Multimodal Literacies
Final Project: Game Design and Development
Final Project: Game Design and Development
Project Created By: Alicia Minervini
Supportive Credits & 3D Printer Guidance By: Michael Diaz
Protein Quest, the thrilling board game where you dive into the microscopic world of a cell to master the fascinating process of protein synthesis! As players, you become molecular biologists in a race against time and each other to transcribe DNA, translate RNA into amino acid chains all while gaining energy points and completing content questions.
Protein Quest not only entertains but educates, immersing players in the essential biological processes of transcription, translation, and protein synthesis. Players learn scientific vocabulary, the significance of each molecular component, and get a hands-on understanding of how genetic information is transformed into functional proteins crucial for life.
Suitable for ages 12 and up, Protein Quest is perfect for budding scientists, classroom learning, and anyone curious about the inner workings of life at a cellular level. Gather your friends and family for an educational adventure through the cell — where science, strategy, and fun merge into one ultimate quest for proteins!
Game Specs:
2-4 players
Approximately 30 minutes gameplay per round
Gameplay Highlights and Goals:
Start in the Nucleus: Roll the die to move around, landing on specific molecular bases or question cards. Answer questions correctly to gain ATP points and purchase the correct molecular bases to transcribe your pre-selected DNA into mRNA.
Translate at the Ribosome: Once you have completed your mRNA molecule and have earned enough ATP points, move your pawn to the ribosome to begin translating your mRNA into a chain of amino acids by matching your mRNA codons with the correct tRNA anticodon cards.
Navigate with Strategy: Use Event Cards to gain advantages such as extra ATP tokens, enhanced movement, or special abilities to correct mutations and errors in transcription and translation.
End Game Goals: Complete the specific protein sequences first while being the player to maintain the most ATP points at the end.
The visual modality in "Protein Quest" plays a crucial role in enhancing educational engagement and reinforcing learning outcomes. By integrating visually stimulating components and thematic elements directly related to cellular biology, the game design effectively supports and enriches the learning experience for players, especially students in an educational setting. The following are the visual components included in this game:
Game Board- The game board itself is a colorful depiction of the interior of a cell, focused on the organelles important in protein synthesis like the nucleus, ribosomes, and the rough endoplasmic reticulum. This not only serves as the playing field but also acts as a visual aid for players to understand the locations and functions of different cell components. By moving their pawns through these areas, players can visually connect the physical structure of a cell with its biological functions.
Player Pawns- Double helix DNA strands are designed to represent the starting point of protein synthesis and the important role that DNA plays in the process.
Themed Cards- The cards are colored coded to the processes they correspond with- transcription or translation. The initial cards are gene sequences (single stranded DNA) to be used a the template for transcription. The translation cards contain representations of nucleotide sequences (anticodons) and amino acids. These different cards helps players visually differentiate between the types of nucleic acids involved and understand the sequence alignment that occurs during transcription and translation.
ATP (Energy) Tokens- Used as a form of energy currency, these tokens are a constant visual reminder of the energy requirement in biological processes, helping players understand the metabolic costs associated with cellular functions.
Directions- A well- illustrated instruction manual that includes images of game components, gameplay setup, and gameplay scenarios, supports visual learners. This can be useful for reinforcing the order of events in protein synthesis and providing a reference that players can consult during and after gameplay.
By encorporating these visual elements into the game, several education goals are accomplished. Visual cues help in better retention of information, specifically about these cellular processes. By simulating the cellular environment on the game board, players can visualize abstract concepts in a tangible setting. All of these visual components and aids enhances student learning, making complex scientific concepts more accessible and engaging and therefore more enjoyable for learners.
The tactile modality in "Protein Quest" is another significant component that enhances learning through direct physical interaction with the game elements. By engaging players through hands-on activities and manipulative features, the game reinforces key concepts of protein synthesis and cellular biology. The following are the tactile components included in this game:
DNA Player Pawns- Navigating pawns through different cell compartments (like moving from the nucleus to the ribosome) allows players to engage kinesthetically with the cell's layout. This movement helps in understanding the spatial relationships and functions of various organelles within the cell, providing a physical sense of the cellular journey that mRNA and proteins undertake.
RNA bases and tRNA Pawns- Physically manipulating these cards and pawns to match sequences simulates the processes of transcription and translation. This tactile interaction helps players internalize the sequence alignment and the specificity of base-pairing in RNA synthesis and the tRNA connection to Amino Acids. Handling these cards and pawns enables players to actively participate in constructing the genetic and protein structures, which is essential for understanding the processes at a deeper level.
Gameplay and Board Setup- The initial setup of the game, where players assemble the board, shuffle cards, and distribute tokens, serves as a preliminary tactile activity that prepares them for the interactive learning experience. This setup phase also helps in developing organizational skills and understanding the game's framework, which parallels setting up a scientific experiment in a lab.
These tactical components and interactions provides a thorough learning experience that clarifies the complex aspects of molecular biology through engaging, hands-on interactions. The physical involvement in game mechanics helps reinforce the learning of scientific concepts as players see, touch, and manipulate the elements of protein synthesis. Tactile engagement keeps players physically and mentally involved in the game, making the educational process more enjoyable and the concepts less abstract. Including these tactical components allow players to become active participants in the learning process, micing the experimental and hands-on nature of scientific inquiry.
The reading modality is integral to the learning experience, engaging with text throughout the game allows players to develop literacy skills relevant to science education. The following are the reading components included in this game:
Game Cards- Transcription Question Cards contain questions (some regents level) that players must read alout to their opponents for interpretation and decision making. Translation Cards contain anticodons, amino acids, and "events". This engages players in reading genetic codes, understanding nucleotide sequences, and answering questions that are fundamental to grasping how thw two processes in protein synthesis function. The "event" cards introduce various scenarios or challenges that player encounter, described through text that might include scientific terms and concepts. Reading these cards enhances comprehension of biological impacts such as mutations, enzyme conditions, and energy fluctuations within cellular environment.
Instruction Manual- The game' instruction sheet- filled with rules, gameplay scenarios, and description of componenets, requires careful reading. Players learn the game mechanics and the underlying biological processes simultaneously, promoting an understanding of complex scientific procedures through accessible explanations and examples.
These reading components enhance vocabulary and content knowledge by exposing students to scientific terminology and conceptual explanations through card texts. By integrating reading into gameplay, players practice extracting information from text, interpreting it, and applying it to make strategic decisions. This skill is vital in all areas of education and develops critical thinking. The ability to read and understand game components allows players to self-direct their learning experience. They can refer to textual resources at their own pace, promoting autonomy in learning and problem-solving. Combining text with visual and tactile elements of the game caters to diverse learning styles, helping players absorb information more effectively through multisensory engagement. Overall, the reading modality of "Protein Quest" is essential for embedding educational content within the game mechanics. It ensures that players are not only enjoying the game but also actively learning and reinforcing key scientific concepts through a blend of reading and interactive activities.
The spatial modality leverages the physical layout of the game board and the movement of game elements to teach players about cellular processes, particularly focusing on how spatial relationships within a cell influence protein synthesis. Understanding spatial relationships is crucial in biology, as it relates to how various cellular components interact and function together such as enzymes and tRNA molecules. The following are the spatial components included in this game:
Game Board layout- The game board is a illustrated representation of a cell's interior, divided into distinct areas such as the nucleus, ribosome, and endoplasmic reticulum. Each area is strategically placed to reflect its actual position and role within a typical cell. This design helps players visualize and understand where and how the processes of transcription and translation occur and where certain molecules can be found.
Player Pawn Movement: As players move their DNA pawns through different cell components, they experience the concept of spatial navigation within a cell. This movement reinforces the understanding that molecular biology involves not just chemical reactions but also the physical movement of molecules within different cellular spaces.
Interaction of Game Components- The interaction between DNA, mRNA, and tRNA pawns and pieces during the game illustrates how spatial alignment (base pairing) is essential for transcription and translation. Handling and aligning these elements in specific patterns can help players visualize how spatial orientation affects molecular interactions.
The game encourages players to think about how space within a cell is used and navigated by different molecules. By tying spatial navigation to molecular processes, players gain a more comprehensive understanding of how cellular components interact in three dimensions, not just in theory but in a tangible, visible manner. Also helping enhance and support better recall of concepts through spatial arrangements/ interactions.