PAGE HEADER
Gamestar Mechanic is a game-based digital learning platform designed to teach the guiding principles of game design and systems thinking in a highly engaging and creative environment.
The game and the accompanying Learning Guide are designed to foster critical 21st century skills such as systems thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, digital media literacies and a motivation for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning.
The game features three fully integrated components:
- Play. Gamestar Mechanic features a rich single-player Quest where players learn the principles of game design through an exciting adventure game. Set in a 'steampunk' world created and run by game designers, the narrative provides critical scaffolding for the player. As the player progresses through the Quest they learn the principles of game design and earn 'sprites' that enable them to design and publish their own games.
- Design. Once players have shown a certain level of mastery they earn a game design workshop where they can use their 'sprites' to design their own original games. The workshop features a drag and drop game building tool that enables players to design a wide variety of games, which they can publish for others to play and review.
- Share. The game also features a vibrant community called Game Alley where players can publish, review and collaborate on games designed by other players. Game Alley creates a community of practice allowing designers to get feedback from their peers as well as professional game designers and offers regular challenges and contests.
"Gamestar Mechanic is an amazing student-centered resource for schools that can be used as enrichment, as part of a media literacy course, and to fulfill STEM objectives. My sixth graders found the website to be really fun, and the students were engaged for two to three hours at a time! Gamestar Mechanic helped to make my classroom a student-driven, collaborative environment where students felt like they were the experts in a matter of minutes!"
Danielle Ongart, Teacher, New Heights Academy Charter School, NYC
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