Arcade games are a fun way to challenge yourself and play games with friends but they can also be a lesson in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Birchwood Intermediate School held its STEAM Arcade the week after winter break, showcasing arcade games made by the students in Ms. King and Mr. Williams’ fifth grade class.

Over the winter break, the teachers wanted their students to continue to use their critical thinking skills while they weren’t in the classroom. They asked the children to create an arcade game out of mostly repurposed materials such as cardboard, cans, plastic or paper cups and straws. The students also had to give their game a title and write out instructions on how to play their game. “They're using all those STEAM skills basically with math, science, engineering, building the project, what the angles are, figuring out what the point system is, and then the analytics of all of it. Even English because we had them write out the directions,’ explained Mr. Williams.

The week after winter break the students were able to bring all their finished games into The Commons, which is Birchwood’s all-purpose room, and let their classmates and some faculty members play the games. There were contests of all types and sizes - basketball, skeeball, pongball, slingball and fishing games; foosball games made with clothespins; Plinko; and even a  grabber claw game!  

This is the third year for the STEAM Arcade project. Mr. Williams and Ms. King say both the teachers and the kids love it! “We love project-based learning because the ownership that [the students] take and then run with is where you see the true creativity in their minds. They love it because it's game-based. It's something they created. And they get to play with their friends,” said Mr. Williams.