Building Systems from Scratch
SummarySTEM fields are constantly innovating with new computational tools to represent data about our natural world. Educational games in schools are already a success. Building Systems from Scratch goes a step further, working from the premise that when students build their own games, they construct knowledge at the same time.
With Building Systems from Scratch, 8th聽grade students design and build games to teach others about climate change. Three modules engage them with climate science, systems, game design principles, and computational thinking.
Students:
- participate in jigsaw learning to conduct independent research on climate science
- use principles of聽game design to design their educational games聽
- learn Scratch, an MIT-developed visual programming language
- program their games collaboratively
- engage in critique sessions that are art studio-inspired to deepen knowledge and improve game design.
Video
STEM fields are constantly innovating with new computational tools to represent data about our natural world. Educational games in schools are already a success. Building Systems from Scratch goes a step further, working from the premise that when students build their own games, they construct knowledge at the same time.
With Building Systems from Scratch, 8th聽grade students design and build games to teach others about climate change. Three modules engage them with climate science, systems, game design principles, and computational thinking.
Students:
- participate in jigsaw learning to conduct independent research on climate science
- use principles of聽game design to design their educational games聽
- learn Scratch, an MIT-developed visual programming language
- program their games collaboratively
- engage in critique sessions that are art studio-inspired to deepen knowledge and improve game design.
Content Areas:
Computational Thinking
Computer Science
Professional Development
Research / Evaluation
Science
Related People:
Gillian Puttick
Michael Cassidy