"Williams Innovators " High Tech Warriors

I recently took a tour of Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams summer camp "Williams Innovators",the program is designed to combat the math and science deficiency that plagues our American schools. The Williams program takes 6th graders to 12th graders on a journey from playing video games to inventing their own video games. I was awestruck by the determination and the proficiency of our young men and women in their work.

The below is the information from the "Williams For Texas" web site.

"William Innovators" is a summer camp that promotes young people's interest
in math and science through the teaching of designing computer games. Sponsored by Friends of Michael Williams, Be The Game, The Institute of Urban Game Design and the Today Foundation, “Williams Innovators” learn how to design a video game with an energy exploration theme.

The program started in Washington, D.C. and had fantastic results. The inaugural camp in Arlington, TX graduated 42 campers aged 10-18 years of age, in early July. Campers had fun, played games, and in the process, learned about math, science and technology. Williams hopes this will spur an interest in young people to go to college and study engineering, science and mathematics. More than half of Texas energy professionals are eligible to retire within the next ten years, many as early as five years. Texas needs a whole new generation of energy innovators. For more information, log on to http://www.BTheGame.com.



Here is what some of the campers from Arlington had to say:
"I thought that Be the Game was awesome and fun. I had a great time, and met new people. Be the Game was a great opportunity to learn a lot more about computers and a lot of other things. My favorite thing we did was to make our own game and when we made models going down an aisle I loved that part too! When I went home and told my dad about it and he was so happy because, he works at FedEx Kinko’s. So he works on computers and he rocks at that job. So he’s proud of me and I’m proud of him. We also got to go on the internet and play sonic, ping-pong, and other cool games. We were aloud to multitask, work on the computer and talk. The teacher’s were nice, helpful, funny, fun, and cool. Sadly I wasn’t here on the last day when they had a pizza party, but I heard it was fun." --Leah Chapple

"Be The Game was an educational, very fun and inspiring experience. My favorite part of the program was Mission Maker because we got to make and play our own games. I am so blessed to have participated in such an amazing program! We children had the opportunity to learn college work in three weeks. It usually takes most adults four to five years to learn about Be The Game. All in all, I am just ecstatic that Mr. Michael Williams chose Cornerstone Baptist Church to participate in Be The Game. I would love to be in Be The Game again because it was fun and I would like to have a career in computers!" --Kirsten Williams

"I liked Be The Game because I learned more about technology. I learned how to make video games. I also learned that u need rules for everything and that props and tools just don’t appear while you’re making your game. We went over Google Sketch-up, Alice, Maya, and Making Games 2. I thought Google Sketch-up and Alice were easy. With Making Games 2, I had to make a lot of rules and create a lot of procedures. Maya was very difficult for me because you constantly had to put things in different modes and faces. Then I had to remember to put things in key frames to make objects move.
"They gave us software (the ones we learned) at the end of the program, and I’m getting a lot better. If I do Computer Programming or Game Programming as a career, this will help me tremendously! Plus I think we’re the second group of people in America to try this program. They made the classes fun and the teachers were excellent. I was very lucky to do Be The Game. DON’T JUST PLAY THE GAME…… BE THE GAME!!" --Jillian German

"Be the Game is a great opportunity to learn and create character, and to make a 3-D game. It takes three people in college four to five years to learn what we did in three weeks. Also in the second week, we made the characters talk and move toward each other and walk. Be the Game has been very educational, and it was a great opportunity to learn about computers and new things in Maya and Alice. Sure there might be difficult the first time, but once you get the hang of it you’ll start to understand. I love Be the Game and I think other people would love it, too!!" --Teyonna White