Dalhousie's Faculty of Computer Science, SuperNOVA, and IGNITE Atlantic are excited to partner to host the 2027 Nova Scotia Youth Game Jam, a week-long celebration of creativity, technology, and game development for Nova Scotia high school students.
Open to students in Grades 9-12, this free event includes regional game development workshops across the province and a culminating Game Jam Competition at Dalhousie University.
Learn to Build a Game in a Day
From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, students are invited to attend a workshop in their region where they will learn the fundamentals of game development and create their own game in a single day.
This is a fantastic opportunity for both beginners and intermediate learners. Whether you are brand new to game development or already have some experience, you'll develop new skills while exploring programming, design, storytelling, art, and creative problem-solving.
Workshop Schedule
- Monday, March 8, 2027 – Yarmouth
- Tuesday, March 9, 2027 – Halifax
- Wednesday, March 10, 2027 – New Glasgow
- Thursday, March 11, 2027 – Sydney
Students are encouraged to attend the workshop closest to them.
2027 Nova Scotia Youth Game Jam Competition
Join us on Saturday, March 13, 2027, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Dalhousie University for the Nova Scotia Youth Game Jam Competition.
During the competition, students will work in teams of 2 to 4 participants to design and develop a game inspired by a theme revealed at the start of the event. Teams will have a limited amount of time to create their game before presenting it to a panel of judges.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams for their creativity, innovation, teamwork, and technical achievement.
Students are strongly encouraged to attend one of the regional workshops before the competition, but workshop attendance is not required to participate in the Game Jam.
What You Need to Know
-
Eligibility: Students in Grades 9-12
-
Cost: Free to attend
-
Team Size: 2-4 students
-
Competition Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 13
-
Lunch: Pizza lunch provided for all competition participants
-
Devices: Students are encouraged to bring their own laptop or device. A limited number of laptops will be available for students who are unable to bring one, on a first-come, first-served basis.
-
Software: Participants may create their games using any platform, game engine, or software they choose. No specific software is required.
Whether you're interested in coding, digital art, game design, music, storytelling, or simply trying something new, the Nova Scotia Youth Game Jam is a fun and welcoming opportunity to collaborate with other students and bring your ideas to life.
Questions?
For questions about the workshops or competition, please contact:
Amanda Johnson
amanda.johnson@dal.ca
