Randall Deich, STEM Coordinator | Lauderhill 6-12 School Board of Broward County Games, Social Impact, and Student Outcomes Developing games and web applications for social impact moves students from drills and assignments to authentic experiences that has led to community partnerships, internships, and employment opportunities. Lauderhill 6-12, a Title 1 combo school in Broward County is where students develop online tools and games that address relevant needs of neighborhood families and the local community. Student motivation, excitement, and engagement have improved knowing that their original ideas can help others and with investor support original ideas can come to fruition. Student work has been recognized by Entertainment Software Association (ESA), Oracle Technologies, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. Participants will hear and take away strategies on how to reduce obstacles, pilot programs, and build relationships in order to create a culture of creating through computer science. Participants will hear and take away strategies on how to take advantage of community resources, national events, non-profits and pipe them through a sieve of student interest and game development that results in a culture of games, apps, fun, and learning. Notes: Teaching in a Title 1 school has plenty of challenges for students and educators. The lives of our students address a glut of issues a lot more pressing than homework assignments; they have a lot more on their mind than common core standards. Having worked in Title 1 schools during my 26 years as an educator I believe in the power of creating and critical thinking through games, mobile apps, and web applications. By enabling and empowering students, I have been able to see the increase of motivation, engagement, and attendance. While this experience does not remove the weight of home issues, it does provide a source of ownership, accomplishment, and community. Participants will hear and take away strategies on how to reduce obstacles, pilot programs, and build relationships in order to create a culture of creating through computer science. Participants will hear and take away strategies on how to take advantage of community resources, national events, non-profits and pipe them through a sieve of student interest and game development that results in a culture of games, apps, fun, and learning. Presented by the Serious Play Conference seriousplayconf.com at Orlando, University of Central Florida, UCF, July 24-26, 2019

1. Games, Social
Impact, and Student
Outcomes
Randall Deich M.S.Ed.
Lauderhill 6-12 STEM-MED, Broward County
ReGenerate Tech, Chief Networking Officer

3. *U.S.BureauofLaborStatistics|https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
S.T.E.M. occupation
growth projected to be
faster than the average
for all occupations
(+557,100 new jobs).
Underrepresented Students = Future Game Developers/IT Employees
ProjectedU.S.ComputerScienceJobGrowth(%)
ProjectedU.S.TotalJobGrowth(%)
Why Games? Workforce Development
U.S. Job Openings: Projected (10) Year Average

4. Social Impact - Student Outcomes
Workshop Facilitation Employment Opportunities
National/Local RecognitionInternships Competitions
Conference Presentations

5. Washington, D.C.
Presenting Games to Congress.
Making a Difference

6. What happens when Games makes a difference?
Social Impact

7. What happens when Games make a difference?
Social Impact

8. What happens when Games make a difference?
THE OPPORTUNITY
Social Impact
Change in Culture
Change in Attitude
Change in Perception
from Students, Parents, Community

9. Learn to Code
Connect Students to Software Engineers

10. Learn to Code
Connect Students to Software Engineers

11. Feedback
Connect Students to Software Engineers

12. Feedback
Connect Students to Software Engineers

13. Fun and engaging
Browser based
Immediate start
Start with a Strong
Foundation

14. Integrated Development
Environment (IDE)
• Tools
• Code Editor
• Output (Immediate
Feedback)
Get this presentation: bit.ly link
Start with a Strong
Foundation

15. A Strong
Foundation:
Interdisciplinary Approach
Freedom from Failure

16. Thinking Process
Computational
Thinking
Analytical
Thinking
Logical Thinking

17. Entrepreneurship
Connect Students to Software Engineers

18. Entrepreneurship
Connect Students to Software Engineers

19. Game Jams
Working Alone VS Team

20. Game Jams
Working Alone VS Team

21. Game Jams
Working Alone VS Team

22. Game Jams
Working Alone VS Team

23. Game Jams
Working Alone VS Team

24. Game Jams
Working Alone VS Team

25. Game Jams
Working Alone VS Team

26. Game Jams
Engaged and Exhausted

28. Peer support is common
every lesson, every day.
When Game Development has a
Strong Foundation
Community support is common
every lesson, every day.

29. THE REGENERATE PROGRAM ROADMAP
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 4
Stage 3
S1: Game Theory, Programming Foundation
S2: Community Connections
S3: Industry Support
S4: Certification, Internships,
= Publishing/Entry Level Positions
Stage
Cycle4

30. EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The CS Program Outline.
• Middle School – Introduction to Computer Science
• Technology Mindset
• Intro to Programming
• Freshman - Introduction to corporate culture, customized CS curriculum
• Sophomore – Intermediate adoption of programming languages & concepts
• Junior – Advanced programming
• Senior - Industry certifications and internship opportunities

31. • Develop relevant computer science training
• Focus on underrepresented students whom otherwise might not have access
• Expose underrepresented students to IT Culture
• Provide a path to mentorship
• Transform the current industry
• Bridge the gap between school and workforce
What happens when Games make a Difference?
CS SOLUTION

32. • Strong relationship with families and businesses
• Qualified and available to fill entry level positions quickly and with ease
• Recruiting efforts more efficient and cost effective
• Remain current and up-to-date on emerging technologies
• Promote diversity (culturally and generationally)
…Everyone wins
What happens when Games make a difference?
THE OPPORTUNITY

33. A Program to promote a strong pipeline to job acquisition and retention
Meeting IT Needs
Customized curriculum for future and
current employees
Agile Project Management training to
underrepresented high school students
Employee mentoring & involvement via
community-based projects and
competitions
Focus on training and funneling of
underrepresented high school
students

34. Corporate Relationships: Games Make a Difference
Winner of Oracle’s 2017 North American
Volunteer Program Award
AmEx Programming
Mentorship
Program

35. Renewal / reinforcement
Emerging technologies & skills
Competent and qualified interns & new hires
Retrained and qualified legacy employees
Increased diversity in workforce
Corporate Relationships: When Games make a
difference the community benefits.

36. UNDERREPRESENTED
STUDENTS
FUTURE GAME DEVELOPERS and
INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYEES

37. Email rdeich@regeneratetech.org
Next Steps
Follow twitter.com/rdeich