Games for Change
Barry Joseph from Global Kids coordinated eight teens (7 in person, one in TSL) to talk about their work at the Games for Change Conference at the New School University. making, modding, evaluating, and making movies out of games.
Brandon Pagan represented the Bronx River Art Center, and spoke on a panel with teens from Computer for Youth Global Kids Playing 4 Keeps & Virtual Video Project, and the Institute for Urban Game Design in Washington, D.C. Brandon spoke about the role/impact of games in his life, and how the ecoMedia program is using contemporary game engines to articulate environmental issues. Using a PowerPoint slide show that he and the Media Coordinator put together, he articulately shared the entire process of creating a game level in Unreal Tournament, including modeling 3D objects in Maya, using his own project as a reference.
The teens ranged in age from six grade to two who graduated just two days earlier (one as valedictorian). Each group presented for 5-8 minutes and then took questions from the audience, who consisted of about 150-plus educators, academics, techies and non-profit workers that instantly warmed to the panel.
Many people have contacted Barry since the conference, and told him how inspiring they felt the panel was.