CodeWarriors STEM Game Jam - Glenwood#
Build a video game in two days#
📍 Sydney, Glenwood
📅 July 8–9, 2026
🕘 9:00am – 4:00pm each day
👩💻 Years 4–11
Students work in small teams to design and create a playable video game from scratch in just two days — combining coding, digital art, game design and creative storytelling, inspired by the theme “Oceans”.
The Glenwood program is designed for families across Glenwood, Kellyville, Parklea, Stanhope Gardens, Norwest and the wider Hills District. The event is designed for students who already have some experience with coding or digital creation and want to take the next step — building their own game ideas as part of a small team.
Games created during the jam can be developed and polished further and then entered in the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge, a national competition encouraging students to design original video games.
Participants may attend one day or both days, either in person or online. Students are encouraged to attend both days so their team has enough time to build and refine their game.
Morning tea and lunch are provided on both days.
What is a Game Jam?#
A game jam is a short creative event where small teams design and build a game around a theme.
At the CodeWarriors Game Jam, students will:
1️⃣ Form small teams
2️⃣ Explore game ideas inspired by the theme “Oceans”
3️⃣ Build a playable prototype using the Godot game engine
4️⃣ Test and play each other’s games
Mentors are available throughout the event to help teams solve technical problems and improve their designs.
Who this Game Jam is for?#
This event is ideal for students who:
- have previously attended a CodeWarriors camp, or
- have some experience with coding or digital creation, and
- enjoy solving problems and creating their own ideas.
Game teams often include a mix of roles such as coding, digital art, game design and testing. Students who enjoy illustration, sprite art, UI design or animation are also very welcome to participate and contribute their creative skills.
Because teams are building real games, the event is not designed for complete beginners.
How teams work#
Students typically work in teams of 2–3 participants.
Teams may:
- register together, or
- form during the event.
Each team usually chooses a Lead to help coordinate development, while other members contribute through coding, digital art, game design and gameplay testing.
This collaborative approach mirrors how real game development teams work.
Equipment#
Participants should bring:
- a laptop capable of running the Godot game engine
- charger and mouse
- headphones (recommended)
Students who previously purchased a Raspberry Pi 5 kit for a Code Camp are welcome to use it.
Loan devices are not available for this event.
- Please advise any dietary requirements during registration.
AI Tools#
Students may experiment with modern creative tools such as AI coding assistants or image generators during the Game Jam.
However, the goal of the event is for students to design and build their own original work. Teams are encouraged to create their own gameplay ideas, code and artwork assets wherever possible.
The Australian STEM Video Game Challenge also requires teams to clearly document any use of AI tools in their projects. During the Game Jam we will explain these guidelines and help teams understand how to use AI responsibly in creative work.
Event Format#
Students may join:
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | $80 |
| Day 2 | $80 |
| Both days | $150 |
Online participation is also available for students who wish to collaborate remotely with other participants.
Official Game Jam Page#
Projects and submissions will be hosted on our itch.io game jam page.
👉 View the CodeWarriors STEM game jam page
Optional development pathway#
Some teams may choose to continue developing their game after the jam.
Possible next steps include:
- continuing development and polish at home
- joining a CodeWarriors Game Foundry mentored group during a school term
- joining the Glenwood Game Jam to polish their game
Games may then be submitted to the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge.
⚠️ Entries to the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge must be submitted by early September. Please check the official site for the exact deadline.
Bungendore Game Jam#
This Game Jam is part of the CodeWarriors STEM Game Jam Series
A second CodeWarriors STEM Game Jam will be held during the same July school holidays in Bungendore (East Canberra).
Students are welcome to attend either event, or even both.
👉 Learn more about the Bungendore Game Jam
Register#
Spaces are limited to keep teams small and ensure mentors can support each group.
👉 Register for the Glenwood Game Jam
Looking for a beginner-friendly school holiday coding camp?#
View our Blue Mountains Code Camp in Lawson.
FAQ#
What is a Game Jam?
A game jam is a short creative event where small teams design and build a video game around a shared theme. During the CodeWarriors STEM Game Jam, students collaborate to design a game around a common theme, and build a playable game prototype in two days.
Does my child need coding experience?
The Game Jam is designed for students who already have some experience with coding or digital creation.
Many participants will have previously attended a CodeWarriors Code Camp, or have experience with platforms such as Python or the Godot game engine.
However, game teams often include a mix of roles such as coding, digital art and game design. Students who enjoy illustration, sprite art, animation or game design are also very welcome to participate and contribute their creative skills.
Do students work alone or in teams?
Students usually work in teams of 2–3 participants.
Teams may register for the Game Jam together, or students can form teams during the event. Working in teams allows students to combine coding, game design and creative ideas.
Can my child join with friends or form a team beforehand?
Yes. Students are welcome to register with friends and form a team in advance.
Most teams work best with 2–3 students, though some students may also work independently if they prefer.
Students who register individually will have the opportunity to form a team on day 1, and mentors will help ensure everyone finds a group where they feel comfortable contributing.
Teams may also include a mix of in-person and online participants, allowing friends to collaborate even if they are attending from different locations.
What software will students use?
Teams build their games using the Godot game engine, a modern open-source platform widely used for learning game development.
Students who have attended a CodeWarriors camp will already be familiar with this environment.
How does the Game Jam connect to the STEM Video Game Challenge?
The Game Jam is designed to help students start building a real project for the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge.
Students can submit their game to the national competition at the end of the 2-day Game Jam. It is expected that most teams will prefer to continue developing and polishing their game, and submit it for judging some time later, but before the deadline in early September.
During the Game Jam we will walk the teams through the submission process so that they are familiar with how to submit and competition requirements
Can my child join the Game Jam online? What will the online experience be like?
Yes. Students are welcome to participate remotely, and a reduced-price online attendance option is available.
We encourage students to attend in person where possible, as the experience is more immersive and makes team collaboration easier across the two days. However, we know that travel and schedules can sometimes make this difficult, and we want the Game Jam to be accessible to students across NSW and the ACT.
Students joining online remain connected to the Game Jam video call for most of the day. They will:
- watch and participate in all guided sessions
- collaborate with their team in breakout rooms
- receive support from mentors during development time
Teams can also be mixed, with some members attending in person and others joining remotely.
When registering, simply select Online attendance, or choose the Hybrid option if attending one day in person and one day online.
What happens after the Game Jam?
Some teams may choose to submit their game to the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge at the end of the two-day Game Jam.
However, many teams will continue developing and polishing their game after the event, and submit their project later, any time before the competition deadline in early September.
During the Game Jam we guide teams through the competition requirements and submission process, so they understand how to prepare their project for judging.
After the event, teams are welcome to contact us with questions as they continue refining their game and preparing their submission.
Students who want more structured support may also join a CodeWarriors Game Foundry mentoring group during the school term, where they can continue developing their project with guidance from mentors.
Further questions? contact us
