STEM is a popular acronym. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are important foundation stones on which the Industrial Revolution expanded. But, education has to keep pace with changes in society. That is the key to ensuring all round progress.
With all the educational software around, it is difficult for parents to pick suitable games for kids. They need to be age appropriate and the content must be rich. When the School of Dragons game was launched I was skeptical about the whole thing. I mean dragons and science - how could that be a working combination? The Viking World was from an ancient time, so what was the point of teaching science in that time?
Well the School of Dragon world is from Viking times, but they do have a fun way to teach science. In fact they try to align the science quests to Next Generation Science Standards curriculum. They bring about a natural need to investigate a science topic. Over time the Viking world has been fleshed out with new worlds and islands, all set in olden times.
The whole School of Dragons games are designed around dragons as pets. The relationship is one of love and respect. Both the TV serial and the games enter the picture after dragons and people are friends. In this hugely successful MMORPG game, players get a dragon, which they play with and train. The fun of exploring with science games is something else. The excitement of getting a dragon and training itself is terrific, but then to go out together on quests is super exciting.
Teaching science is not easy. Through a quest, whenever the 'sciency' stuff is taught, it has to be crisp and short or kids skim over it. Characters have to be funny, or kids don't stay with the game. The quests have to be fun, adventurous and must teach without being preachy. A tall order indeed.
Here are three important characters from the game:
1. Phlegma the Botanist
She keeps an eye on the farm and helps young Vikings understand the living world.
2. Gobber the Belch
Gobber is a dragon slayer who has now turned into a trainer in the School of Dragons. He trains young Vikings in all things dragon.
3. Hiccup
He is the undisputed master in all things dragon in the Viking world. In fact he is the one who persuades his father who is the village chief to live peacefully with the dragons. He sets up the Dragon Training Academy, and is the last word on all things dragons.
Designing games which can hold he attention of young people is not easy. It is all the more difficult when science has to be taught and in a way which will fit the ancient world of Berk.
Berk's Vikings
Well the School of Dragon world is from Viking times, but they do have a fun way to teach science. In fact they try to align the science quests to Next Generation Science Standards curriculum. They bring about a natural need to investigate a science topic. Over time the Viking world has been fleshed out with new worlds and islands, all set in olden times.
The whole School of Dragons games are designed around dragons as pets. The relationship is one of love and respect. Both the TV serial and the games enter the picture after dragons and people are friends. In this hugely successful MMORPG game, players get a dragon, which they play with and train. The fun of exploring with science games is something else. The excitement of getting a dragon and training itself is terrific, but then to go out together on quests is super exciting.
Teaching science is not easy. Through a quest, whenever the 'sciency' stuff is taught, it has to be crisp and short or kids skim over it. Characters have to be funny, or kids don't stay with the game. The quests have to be fun, adventurous and must teach without being preachy. A tall order indeed.
Here are three important characters from the game:
1. Phlegma the Botanist
She keeps an eye on the farm and helps young Vikings understand the living world.
2. Gobber the Belch
Gobber is a dragon slayer who has now turned into a trainer in the School of Dragons. He trains young Vikings in all things dragon.
3. Hiccup
He is the undisputed master in all things dragon in the Viking world. In fact he is the one who persuades his father who is the village chief to live peacefully with the dragons. He sets up the Dragon Training Academy, and is the last word on all things dragons.
Designing games which can hold he attention of young people is not easy. It is all the more difficult when science has to be taught and in a way which will fit the ancient world of Berk.
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