Free Roblox Game Development Program Brings STEM Learning to Louisville Students
BrainSTEM University is launching a free, six-session Roblox Game Development after-school program designed to turn students’ interest in gaming into an opportunity to build, code, create, and explore careers in technology.
Beginning September 9, students will meet on Wednesdays from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the First Gethsemane Center for Family Development, 1221 First Gethsemane Avenue in Louisville. The program is offered at no cost to participating families, helping remove one of the most significant barriers to high-quality STEM enrichment: access.
Turning Screen Time Into Creation Time
For many young people, Roblox is already part of their world. BrainSTEM University’s goal is to help students move from simply playing technology to creating with it.
During the program, students will use Roblox Studio to design and develop their own obstacle-course—or “Obby”—game. Over six sessions, they will progress from learning the development environment to building a playable game they can showcase.
Students will learn to:
- Navigate Roblox Studio and understand the basics of game design
- Plan and build a 3D game environment
- Create platforms, obstacles, and interactive challenges
- Use spawn points, checkpoints, hazards, and other game mechanics
- Explore beginner Lua coding and scripting
- Test, troubleshoot, and improve their games
- Practice creativity, problem-solving, persistence, and computational thinking
- Complete and showcase a game they built themselves
The program is designed primarily for students in grades 4 and above, including students who may have never coded or developed a game before.
Expanding STEM Access in Louisville Neighborhoods
BrainSTEM University believes that talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t.
That is why programs like Roblox Game Development are intentionally offered within the communities we serve.
The First Gethsemane Center for Family Development is located in Louisville’s urban core and serves families from predominantly Black neighborhoods that have historically had fewer opportunities to access emerging technology education outside of school.
A student should not need to live in a particular ZIP code, attend a particular school, or have a family that can afford expensive technology camps to discover that they might be a talented programmer, engineer, designer, or entrepreneur.
By making the program free to families, BrainSTEM University and First Gethsemane are creating an accessible entry point into computer science and technology education.
Students don't need to arrive already seeing themselves as a “STEM kid.” Sometimes the first step is simply giving them something exciting enough to make them curious.
For this group, that something is Roblox.
STEM Education Is Also Community Development
The impact of after-school programming extends beyond the skills students learn during class.
The hours immediately following school are an important part of a young person's day. Consistent, structured after-school programs give students a safe place to go, trusted adults to learn from, positive relationships with peers, and something productive to look forward to each week.
Our goal is to make STEM programming part of a broader network of support surrounding young people.
When students are excited about what they are learning, that engagement can reinforce positive attitudes toward school and learning more generally. Projects such as game development also give students a reason to practice skills that transfer directly into the classroom—including mathematics, reading technical instructions, logical reasoning, communication, planning, and persistence.
A student who comes because they love Roblox may leave realizing they love coding.
A student who starts by building an obstacle course may discover an interest in game development, computer science, 3D design, engineering, animation, or entrepreneurship.
Those discoveries matter.
Creating Safe, Positive Places for Young People
Community safety is not only about responding to problems after they occur. It is also about creating more opportunities for young people to spend their time in environments where they are safe, challenged, supported, and connected.
High-quality after-school programming can be one piece of that larger strategy.
BrainSTEM University programs provide students with structured activities during out-of-school hours while connecting them with STEM Coaches and other adults who encourage their interests and ambitions.
We also want students to build something particularly important: a sense of belonging.
They should know there are places in their neighborhood where people expect them to succeed.
Connecting Students With First Gethsemane
Our partnership with First Gethsemane Center for Family Development makes this program especially meaningful.
Rather than asking families to travel across the city to find STEM opportunities, we can bring technology education directly into a trusted neighborhood institution.
For some students, Roblox Game Development may also be their first introduction to First Gethsemane and its broader community.
That creates an opportunity for the church and community center to become more than a place students associate only with Sunday services. It can also become a place where they learn, build friendships, develop new skills, meet mentors, and imagine their futures.
That connection strengthens the ecosystem surrounding a child: families, schools, churches, community organizations, mentors, and educational programs working together rather than separately.
Building Louisville's K–Career STEM Pipeline
Ultimately, learning Roblox is not the end goal.
Exposure is the beginning of a much longer pathway.
BrainSTEM University is working to build a K–Career STEM pipeline in which young people are introduced to technology early, have opportunities to develop increasingly advanced skills as they grow, connect those skills to real careers, and eventually gain access to internships, employment, entrepreneurship, and postsecondary opportunities.
Programs like Roblox Game Development provide an important first step.
We want students to leave saying:
“I didn't know I could make that.”
And eventually:
“I didn't know I could become that.”
Program Details
Roblox Game Development After-School Program
First Gethsemane Center for Family Development
1221 First Gethsemane Ave., Louisville, KY
Starts September 9, 2026
Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Grades 4+
Free for participating students
Students will progress from an introduction to Roblox Studio through game building, mechanics, beginner Lua coding, independent development, testing, and a final showcase.
For questions about BrainSTEM University programs, email info@brainstemu.com
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn't. Together, we're changing that.
