Program Power Up!

Questions? Call 801.532.7500 or email programs@spyhop.org.

Design

Power Up!

Join a team of designers and programmers to create and publish a video game that explores a social issue.

15–19 AGE RANGE
Free COST
September 29, '26 – July 28, '27 DATE
Tuesday & Thursday, 4:00 PM–6:00 PM SCHEDULE
Capstone SKILL LEVEL
Room 207 LOCATION

In this 10-month program, you'll take your game from prototype to gold. Work on a team of designers, programmers, and producers to create a complete video game that explores a social, community, or global issue. This collaborative environment creates connection and community while also encouraging critical thinking about games, game production, representation, and the underlying messages they convey.


Utilizing industry-standard software, Unity Game Engine, you'll create unique video games and publish your work.


This program ends with a launch party, Pixel Gallery, where your game will be released to the world!


Gear + Software:

  • G-develop
  • Godot
  • Unity
  • Unreal
  • Flowlab
  • GameMaker
  • Procreate
  • Blender
Elizabeth Schulte

ELIZABETH SCHULTE

Lead Design Mentor

I am a traditionally trained artist who loves technology. My favorite mediums are 3D modeling, rigging, animating, figure drawing, special effects, 3D printing, video game design, toy making, and scientific illustrations.

I joined Spy Hop Productions in the Spring of 2014. I am passionate about youth development and knocking down barriers for youth to access digital media.

Outside of Spy Hop, I am the Education Coordinator for the Salt Lake chapter of the International Game Developers Association (igda.org), a board member for the Women+ in Game, Special Interest Group, and the Tech Advisor for the Guild of Natural Scientific Illustrators (gnsi.org). I am a freelance artist building Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality experiences.

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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

Our classes are designed for in-person participation. Limited remote attendance may be possible in certain circumstances. Availability depends on the class format and is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Absolutely! Many of our students self-identify as neurodivergent. We keep our classes small so that our students have the best experience possible, and our professional teaching artists can accommodate different kinds of learners and ensure special needs are met.
We keep all our classroom spaces an adult/parent-free zone (excluding staff) to ensure students feel free in their creative expression. If you'd like to see the building and learn more about Spy Hop, you can schedule a tour with our team outside of class time.
Sign up for our email list! We email updates about what's going on at Spy Hop, when new programs are available, and upcoming events.
There are lots of ways you can support Spy Hop: make a donation, attend an event, sign up for our emails, follow us on social media, or spread the word about Spy Hop. However you can give and show up for youth voice, just know that we're grateful you're a part of it all.
We've found that small program sizes give the best opportunity for creative learning and mentorship—because of this, most of our classes have a capacity of ten students.
Most of our in-house programs are for ages 12–19 years old. We occasionally offer programs or workshops for young people ages 19-25. We offer spring and summer camps for younger kids ages 8-12.
Pre-program check-ins are usually 15 minutes or less. They're an opportunity for students and our professional teaching artists to get to know one another, assess goals, talk through schedules, ask questions and feel ready for the program to start. Students don't need to bring anything but themselves.
Spy Hop has a small parking lot on the North side of our building and is first-come, first-served. You can enter this lot on 900 S between Spy Hop and Vertical Diner. 2-hour parking is available along 900 S. Street parking is available on 200 W and 300 W. Washington Street and Jefferson Street have limited public parking, with big sections of 2-hour only parking. Please pay close attention to signage to avoid a ticket! Paid parking is also available across the street, at Triangles bar. Limited parking passes are available for students: please visit the Lab for more information.
Currently enrolled students can checkout equipment for short-term use on projects. We do not offer equipment rentals to the general public. For more equipment information please see the Lab for more information, and check out our Gear Policy.