Today’s kids love to play games on mobile devices. What better way to get kids engaged in creative, artistic, technology-based learning than to design an app and then sell it on iTunes as a fundraiser for the school?
That is just what South Junior High School did.
Bruce Klemz, a local college professor, loves to give back to the community. His own son attended South, and he appreciates the school immensely for the work and care of his son.
Klemz is a partner in DLALO Games (an African tribal word meaning “play games”) which was formed his with former college students. The students enjoyed the video design club they participated in so much that they approached Klemz, their advisor, to continue the work.
The goal of DLALO is to create educational software that makes learning fun.
This year, Klemz teamed up with Mark Tinsley, South’s art teacher, and Crystal Vorderbruggen, a music teacher at South, about designing a game using students’ artwork and music.
Students met with Tinsley and Klemz weekly to create the concept of the game, “Save My Dragon,” to define characters, determine music and create lists of artwork needed for backgrounds. After each component was finished, it was coded into the game.
Klemz says, “Writing a program is like cooking food. A lot of prep work, and then it all comes together.”
Students test each phase after completion to ensure that the difficulty level is just right. It needs to be challenging, but not too difficult that someone can’t reach the next level.
Sixth-grader Marianna Hollencamp helped with the villains and some of the backgrounds.
“I think the game is amazing with all of the drawings and everything done,” exclaims Hollenkamp.
Isabella Miller, a South sixth-grader, states, “It’s a great game for all different ages.”
DLALO was able to move “Save My Dragon” through the iTunes approval process fairly quickly. The game is now available on iTunes for purchase. One hundred percent of the net proceeds go back to South. 
The game is about a girl named Abby, who must collect five potions and as much treasure as she can to save her dragon. Abby must surpass and defeat the monsters chasing her to save her beloved dragon.
Both Klemz and the students are excited the game is complete and online. Klemz is also anxious to start on a new game next year with students. Stay tuned!
Watch the video!