Gaming is a new elective class this year.

Students in the class learn coding and do projects, in addition to playing video games that teach skills.

“You are doing some research on games, you are creating a board game,” said teacher Mr. Jeffrey Church.

Video games played in class include Rocket League and Terraria. The games cannot be violent, Mr. Church said.

“We don’t play games like that because they have a level that’s just not appropriate for school,” he said. “But we have a lot of games that I think meet the same skill level.

Students learn various skills through gaming, he said.

“You’re using your problem-solving skills,” he said. “You are trying to understand how you move your finger while also using your eyes to look at what you are doing or typing, and figuring out how to multitask with thinking your next move.”

Students use their laptops, and Mr. Church has worked with the district to get special permissions and software needed. Gaming counts as a computer credit.

“So if you don’t get your tech credit and Middle School or you don’t get it in web design, you can get it in here now,” he said.

Junior Logan Holbrook said he had some experience with gaming because his brother gave him a book on coding where he learned a language called Python. But taking this class has inspired him to join the Gaming Guild.

“Playing in the gaming class has opened my mind and it makes me want to do it more,” Logan  said.

Freshman Lillian Knapp said she decided to try the class even though she has no experience in coding or computers. 

“When the counselor brought it up, I just needed to try it out, and so far it has been a great experience,” she said.