Game-based Learning in the Science Classroom

Welcome to Gaming for Learning! 

We will be adding new, reviewed, and/or adapted games to the list. Check back often and follow Superheroes of Science (@purduesos) on Facebook or Instagram for updates! 

Teaching Chemistry:

  • Periodic: A Game of the Elements (Adapted for use in the high school classroom)
    • This lesson utilizes an adaptation of the board game Periodic: A Game of the Elements to help students better understand both general periodic trends and the law of conservation of energy. This adaptation was created for use during one 45-minute class period. During their turn, players can choose to activate one or more periodic trends by either spending or gaining Energy Tokens. Players score points by "researching" elements associated with Goal Cards.
  • Organic Chemistry Functional Group Playing Cards 
    • To help students learn to recognize common organic functional groups when given chemical formulas and names, students can use an organic chemistry functional group playing card deck to play any card game that can be played with a traditional card deck. 
  • Subatomic: An Atom Building Game (Adapted for use in the science classroom)
    • This lesson utilizes an adaptation of the board game Subatomic: An Atom Building Game to help students learn about the different parts that make up an atom. During their turn, players can choose to "Buy" deck building cards, "Build" the atom on their Player Mat, "Take" Energy Tokens by playing cards from their hand face down, and "Claim" Element cards from the main game board. Players score points from the Element cards they claim and from the Goal Marker cubes that are played on the main game board. The adaptation for this game was created for use during one 45-minute class period. 
  • Ion: A Compound Building Game
    • Ion: A Compound Building Game allows players to create sets of ionic compounds and sets of noble gases by selecting cards from their hand. The catch? Once they select a card from their hand, they must pass the remaining cards in that hand to the player to their left while simultaneously receiving a new set of cards from the player on their right! This fast-moving card drafting game is a fun way to help students learn about forming ionic bonds.

Teaching Earth / Environmental Sciences:

  • Wingspan: The Classroom Adaptation
    • Even though the developers list this game as a 40-70-minute game, it tends to take quite a bit longer with new players. Additionally, students could play the game focusing entirely on game mechanics and not gain insight into the environmental lessons that could be gathered by reflecting on the game. So, we made a variation of this game using the game with modified rules and some added environmental cards.  
  • The Rock Collector Card Game
    • This is a quick card game reviewing rocks, the rock cycle, and experiencing how natural and manmade events can cause an increased demand for particular rocks. 
  • Photosynthesis
    • Photosynthesis is an action-based, economy-driven, area control game. Gameplay is about planting seeds, growing trees, having those trees topple down to give you points, and starting all over again, all while trying to control the limited sunlight of the forest.

Teaching Cooperative and Problem Solving:

  • The Shipwreck Arcana
    • The Shipwreck Arcana is a compact, cooperative game of deduction, evaluation, logic, and inference. Players work together to deduct what numbers or 'tokens' each other has. Wrong guesses and running out of plays increase the team's Doom. Correctly deducted guesses increase the team's fate. Will your team work together to increase your Fate before your Doom runs out?
  • Pandemic
    • Pandemic is a cooperative, strategy board game.  Four diseases threaten the world, and your elite team of specialists must find a cure for each of them before it’s too late. Everyone must work together applying their unique character skills to benefit the team—and the world.
  • Apollo: NASA Moon Mission
    • The main goal is to safely land on the moon and return or to achieve the objectives of other Apollo missions while overcoming the many obstacles that arise during the mission. Apollo provides an engaging mix of strategy, teamwork, and historical learning, making it ideal for space enthusiasts and fans of cooperative board games.
  • Gravity Maze: 3D marble game
    • The game's main objective is to place the translucent towers on a grid so that when you release the marble, it travels through the towers and lands at the target.

Teaching Computer Science:

  • Hacker Cybersecurity Coding Game
    • 🔐 Think like an ethical hacker! This engaging game challenges students to solve encryption puzzles, secure networks, and defend against cyber threats—all while learning core cybersecurity principles. A perfect way to introduce digital security concepts in an interactive way!
  • Code: On The Brink
    • 🧩 Step into the logic of coding! Code On The Brink helps students develop computational thinking and problem-solving skills by creating step-by-step sequences—no computer required! A fun, unplugged activity to build foundational coding logic.
  • CoderMindz: Game for AI Learners
    • 🤖 AI meets strategy! In CoderMindz, students explore artificial intelligence, machine learning, and ethical AI decisions. Through hands-on gameplay, they discover how AI models learn, make predictions, and impact the real world.
  • micro:bit Classroom Guide
    • 💡 Hands-on coding made simple! The micro:bit brings coding to life with sensors, LEDs, and interactive projects. Whether in STEM lessons or a makerspace, this small but powerful device helps students explore programming, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.