The new Gamestar Club at Fairmount School, based on Scholastic’s Gamestar Mechanic curriculum, hosted its first-ever Gamer Fair after school on November 14 and 15.

Nearly two dozen fourth- through sixth-grade students participated in the Gamestar Club, during which they used the Gamestar curriculum to learn about video game design, create their own video games, playtest other game makers’ games, rate them, and provide feedback. The club used the Gamestar Mechanic curriculum designed by Scholastic.

Parents, staff and students who stop by the Fairmount Gamer Fair had the opportunity to officially playtest the fun and challenging games the students have created. This was followed by a reception for the game creators, their families, and all attendees.

"Students in our Gamestar Club worked very hard, learning about game design and creating some games of their own,” said Fairmount LRC Director Kelly Farrow. “This gave them a chance to show off a bit and share their work.”

Games on display at the Gamer Fair included The Amazing Race, Pumpkin Smash, and Underwater Adventure.

Sixth-grader Nathan Sydello said he enjoyed having the opportunity to design his own game, which was called “A Little Like Pac-Man.” Players had to try to work their way through a maze, collect coins, outrun other players, and defeat “the boss” at the end.

Fifth-grader Latonne Gray said he liked getting to decide things like where to put coins and bricks. His game, “Live or Die,” was “mostly a jumping game.”

Fifth-grader Grace Curry said she liked the variety of game types participants could choose to create. Their game could feature role-playing, an adventure, even challenges to navigate. Her game, “Day and Night,” featured different courses for players to traverse.