school? Reach out to our team at schools@urbanarts.org to learn more!
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