Teaching Science through Dragon Games

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.

Berk's Vikings

Image Credit: http://www.schoolofdragons.com/how-to-train-your-dragon/game-guide/berks-vikings

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.

Video Games Gear up for HTTYD 2 Release

With ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ creating a buzz as its worldwide release draws near, video game producers have been quick to cash in on the hype with productions themed around the DreamWorks animated movie. So far, video games produced under the DreamWorks Dragons brand have revolved around the characters and settings of the first movie, ‘How to Train Your Dragon’. Notable video games in this category include the ‘School of Dragons’ online game and ‘Dragons Adventure’ and ‘Rise of Berk’ mobile games. However, here are three video games that are staying ahead of the race by releasing titles based on the much-awaited sequel. 

 Photo Courtesy: School of Dragons

How to Fly Your Dragon  – This is a simple yet addictive online game featuring Hiccup and Toothless as seen in ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’. Players must help Toothless navigate the skies as he practices his flying skills with his beloved rider. The longer players stay on course, the higher Toothless flies. The flying sheep provide health and energy to the dragon, while the fireballs hurt him. The settings are inspired by HTTYD 2, and the flying sheep are unmistakably designed after the sheep used in Dragon Racing.

How to Train Your Dragon 2  – This video game is conspicuously named after the movie itself, and is set to release in the same month as the movie too. Players get to choose various riders and dragons, using them to participate in trainings, challenges and tournaments. The characters all look like their grown-up counterparts in the new movie, and the games are inspired by the Dragon Racing tournament so popular in Berk. The game can be played in multiplayer mode with friends, and the characters have a fun habit of taunting each other in their signature styles when competing against each other. ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ will be available for Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Wii U and Playstation 3. 

School of Dragons – Technically speaking, ‘School of Dragons’ was not designed around ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’. The MMORPG game was inspired by the original movie and lets players adopt, raise and train pet dragons. However, the notable thing about this game is that it is ever-expanding and adding new features, and constantly includes updates based on the happenings in the DreamWorks Dragons world. For example, the producers introduced a new quest in the game based on the ‘Defenders of Berk’ episode “The Iron Gronckle”. Now with ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ almost in theatres, the game has exciting new features marking the event. Players now have the option of adopting and raising multiple dragons at once, and even get their own dragon stables for their magnificent pets. Also new is the option of adopting Toothless as a pet dragon. Players can also try on their very own flight suits, inspired by Hiccup’s innovative design in the sequel. In case you’re wondering, yes, you can actually fly alongside your dragon when you’re wearing this fantastic leather suit! This game can be played on a browser, on Facebook or on your favorite mobile device.

The Buzz Surrounding the Latest How to Train Your Dragon Game – School of Dragons

There have been excited murmurs for a while, but now there’s endless talk among the How to Train Your Dragon fan base about the latest HTTYD game – School of Dragons! With the release of the teaser to the sequel, How to Train Your Dragon 2, and all the buzz that’s been surrounding the game, it is probably time to take a look at what all the talk is about and if it is worth all the attention.

School of Dragons–A Quick Summary

As the official website describes the game, “School of Dragons holds a world of creativity and exploration packed with endless quests and adventures that enables kids to raise, bond and train their dragons.” The description certainly sounds promising! What it also highlights are two important aspects of this How to Train Your Dragon game:

1. Endless fun as kids play with their favorite movie characters and raise and train dragons.
2. The game is a mix of education and fun.

School of Dragons – What it Really Offers

True to its description, the game does recreate, and impressively well at that, the Isle of Berk from the movie. For all the kids who loved the movie, it’s an absolute delight to play with the characters they saw and loved on screen. And, what’s more, kids can create their Viking avatars and get their very own dragon to raise and train!

In order to raise their dragons, players need to fish. Fishing is an important skill because this is what you need to feed your dragon. Vikings also learn to fly their dragons at the Flight School. Another exciting feature of this role-playing game is racing. Players get to compete with each other and race their dragons to get to the finish line first. That certainly sounds like an adrenalin rush the little Vikings are sure to love!

Along with all the best features from the movie, this How to Train Your Dragon game takes the gaming experience a notch higher with the educational content it offers kids. There are exciting science quests that players can go on to learn interesting science facts. The scientific method is certainly an integral part of the School of Dragons.

School of Dragons – The Verdict

While exploring the School of Dragons, it is hard not to get excited about raising your dragon and then racing with it. Since the game is aimed at kids aged 8 – 12, the educational content that has been woven into the game comes as a boon for parents. This How to Train Your Dragon game strives to arrive at the right balance of learning and fun, and succeeds! A look at various online forums speaks volumes about how well kids have taken to this game.

The buzz around School of Dragons has certainly been positive and fans of the hit DreamWorks animated movie have enjoyed this online How to Train Your Dragon game! There’s also talk of exciting new game features that the team is working on. From the looks of it, there’s much to look forward to. Happy playing!

Riders of Berk – All About DreamWorks’ Dragons

We have always been fascinated with dragons. Something about these winged creatures elicits reactions of awe and fascination among kids and adults alike. No surprise, then, that one of the most popular American computer-animated TV series revolves around these fire-breathing wonders! Yes, we’re talking about ‘DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk’! 

Riders of Berk – A Quick Synopsis 

Based on the 2010 blockbuster ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, ‘Dragons: Riders of Berk’ picks up from where the movie left off. It bridges the gap between the first film – HTTYD – and its sequel ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’, slated for a June 2014 release. The series premiered in September 2012 on Cartoon Network. ‘Riders of Berk’ features most of the cast from the hit film, including Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, T. J. Miller, and David Tennant. While the movie sees Hiccup successfully establishing peace between the Vikings and dragons of Berk, the TV series follows Hiccup’s journey, travails, and challenges that such a situation brings with it. 

In this show, Berk also sees the establishment of a unique Dragon Training Academy, helmed by Hiccup. The academy serves to help Vikings adapt to and understand their new companions – the dragons! The series highlights the various trials that Hiccup and the rest of his friends must face – from dragons that cannot be trained to new enemies who threaten to shatter the harmony between Vikings and dragons. 

Riders of Berk: Meet the Vikings 

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III: Son of Stoick the Vast, Hiccup was first the misfit who couldn’t slay a dragon. Now, he is the leader of the Dragon Academy who helps all the kids tame and train dragons! 

Stoick the Vast: The leader of Berk’s Hooligans, Stoick is both intimidating and caring! A valiant warrior, his sole objective is to care for all the inhabitants of Berk and keep them safe. 

Astrid Hofferson: Fearless, striking, and confident, Astrid is the second-in-command at the Dragon Academy. Hiccup’s close friend and love interest, she is shown to be tough but caring. 

Gobber the Belch: Berk’s blacksmith, Gobber is also Hiccup’s mentor. With an enviable knowledge on dragons and an impressive reputation as a dragon slayer, he becomes the veterinarian once peace is established between dragons and Vikings. 

Fishlegs Ingerman: While Fishlegs is generally afraid of putting himself in any kind of dangerous situation, he loves learning everything about dragons. While Hiccup chooses riskier routes, Fishlegs prefers to bury himself in books. 

Snotlout Jorgenson: An overconfident, vain bully, Snotlout is constantly trying to woo Astrid. While he believes he is a great warrior and dragon rider, his skills are average at best. 

Bucket: One of Berk’s farmers, Bucket is named after the bucket that he wears on his head, the result of a blow to his head while battling a dragon. Having suffered a memory loss, Bucket requires constant supervision. 

Mulch: Another Viking farmer, Mulch is independent and intelligent, a contrast to the soft-hearted Bucket. He is responsible for producing and collecting food for the village. 

Alvin the Treacherous: The primary recurring antagonist of the series, Alvin is both impatient and merciless. He aims to capture Hiccup and displace Stoick to become the chief of Berk. 

Mildew: Spiteful and a recluse, Mildew’s hatred towards dragons is extreme. While he is disliked by most Berk residents, he is clever and patient and can swing people’s opinions in his favor. 

Riding high on the success of DreamWorks’ hit animated film ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, ‘Riders of Berk’ was received enthusiastically by fans and critics alike. All eyes are now glued on ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’, the much-awaited sequel of the hit first installment. Going by DreamWorks’ track record, this one’s sure to be a winner as well!