Essex fifth grade wins national eSpark game creation contest

Essex fifth graders in Vicki Hume’s class recently won a national online game creation contest through eSpark.
e Spark is a math and reading computer learning platform that serves 1.5 million students around the country. This is the second annual game competition sponsored by eSpark.
“In teams the students discussed some game ideas and submitted them to me.  Then I had them vote on the one idea that they felt was the best.  The Cupcake Bakery/Cupcake Shop was chosen unanimously,” explained Hume. “ From there as a whole class we discussed more specific details about the game ideas and submitted the idea via Google form to the eSpark company.  We all loved the idea and we hoped we had a chance to win.  
Just making the game together was a wonderful experience.  We all felt good when we sent it off.  We sent it off with a little cheer and we hoped that we would get chosen.”
After a couple of weeks, Hume said she was notified by the eSpark company that The Cupcake Bakery was one of three games chosen out of hundreds of entries around the country. The Cupcake Bakery utilizes addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It’s designed for students in first through fifth grade.
“The day that I told the students that they won was a magical day.  It was hard for me to keep it quiet.  I printed off the winning acknowledgement email and handed the all a copy.   I told them that when they opened the letter that their lives would be changed forever.  At first, I think they were stunned and did not know what to say or do.  I told them that it was okay to go a little crazy and be excited,” Hume said.
Hume and her class met with eSpark’s marketing director, and two game developers on Wednesday, Feb. 16, via zoom.  
“The students were excited to hear that they just loved their game idea, and that they were not going to change too many features from the original form.  They even asked the class for some input on a few things as well,” Hume said. “This was an amazing chance for students to learn about how something that they do daily works behind the scenes.  In addition, the kids were excited to learn about how they will take their idea and in a couple of months the game will be available for students around the country to play.  The company is going to send us a link of the game when it becomes available.”
The game will be launched in the spring. Hume’s students received  a certificate for being an eSpark game developer, an eSpark pencil, and one of the eSpark character pin’s to put on a backpack or jacket.  
“The prizes were not extravagant; however, the kids were rewarded in the honor of knowing that their cooperation and talents created something that many other students will enjoy.  The students can definitely be proud of this great accomplishment,” said Hume. “As a school we follow the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  This month’s focus is on Habit 6, Synergize.  Which is the habit of creativity, cooperation or teamwork.   The fifth grade class is a symbol of this habit.  By using their creativity and working together they did something that is a great accomplishment.