GAMING THE UNIVERSE: LEARNING SCIENCE THROUGH PLAY
Tuesdays, September 9-December 16 (no class Oct 14, Nov 4 and Nov 25; 12 weeks)
12:30pm-1:45pm
Ages 6-8
Students explore scientific concepts and phenomena through the immersive world of card and board games. From simulating how firefighters combat wildfires to navigating our solar system, students engage in active learning that goes far beyond textbooks and lectures. No prior gaming experience is necessary - just a sense of curiosity and a willingness to play, experiment, and think like a scientist. All lab costs are included in the registration fee.
Instructor: Jessica Barnes, BSc
Location: Science Center (suite 5)
Full semester - $220 OR $20/lab (plus $0.99 AH fee)
10% off sibling discount
Register for full semester or individual labs.
LAB SCHEDULE:
MINUTE TO WIN IT – SCIENCE LAB EDITION – Tuesday, September 9
Kids learn how to use science tools as they complete fun, 1-minute challenges related to mass, volume, length, density and other scientific measurements and skills.
BALANCING GAME – Tuesday, September 16
A hands-on physics class where students explore balance, gravity, and center of mass through interactive gameplay using the tabletop game Suspend.
THE GAME OF ELEMENTS – Tuesday, September 23
Students play a matching game that helps them learn elements on the periodic table and lets them create their own matching game.
WHAT IS IT? MARINE BIOLOGY EDITION – Tuesday, September 30
Students dive into the world of marine biology by playing a game that challenges them to identify, classify and explore the biodiversity of ocean animals.
PUT THAT FIRE OUT! – Tuesday, October 7
Students take on the role of wildfire firefighters in a dynamic game that teaches the science of fire behavior and ecology while exploring real-world strategies and tools used to contain and extinguish wildfires.
MIGRATION GAME – Tuesday, October 21
Students play a game that simulates animal migration and tracking, allowing them to explore the challenges, patterns, and environmental factors that influence how and why animals move from one location to another.
GAME OF BIRDS – Tuesday, October 28
Students play a bird-themed game to learn how different birds are native to Georgia.
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS – Tuesday, November 11
Students explore how animals survive and thrive in different environments by playing a game that highlights key adaptations in behavior, anatomy, and physiology.
WEATHER GAME – Tuesday, November 18
Students learn about different weather patterns, how seasons work, and the science behind weather events, while building their curiosity about how the world’s weather functions.
HABITATS GAME – Tuesday, December 2
Students play a game that immerses them in building and managing habitats and ecosystems, while learning to identify and balance the interactions between biotic and abiotic elements.
NATIONAL PARKS CHALLENGE – Tuesday, December 9
Students learn about simple ways to help conserve nature while playing as a team to protect the national park.
SPACE VOYAGE CHALLENGE - Tuesday, December 16
Students discover the cutting-edge instruments NASA scientists use to explore and study the vast reaches of space as they play a strategy card game.
Thank you so much for the kind words. We've really enjoyed the opportunity to teach your sweet kids over the last couple of weeks!
Thank you so for letting us teach your son at camp, I'm glad he had a blast!
I'm so glad that your kid had a blast! I understand that the 8:30 start time can be difficult to navigate, and we are sorry for the inconvenience.