Since 2020 I have work in a wide range of capacities with the Harlem Gallery of Science to work with other citywide organizations to develop and support Gaming Pathways, a new route for high school students in Harlem, Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx to pursue a bachelor’s degree in digital game design, preparing for future careers in New York City’s rapidly growing digital gaming industry.
It has been like assembling a Lego kit (or, rather, a collection of Minecraft blocks) as we’ve built each element in the Pathway and connected them to each other. Digital gaming courses. Free programming for high schools students. A B.S. degree at City College of New York. A pop-up exhibit.
This past season has been particularly eventful. Rather than try to summarize all the great news, I want to repost below the recent newsletter from Harlem Gallery of Science, that captured it perfectly:
HGS Newsletter: Building Momentum in 2025
As we reflect on the winter season at the Harlem Gallery of Science (HGS), we are proud to share the strides we’ve made, leveraging gaming to make STEM education, mentorship, and potential career paths accessible to students across New York City.
The Gaming Pathways team has continued to build out its programs providing pathways for a new generation of students to enter the digital gaming and related creative industries workforce. We are pleased to announce that New York State Department of Education has approved the B.S. in Digital Game Development at City College of New York. In addition to strengthening the pathway from high school to college, the City University has approved Urban Arts to offer approved courses through City College’s College Now program, in which high school students earn college credits toward their B.S. Degree in Digital Game Development.
In January the Harlem Gallery of Science (HGS) launched the Video Games Expo, a new program that brings a pop-up version of the Exhibition directly into schools. The Video Games Expo focuses on how youth use games to form connections with themselves, their communities, and their future. The exhibition includes video games, but it also features participatory activities, art stations, selfie opportunities, spotlights on contemporary game designers, and much more.
In March, the Unreleased Games Arcade returned for another successful year, allowing aspiring developers to showcase and refine their projects. Additionally, HGS was awarded grants from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and The NYS Council for the Arts, further supporting the Gallery’s efforts to integrate gaming and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education. Continue reading to explore the highlights from this season!
Bringing the Power of Video Games to Schools: Pop-Up Video Games Expo
This year, HGS and its collaborators launched an exciting initiative to bring the Video Games: The Great Connector exhibition directly into schools. Designed as a traveling pop-up experience, this program introduces middle and high school students in NYC to the educational and career-building potential of video games.
A collaboration with The City College of New York (CCNY), Urban Arts and the NYC Department of Education’s Battle of the Boroughs team, the pop-up expo is a hands-on event in which students and educators can explore free digital gaming resources that develop STEM, career, and life skills. A recruiter from CCNY was on-site to share insights into its upcoming B.S. in Digital Game Development along with details on college admissions and financial aid opportunities.
Over the course of January 1 through February 26, 2025, the Video Games Expo was pilot tested at a number of different school settings. The schools involved were:
- Eagle Academy for Young Men of Harlem.
- A.P. Randolph Campus High School
- Hostos Community College hosted students from 8 high schools in the NYS Higher Education Service Corporation’s NYGEAR UP Program.
Over 1,000 students and over two dozen teachers visited the Expo.
Additionally, a free educational guide—designed to complement the pop-up experience—is now available on the HGS website. Click here to access now!
By bringing gaming into the classroom, the Video Games Expo is helping students discover new pathways to learning, creativity, and future careers in NYC’s digital landscape. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue expanding this initiative!
Continued Support for HGS to Expand Video Game & STEAM Education from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and NYSCA
| Science and Arts Engagement New York (SAENY), a nonprofit 501(c)(3), partnered with The City College of New York (CCNY) to create the Harlem Gallery of Science (HGS)—a hub for programs that equip students with critical skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. Through collaborations with government agencies, nonprofits, and educational institutions, HGS works to prepare youth for success in the workforce. SAENY has been awarded a $35,235 Cultural Development Fund (CDF) grant from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and a $40,000 grant from the NYS Council for the Arts (NYSCA). This funding will support Video Games: The Great Connector, an initiative at the Harlem Gallery of Science that brings gaming and STEM education into schools. |
| The program introduces students, to career pathways in science, technology, and digital arts. By integrating gaming with hands-on learning, industry insights, and curriculum-aligned resources, SAENY aims to make STEM education more engaging and accessible. “This exhibition highlights the power of video games in shaping future careers,” said Dr. Stan Altman, President of SAENY. “It’s an opportunity to show students, parents, and teachers that gaming can lead to high-paying jobs and meaningful careers.”The DCLA grant to SAENY is part of the City’s largest-ever $59.3 million investment in cultural organizations, reinforcing New York’s role as a global leader in arts and innovation. |
