Bringing Generative AI and Game Creation to the Classroom: Highlights from the NYC CS Fair
TapAI gave thousands of students hands-on access to remixable minigames, real-time leaderboards, and intuitive AI tools—here’s what we learned from their reactions.
We Brought TapAI to the NYC CS Fair—and It Was Awesome
This week, we brought TapAI, our generative AI gaming platform, to the NYC Computer Science Fair—and it was awesome. Thousands of students came through to explore emerging AI tools, and they loved the ability to remix and play games they could make themselves.
A Custom Game Just for the Fair
Leading up to the fair, we built a custom game and landing page called CS Fair Bounce to showcase the mechanics behind our minigames. It featured a quick play “pong-like” game and live leaderboard that updated in real-time.
Students loved the element of collective competition in addition to creative freedom. They gathered in groups both to support their friends high scores, and beat them and wanted to know how they could make their own game to play later.
Sharing Gen AI with Students
We set up two stations:
Gameplay Station – to play the custom CS Fair Bounce game and compete on the leaderboard
Remix Station – to explore the generative tools and build custom games
This dual experience gave students a full view of the creation process and the possibilities of gen AI tooling. And for many, it unlocked a creative confidence they hadn’t realized was within reach.
The ability to shape an experience—not just play it—was important. Students got more excited when they realized they too could build this and play with their friends anytime.
What We Heard from Educators
Everyone was asking the same core question: How can we teach AI in a way that will stick with students?
Our conversations with educators echoed a theme we hear often: it’s hard to find tools that empower students to create without requiring deep technical know-how.
TapAI’s “vibe coding” model—where logic, visuals, and gameplay come together using intuitive, no-code tools—resonated. Teachers were very interested in the idea of blending creativity with emerging tech in a way that’s accessible to kids.
Key Takeaways
Ownership matters. When students saw their names on the leaderboard—or customized their own game—they felt a real sense of pride.
No-code tools are critical. Lowering the barrier to entry lets more students start, which means more of them stick with it.
Remixing unlocks creativity. Students didn’t just want to play—they wanted to tweak, test, and show off their creations.
Educators want creative-first tools. There’s a hunger for ways to teach AI that don’t start with syntax but start with imagination.
Friendly competition is a good thing. The leaderboard sparked energy, curiosity, and a drive to do more.
The Bigger Picture
This was the first time we introduced TapAI to such a big, diverse audience—and it left us inspired. Watching kids build their game, play it, and share it with friends was the best validation we could ask for.
We’re building tools that bring people together, lower the barrier to entry, and make learning (and launching) feel natural, exciting, and joyful. And we're just getting started.
Educators: Are you curious about bringing AI creativity into your classroom? We’d love to run a demo or lead a workshop on the power of generative AI and game-building with students. Reach out to s@usetapestry.dev 🙂