Games for Change 2023-24 Game Design Challenge to Focus on Solutions to Climate Change

Game design program and competition organization Games for Change (G4C) has announced its 2023-24 Student Challenge for middle and high school students, focusing on social impact game design. The theme this year is solutions to climate change to promote "greener communities, healthy oceans, and eco-friendly fashion," the organization said.

For the first time, international as well as U.S. students aged 10 to 18 are welcome to submit. Also new this year, the Challenge will accept analog tabletop game submissions to expand accessibility for those who do not have broadband services or coding experience.

Educators can access free professional development resources now to teach students how to design games and learn collaboration, communication, coding, and computational thinking skills.

The competition opens in the beginning of January 2024 and closes in early April. Workshops for students by industry experts will also be held from mid-January to early April. Competition judging will be held from early April to mid-May, and finalists will be notified in the first half of May. An awards ceremony will be held toward the end of May.

"Competition winners will receive a $10,000 scholarship, and other winners receive prizes including technology, video games, and opportunities with leading game companies," the organization said.

Specific resources for each kind of submission include:

  • EcoRise, building stronger and greener communities by inspiring players to overcome a local sustainability challenge. Waste management, urban planning, or community action are some ideas.
  • OceanWise, ideas for cleaning up the oceans.
  • Recycle the Runway, incorporating ecologically responsible fashion choices.

For more information, visit the Games for Change Student Challenge page, and click on the Arcade link to view and play past winners' game projects.

"Youth bring unique perspectives and new ideas to solving climate challenges," said Kristi Hibler-Luton, senior director of school programs at EcoRise. "Youth activism continues to be at the forefront of climate advocacy, and we are excited to support students to harness their creativity to educate their communities about climate challenges and solutions through play and gamification."

About the Author

Kate Lucariello is a former newspaper editor, EAST Lab high school teacher and college English teacher.

Featured

  • open book with glowing AI-generated text, images, and diagrams

    AI Can Help Educators Avoid the Mistakes of the Past or Repeat Them

    Generative AI is already shaping the future of education, but its true potential is only beginning to unfold.

  • three main icons—a cloud, a user profile, and a padlock—connected by circuit lines on a blue abstract background

    Identity Has Become a Critical Security Perimeter for Cloud Services

    A new threat landscape report from Fortinet points to new cloud vulnerabilities. According to the company's 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report, while misconfigured cloud storage buckets were once a prime vector for cybersecurity exploits, other cloud missteps are gaining focus.

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.

  • glowing digital brain made of blue circuitry hovers above multiple stylized clouds of interconnected network nodes against a dark, futuristic background

    Report: 85% of Organizations Are Leveraging AI

    Eighty-five percent of organizations today are utilizing some form of AI, according to the latest State of AI in the Cloud 2025 report from Wiz. While AI's role in innovation and disruption continues to expand, security vulnerabilities and governance challenges remain pressing concerns.