🎮 Kick Off the New Year with Exciting Opportunities in Game-Based Learning! ⭐

Welcome to the winter G4C Learn Newsletter! Kick off the new year by signing up for the spring season of the recently expanded Verizon Innovative Learning Esports League. This season includes exciting webinars and professional development opportunities. Participate in G4C and Global Game Jam’s upcoming Student Challenge jams. Explore the latest updates from the G4C Student Challenge, prepare your students to submit their projects, and discover much more! Keep reading for more updates, key dates, and resources. ⚡🎮
- G4C Learn Team

Start the new school year with exciting updates about the G4C 2024-2025 Student Challenge! We are excited to announce that college students and youth under 25 can now submit their digital games! This expansion allows the G4C Student Challenge to welcome young creators aged 10 to 25! Students in middle, high school, and beyond can showcase their creativity through digital, analog, or character design projects focused on impactful social themes:

• 🌱 Nurture Yourself with Nature supported by Earthwatch Europe

• 🥗 Outplay Hunger supported by the World Food Program 

• 🕊️ Peaceformers Challenge supported by Whitaker Peace Development Fund

By submitting a project, students have the chance to win a 10,000 scholarship from Take-Two Interactive, gain regional recognition, and more! 🎊 👾

🚨 The deadline to submit is April 18, 2025!

💻 Need help with submissions? Join the upcoming webinar "Getting Your Students to the Finish Line" on January 15 at 6 PM ET with Mary Elizabeth Pearson and Marissa Harts!

• Learn how to guide your students through the process of designing and submitting their games to the G4C Student Challenge competition portal. We’ll cover submission rules, game evaluation criteria, and more! Lock in Your Spot

Questions? Check out the Student Challenge Competition Guide for more information!

After an exciting fall season of the Verizon Innovative Learning Esports League, we are delighted to announce the upcoming spring season has expanded to include both middle and high school students. In partnership with Verizon Innovative Learning, this league will include professional development for team advisors, coaching for students, organized tournaments, and more supported by our COPPA-compliant esports partner, Vanta. Keep reading for key dates and information:

🏆 🎮 Esports League Information: 

• Season Dates: February 24 – May 16, 2025

• Match Schedule: Thursdays at 4 PM EST or 4 PM PST (based on your location)

• Eligibility: Open to US-based middle and high school students

• Game: Rocket League (free, team-based)

• Required Devices: Windows, macOS, or Linux computers; PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch. Note: Chromebooks or tablets are not supported.

• Flexible Options: Sign up for Camp Day and Play Day events throughout the spring!  

Register by clicking this link https://www.verizon.com/learning/esports and selecting “Play Now” in the top purple banner!

🧰 Mark Your Calendars For Upcoming Professional Development Sessions:

• Pre-Season Webinar: January 27, 5 PM EST: A broad overview of game-based learning, why sports, the benefits of scholastic esports, and how to join the league.

• Beginner Session: February 3, 4–6 PM EST: Explore the world of scholastic esports by walking through an interactive “Getting Started with Esports” checklist.

• Experienced Session: February 10, 4–6 PM EST: Continue building capacity with a deep dive into engaging your students and growing your program with the VILs league.

G4C has partnered with the Global Game Jam (GGJ) to expand the G4C Student Challenge game jams through GGJ Next, creating new opportunities for middle, high school, and university students worldwide. This partnership will enable game jams to be held globally, equipping students with critical STEAM skills such as critical thinking, coding, game design, and problem-solving. Through these game jams, young creators aged 10 to 25 will be empowered to transform their ideas into impactful and innovative solutions for a better world aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the power of play.

Key Info: 

• 📅 Jams will run through April 18, 2025

• 🧒 G4C-GGJ Next Student Jam: For Grades 5-12

• 🎓 G4C-GGJ University Jam: For university-aged students,18-25

• 💰 Scholarship Opportunity: Winning team will receive a $10,000 scholarship

• ✨ Accessible Format: Students can participate in flexible and accessible game jam formats designed to integrate into school and after-school activities.

Are you an international educator interested in leading a game jam at your school? Stipends are available for educators looking to set up GGJ Next sites at schools outside of the United States. Apply here.

G4C’s Game Plan is back! Game Plan is an eight-week program for educators, designed to integrate games and play into their teaching practice. Access tools, resources, and community support to transform your classrooms and programs. This spring, we are leading a cohort specifically designed for museum educators.  🎮 📚

Are you a museum educator looking for community, knowledge, and resources on how to integrate game-based learning into your museum’s programs? Sign Up for Game Plan Today!

It’s that time of the year again! We are calling on our global community of educators within the G4C community to share their unique insights, perspectives, experiences, or games at the 2025 Games for Change Festival in New York City this summer!

Whether you are an expert on using gaming in the classroom, teaching game-based pedagogy, or creating lesson plans that facilitate students as game design thinkers, and problem solvers, we want to hear from YOU! Submit your talk, panel discussion, topic table, or workshop proposal today.

Why Submit?
🎙️ Share your expertise on a global stage
👾 Elevate your work as a leader in game-based learning
🚀 Be a part of shaping the future of education, gaming, and social impact for a better tomorrow

📅 Deadline: January 31, 2025

As we wrap up this newsletter, make sure to save the dates for some informative upcoming events! 

Do you know educators who would be interested in bringing games and play with the professional support and community of G4C Learn? Share this newsletter with them!