Arcade Day brings code to life at Humphreys Middle School
CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA – On a mission to make computer science feel real, relevant, and ridiculously fun, students at Humphreys Middle School hosted their very first Arcade Day—a student-led showcase of original video games built entirely by middle school programmers.
Middle school programmers spent weeks learning core coding concepts and building their own original games using Code.org’s CS Discoveries curriculum. Their final challenge? Create a game they’d be proud to show off—and then actually show it off.
From side-scrolling adventures and platform puzzles to arcade-style survival games, students designed interactive experiences that blended logic, storytelling, creativity, and a lot of trial-and-error. But the best part? Watching the halls light up with energy as other students came to play.
During the event, advisory classes visited the cafeteria-turned-arcade to test out games and talk directly with the student developers behind them. Programmers stood by their creations, proudly explaining how their code worked, walking classmates through controls, and inviting everyone to “try mine next!” The room buzzed with excitement, collaboration, and curiosity.
For many students, it was the first time they’d ever presented a digital creation to a live audience. They weren’t just turning in assignments for a grade—they were sharing something they built with their own ideas, logic, and persistence. They answered questions, took feedback, and watched others experience the worlds they had imagined.
Arcade Day also served as a powerful reminder: when students are given the tools, time, and trust to explore, they level up in ways that go far beyond the screen. They build not just games—but confidence, communication skills, and creative momentum.
One thing’s for sure: the next generation of creators isn’t waiting for permission to build the future. They’re already doing it—one line of code at a time.
