Project Description

Core Question

The core question, or thesis, is the open-ended and exploratory project question. Core questions lead to a solution through action-based research and applying what an individual knows to his/her community.

"Stem for Children" Core Question

Can game-based learning be used to impact Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in children in underrepresented populations?

Methods

The following methods were followed in order to make this project successful.

  1. Arrived at daycare facility
  2. Administered pre-test for genetics
  3. Played Crazy Cats game once
  4. Administered genetics post test
  5. Administered pre-test for logic
  6. Played Tacto game three times (shorter game)
  7. Administered post-test for logic
  8. Analyzed results of pre/post-tests using 2-Tailed Paired T-Test

Hypotheses

Crazy Cats Null Hypothesis:

  • Compared to playing Crazy Cats to learn, not playing Crazy Cats to learn would result in no increase in knowledge, no increase in test scores.

Crazy Cats Alternative Hypothesis:

  • Compared to not playing Crazy Cats to learn, playing Crazy Cats to learn would lead to a greater knowledge, an increase test scores.

Tacto Null Hypothesis:

  • Compared to playing Tacto to learn, not playing Tacto to learn would result in no increase in knowledge, no increase in test scores.

Tacto Alternative Hypothesis

  • Compared to not playing Tacto to learn, playing Tacto to learn would lead to a greater knowledge, an increase test scores.

Data Collection

Data was collected through the pre/post tests administered before and after each game.

Results

By comparing the knowledge tests from before playing a game and after playing a game, it was determined that the students' knowledge of a particular subject was increased after playing a game once.

The pre-test scores were compared to the post-test scores through a two-tailed Paired T-Test with an α level of 0.05. A P value of less than 0.05 was obtained indicating significance. The increase in the knowledge of the knowledge of those who played Crazy Cats once did not occur by chance.