KPTH FOX 44: Local News and Entertainment for Sioux City and Siouxland | Students Build Games After Bell Rings

Students Build Games After Bell Rings

SIOUX CITY, IA - Dozens of students at West Middle School in Sioux City are learning that video games aren't all fun and games. There's hours of hard work behind every minute of play. The school's after-school technology club is a home for the game designers of tomorrow.

Since October, West Middle has offered the after–school activity to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. In December, they started been tackling a task most kids their age wouldn't dream of: creating their own video games.

42 middle schoolers at West Middle stop by the computer lab to build games, not just play them. It's not just for the A–students. The club is a haven for anyone to shine.

"I'm going off the book, "The Hunger Games," said 8th grader, Laney Berke.

"There's like this robot. And he's like the King, but he like took over this world so the object is to kill him," said 8th grader Brandon Tague as he explained his game.

It's a chance to tackle technology outside of ordinary classroom assignments.

"It motivates me that I can actually learn how to design a game and that I can actually set it where I can't beat it myself," said Berke.

"This gives my techies a place where they fit in. There aren't normally clubs for kids who are into technology, but my club is that club," said Gwen Brewster, the club's director.

The teacher is learning herself while running a club.

"You have to kill every single enemy!" said one of the middle schoolers. 

"Oh I forgot about the shooting!" said Brewster.

As these students finish their gaming quest, Mrs. Brewster is planning a trip to Chicago.

"I think it would be a good learning experience cause if I want to do it in the future, I might know what to do and if I do, do it in the future, it won't be like frightening or anything," said Tague.

"That it would be fun getting to go to see all the museums and be with friends," said Berke.

In that room, there are no limits.

"It should be the goal of every educator cause it's the one place where it doesn't matter if on paper you have a learning disability or you have autism or you have a reading disability or a math disability. In here, you're a champion," said Brewster.

All of the club's students are invited to go to the Windy City July 16-20, but they want to raise $25,000 to have the dream experience. Students are already fundraising themselves and Brewster said she's looking for corporations to sponsor the trip.

If you'd like to be a sponsor or donate, e-mail brewstg@siouxcityschools.com or mail a check and note to Gwen Brewster at West Middle School 3301 W. 19th Street, Sioux City, IA 51103.