AT&T and RIT host ROCtheChange Game Jam

Andrea Deckert//January 18, 2022//

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More than 70 local public-school students in grades 8-12 attended the AT&T & RIT ROCtheChange Game Jam this past Saturday hosted by the School of Interactive Games and Media at RIT.

More than 70 local students in grades 8-12 attended the AT&T & RIT ROCtheChange Game Jam this past Saturday at RIT. Photo provided

The daylong event was born out of a desire from the partners to expand digital literacy skills, computer coding and game development opportunities for Rochester-area students, especially those from underrepresented schools and communities and to encourage them to consider the technology industry.

The event challenged the students to develop functional digital video games that have an overarching theme of social change and social and civic good in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s lasting mark on America.

The students were charged with incorporating ideas of social change into the themes and actions of the digital video games from the following topics: Go Green, Stand Up, Speak Up, Equality for all and Mental Health Awareness/Support.

The free event was made possible by financial support and event management collaboration from AT&T as part of the company’s recently announced $2 billion nationwide commitment to help bridge the digital divide and homework gap.

Organizers said the event provided students with a hands-on experience and exposes them to the rapidly growing game industry across the Greater Rochester region and New York.

“The AT&T & RIT ROCtheChange Game Jam is an innovative collaboration that builds a bridge to the future for Rochester’s youth and provides them with the digital literacy that is necessary for success,” said Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, in a statement. “We know that Rochester’s students have the capability of carrying on Rochester’s legacy of leadership in technology and innovation.”

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