The Shipwreck Arcana
The Shipwreck Arcana is a compact, cooperative game of deduction, evaluation, logic, and inference.
Players take turns playing tokens according to rules found on an ever-changing tableau of cards, in order to convey information to the rest of the group before their doom arrives.
The players collectively earn points for correct predictions, and advance the doom track with incorrect predictions. Arcana cards also fade over time, which changes the tableau, advances the doom track, and unlocks special powers.
The game ends when the players earn 7 points or their doom reaches 7.
2-5 players, 20 minutes, recommended ages 10+.
Steven's thoughts for the classroom:
This is a fun game. No, it does not teach content. So, picking it for the classroom is more about scientific reasoning, mathematical thinking, and logical problem-solving. All are important and woven throughout the Science Standards. I love that it helps students practice deduction and reasoning. I think it would work well in the high school classroom and be a game students would love! Even though the manufacturer states it's for ages 10+, I don't think it would be good for middle school.
Sarah's thoughts for the classroom:
The collaborative nature of this game paired with a focus on deductive reasoning skills makes this a great exercise in critical thinking for the high school classroom. Players need to carefully read each of the face-up cards before deciding how to play their tokens. It is more of a challenge than I expected for the active player to not be able to speak during their turn!
Official Link: