BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students at Drakes Creek Middle School got help from professional tech gurus as they learned to create their own video games.

What You Need To Know

  • Drakes Creek Middle School students spent the day learning to create their own video games 

  • They got help from tech gurus, who taught them a code language known as Python 

  • A software company said nearly three-quarters of students surveyed believe that learning to code will lead to better job opportunities

“They’re having to think ahead, problem-solve, create and then write the code to make it happen," said Stacey Rose, Drakes Creek Middle School teacher. 

The students learned through a code language known as Python. Khalil Garmon, a professional technologist who has founded his own AI-powered financial literacy app, Moneybot, helped teach them. He said learning to code is pivotal in today’s society.

KX, a software company that specializes in data management and analytics, said 74% of students surveyed believe that learning to code will lead to better job opportunities.

“It’s prevalent," Garmon said. "These phones that we have in our pocket, they’re increasing, they’re getting more powerful, so us understanding what is going on is getting more important.”

Rose said this type of hands-on learning, also known as problem-based learning, stimulates the brain to help students be more creative.

“Instead of writing, memorization or how to mimic something, they are problem-solving, and that’s a higher level of thinking," Rose said. 

Creating complex codes, however, is no easy task. 

“Going from creating your first statement, to creating your game, is really fast," Garmon said. "But, hey, they’re doing it.”

There are 55 students participating in the class, who will continue to work on coding until the end of next week.

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