Por Redaccion 
This initiative emerged last year as a way to apply the knowledge acquired in the Robotics subject, where programming is learned through languages like Scratch.
The Nuestra Señora del Carmen Cultural Center (Former Sugar Factory of Torre del Mar) will host the second edition of the MZ School Games Jam on Wednesday, April 23rd. This educational and technological event will involve more than 75 students from five high schools in the Axarquía region. Organized by IES María Zambrano, the goal is to promote programming learning through the creation of video games during a full school day.
The event presentation was attended by Vélez-Málaga City Councilor David Segura, Ana Peguero, director of IES María Zambrano, and Pablo Solano, a teacher at the center and the promoter of this initiative.
During his speech, David Segura emphasized «the involvement of the Deputy Mayor’s Office and the New Technologies area to make an event that not only doubles participation compared to the previous year but also highlights the talent and creativity of students in an open and collaborative space like the Sugar Factory.»
Pablo Solano explained that this initiative arose last year as a way to apply the knowledge acquired in the Robotics subject, where programming is learned through languages like Scratch. «The idea was simple: dedicate a full school day to creating a video game in class. We proposed it during the school’s cultural week, and the experience was so positive that we decided to open it to more schools and give it more visibility,» said the teacher.
In this edition, students from IES Almenara, IES Trayamar, IES Miraya del Mar, IES Margarita Salas, and IES María Zambrano are participating. In addition to the actively competing teams, other students from the center have contributed to the event’s development by creating the official logo and poster, as part of the Commerce and Baccalaureate cycle.
The II MZ School Games Jam will also have the collaboration of the Higher School of Video Games and Digital Art of Málaga (EVAD), which will provide prizes, technical assistance, and participate in the jury, alongside teachers from the institute. The event is also made possible thanks to the support of local companies such as Ópticas Fausto, Bebidas Lozano, Fisiomar, Toldos Segura, Papelerías La Lonja, and Almacenes La Lonja, who have contributed to ensure that all participants receive a commemorative t-shirt.
Ana Peguero, director of IES María Zambrano, emphasized that «activities like this promote not only learning but also teamwork, creativity, and enthusiasm for technology.» She thanked the entire teaching staff, especially the Technology department, which has been instrumental in organizing the event.
With initiatives like this, Torre del Mar establishes itself as a benchmark in promoting new technologies in the educational field and creating spaces where students can learn in a practical, playful, and collaborative way.