Learning in Motion:

A Day of Discovery Through Coding, Creativity, and Emerging Technology

CODE313 welcomed 50 enthusiastic scholars from Faxon Academy for an immersive STEAM Field Trip eXperience, a hands-on day designed to spark imagination, build confidence, and introduce students to the world of creation through technology. From game development to augmented reality design, scholars spent the day exploring tools that are shaping the future, all while discovering that they have the power to shape it too.

A Full Day of Creativity and Tech Exploration

The moment scholars walked into our space, their curiosity kicked in. They were ready to create, explore, and challenge themselves and we were ready to guide them through it.

To keep the energy high and the learning impactful, we split scholars into two groups, allowing them to rotate between two interactive tech classrooms. Each classroom focused on a different digital skillset, giving students a well-rounded, hands-on introduction to STEAM careers.

Classroom 1: Game Development & Coding with MakeCode Arcade

In our game development room, scholars learned the fundamentals of coding and game design using Microsoft MakeCode Arcade. This beginner-friendly platform allowed them to:

• Build game characters
• Design obstacles and worlds
• Program movement, scoring, and reactions
• Play-test their own creations

For many Faxon Academy scholars, this was their first time coding anything...and watching them go from unsure to confidently building their own games was powerful.

The room was filled with laughter, focus, and those classic “wait… I MADE that?!” moments that make teaching STEAM so rewarding.

Classroom 2: Augmented Reality & Digital Creativity

In the second classroom, students explored Augmented Reality (AR) the same technology behind social media filters and interactive digital art.

Using beginner-friendly AR tools, scholars created their own filters, experimenting with:

• Digital layering
• Face-tracking features
• Color effects
• Creative design choices

This station blended imagination with tech in a way that felt fun, expressive, and empowering. Many students said they’d never realized they could create something they usually only see online.

By the end of the session, scholars left with a new perspective on digital creativity and the real-world applications of AR in entertainment, design, communication, and marketing.

Impact That Extends Beyond the Field Trip

The goal of our STEAM Field Trip eXperiences is simple:

Expose students to tech early, show them what’s possible, and help them envision futures they may have never considered.

Faxon Academy’s scholars left energized, inspired, and curious, asking questions about coding careers, tech pathways, and how they can keep learning.

Moments like these are the heart of our mission at CODE313.

When students realize that technology isn’t just something they use, it’s something they can create that changes everything.

We’re grateful to the educators and leadership at Faxon Academy for trusting CODE313 with their scholars and their learning journey. Their excitement, creativity, and willingness to try new things made this field trip a memorable one.

We look forward to welcoming them back again and continuing to open doors for the next generation of creators and innovators.