Matter Quest

Tim Saunders has integrated gameful learning in his classroom for 10+ years by way of creating scenarios that involve collaborative problems, digital and physical tools, and character role play. Saunders wanted his students to discover playful attitudes, further explore curiosities and wonderings, and experiment with different selves and ways of being in science. To do this Saunders created Matter Quest by combining Common Core and Michigan Grade Level Content Standards to each unit in science. To engage in states of matter, students were put into guilds/groups where they had to help Creepor, the antagonist in Matter Quest. Creepor serves as an intergalactic messenger proclaiming a planetary invasion of Earth. Students had to work alongside Creepor as he abducted their grades.

Students formed groups and had to advance through the 12 levels that involved experiments and explorations centred around the states of matter. When each group member showed proficiency in the task, they were able to advance on to the next level. Saunders served as a facilitator helping various groups and individual members in the learning. Reflecting on the experience Saunders states that he had hoped students would offer more robust means of inquiry and began wondering if Matter Quest was a game at all. Once it was played, there was no reason for students to play it again. He collaborated with his supportive administrator and designed a new game called Intergalactic Jury that you can read more about here.

Example 1: The Ward Game
Example 2: Matter Quest