Evolving Gameplay With MakeyMakey Kits: Kids Play THEIR Way!
My students need 10 Makey Makey kits to create innovative ways to control STEM gaming experiences, which will aid in problem solving, teamwork, and scientific thinking.
Students of this generation do things a bit differently; their learning styles and interests change with popular culture and the technology at hand. My children play STEM-based games to improve problem solving and scientific thinking; but, how can they maintain interest- by CREATING the interface!
I teach sixth grade mathematics in a Virginia school district with a mix of suburban and rural areas.
With a total enrollment of about 1150, and a 6th grade of about 360, our faculty works hard to accommodate and engage such a diverse student body.
While I haven't met this year's students yet, my classes are always a mix of abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and personalities. And, as different as they can be, they are all similar with regard to their consumption and proficiency in technology. My focus last year was on the use of gameplay to propel problem solving and scientific thinking; now that I am comfortable with how I can model and develop a routine for this use of technology, I want to give my students another challenge- one that will increase their engagement, provide rigor, and will be FUN!
My Project
Nintendo, Sony, Xbox, Atari...they have one thing, among others, in common: a unique method of controlling their respective games. But, what if a person, or a child for that matter, could CREATE that controller? That is what a Makey Makey can do.
By using conductive objects and simple wiring, students can make unique controls by which games can be played. Whether it is a game previously-created, a video game, or even a game invented by a student, Makey Makey is a gateway to STEM engagement in fields of computer science, mathematics, engineering, and numerous other disciplines.
How many of my students want to come to class?
All of them.
How many of my students help their groupmates? All of them.
How many of my students experienced increases in problem-solving acuity and scientific method? All of them.
I want to continue to prove that engagement in STEM content makes for well-rounded students who not only retain knowledge, but can apply it in the future as STEM professionals.
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