TOWAMENCIN – Video games have always been popular among kids, the feeling of being able to come home on a Friday and immediately hop on your favorite game for the weekend was second to none. Mr. Ryan Kolb and the North Penn Engineering and Technology department have resurrected that childhood sensation, but this time in a school setting. 

This new course offered at North Penn is called Spatial Computing, and is proving to be a class  unique from most other courses offered at North Penn.

“For this course, it was hard to get started. We’re one of the only schools in the area that offers it because of the investment it takes to get the program up and running.“ Kolb explained. 

While many new courses require a textbook or two, this course relies heavily on modern technology. 

“There’s a lot of software, not to mention the level of computing power that you need for the processors and the graphics card to handle the programs and the software we’re using,” Kolb said. 

A big part of what is making this new venture possible if the support Kolb has had from the North Penn School District. 

“Luckily we had a grant and support from the North Penn Education Foundation, who helped us get the program up and running. I believe this is the fourth year that we have it, and now students can create programs using Unity Learn, to understand and practice the platform’s functions and start to develop their games and applications from that, “ Kolb explained. 

While this course does not require extensive programming experience, it certainly does help to bring to it a creative mind and a desire to enter the gaming design world.

“This class is great for anybody interested in creating applications, games, or programs; you don’t necessarily have to have programming or engineering design experience, although it’s helpful if you do, “ Kolb noted.  “But the main idea is that you just have creativity and a desire to be able to create unique games and platforms, and just to kind of expand your knowledge base in those areas.” 

Hassan Soliman is a one North Penn student who was drawn to this new course when he saw the opportunity. 

“Well, I have an interest in programming in general, I thought it was a good way to show my skills as well as enjoy making video games,” Soliman said. 

So far, Soliman is very happy with his choice to take the class.

“The classroom is pretty amazing, the PCs are great, and the up-and-down function of the tables is great for comfort,” Soliman reflected.