Civics to STEM & Back Again

Globaloria's various knowledge communities allow for a virtually unlimited amount of choices for game design topics. However, in order to compete in this year's competitions, all entries must fit either into the Civics & News or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) knowledge communities. So, students participating in classes that are not specific to one of these knowledge areas must decide how their game idea can teach a Civics or STEM concept in order to qualify for the competition.

So the challenge becomes how to decide whether the game concept fits more with Civics or STEM. This decision doesn't need to be as complicated as you might think. Many game ideas can cross between these knowledge areas with ease. Below are five game ideas that are both Civics & STEM related, and could probably be connected to other knowledge communities as well.

Topic #1. Global Warming - The idea of global warming is an issue that has received much attention from the scientific community. However, it's potential ramifications and even discussion over its existence and/or origin have made it into political discussions and news headlines around the world. A game centered around global warming would most certainly be able to be connected to both Civics and STEM with now problems.

Topic #2. Space Exploration - Some of the top scientists in the world work for NASA, and we have all been inspired by sci-fi books, television shows and movies which have us wondering what is in store for us in the far reaches of space. However, this large of an endeavor requires the backing of national governments. And, should we be successful at reaching the stars, what kind of government would be set up to keep order in the new colonies? These ideas could require the player to examine current and past governmental structures and their successes and failures in order to make the best decisions.

Topic #3. Energy Efficiency - This is a topic that is rooted in STEM ideas. Whether we are talking about automobiles, homes, or large scale "smart grids", this topic is also hot in the news. Local, state, and federal governments are constantly discussing how to make our energy usage more efficient, and whether efficiency needs to mean sacrifice of quality of living. A great blend of Civic/News with STEM would be to create a game where the player's goal is to have the lowest level of energy consumption, while achieving a high quality of life.

Topic #4. Traffic planning - What? That sounds dumb. Well, actually, this could be a pretty cool simulation style puzzle game. The object could be to engineer traffic patterns that would allow for the smoothest flow, while at the same time encouraging commerce and trade. The learning benefits are obvious from both a Civics and STEM standpoint.

Topic #5. Nuclear Disarmament - This is a hot topic in the news right now with treaties being discussed right now between the US and Russia. A game with this topic could incorporate Civics and STEM by having two types of game play stages. One where the player is in the position of a leader negotiating the details of disarmament and another where the player makes scientific based decisions on how to dispose of or use the uranium and plutonium in weapons.

These are just examples of how STEM and Civics can cross paths in games. There are many more examples. Just check your news headlines to find your favorite topic!

Class Assignment 12/8/2010

Good Afternoon Globalorians!

If you are in my class, and you are reading this in 6th block on December 8th, 2010, then we must have actually had school today, and the substitute must have gotten my message to take you to Mr. Warfield's room.

Since our time online has been limited recently, I wanted to make sure you had a chance to update your blogs and wikis while I am absent.

1st - Compose a new blogpost in which you reflect on your progress with your paper prototype so far. Answer the following questions in detail:
* How many screens are shown in your paper prototype? What are they?
* Are all buttons/actions which will link to another screen shown clearly so that someone else who is play testing your prototype will clearly understand what they are trying to do? Are there any adjustments you think you might need to make in order for this to be complete.
* Are you satisfied that the prototype meets all of the requirements of the project as outlined in the wiki paper prototype assignment? What might you need to do to finalize your prototype?
* Are you looking forward to posting your prototype video and your video blog? Why or why not?

Once you have posted, read a classmate's blog post and comment on it.

2nd - Go to your wiki page. All of this year's project progress must be recorded on "Projects - Mr. Allder's 2010" section. Not the "Projects" section. If your progress is recorded in the wrong place, don't fret. Just make sure you are logged on, then open your "Projects" page and click the edit button. With the entire section open for editing, highlight and copy EVERYTHING from this page. Then open your "Projects - Mr. Allder's 2010" page and click the edit button. With the entire section open for editing, highlight all of the text from this page then paste your material in it's place. NOTE TO NICK, ANDREW, and AMANDA: Projects from past years should be archived in the "Projects" page. Do not delete old material.

Be sure to update your Learning logs for today as well as last week's classes. See you Friday as we finish up and film our prototypes!

Bloggers-R-Us!

Good Morning Bloggers! Welcome to our lesson.



Since we do not have access to Flash today, we are going to use our time to become intimately familiar with our blogs! Today you have three assignments which need to be completed by the end of the period.

1. Review blogging tutorials on how to customize your blog to include links, photos, video, and more.

2. Complete 2 blog entries: using the following prompts
A. The Imagining Your Game Blog Prompt.
B. The Planning Your Game Blog Prompt. For this one, find a picture online that represents your game idea and display it in your post. Since most of you are working on individual games, discuss your strengths and weaknesses in flash, etc. How will you use your strengths to help others in class. How will you depend on others (both in class and online) to overcome your weaknesses in order to have a successful game?

Make sure in both posts that you are finding ways to include links, photos, and/or other rich media content.

3. Don't forget that part of blogging is to comment on other students' blogs. Go to the state map at www.myglife.org/usa/wv. Click on another school's link and find students' blogs in their user gallery. Comment on AT LEAST one other student's blog. Keep it positive and related to their topic. This is part of the blogging assignment and must be completed.

After you complete your assignments, make sure you update your learning log for the day.

Have a great blogging day!