Engineering Games: Crash Course Kids #29.2

Introduction

This tutorial explores how games can teach us about engineering principles. By understanding how to manipulate variables in a game or puzzle, we can learn to solve problems effectively. In this guide, we will break down the steps involved in using games as a teaching tool for engineering concepts.

Step 1: Understand the Concept of Variables

• A variable is any element, feature, or factor that can change in a game or experiment.
• Identifying variables helps in understanding how different changes affect outcomes.
• Practical Advice: Start by listing all the variables in a game you're playing. This could include speed, size, or position of objects.

Step 2: Conducting Fair Tests

• Fair tests involve changing one variable at a time while keeping all other variables constant.
• This approach helps isolate the effects of the variable you are testing.
• Practical Advice: When testing a game strategy, only change one element (e.g., speed) and observe the results before making further changes.

Step 3: Identify Failure Points

• Failure points are aspects of a model or prototype where performance does not meet expectations.
• Recognizing these points is crucial for improvement.
• Practical Advice: After testing, analyze what didn’t work. Ask yourself questions like "What went wrong?" or "Why didn’t this strategy succeed?"

Step 4: Iterate on Your Design

• Use the insights gained from your tests to make improvements.
• Iteration involves making changes based on your findings and testing again.
• Practical Advice: Document your changes and the outcomes. This will help track your progress and refine your approach.

Step 5: Apply Your Learning to Real-World Problems

• Take the principles learned from games and apply them to real engineering challenges.
• Consider how variable manipulation in a game can relate to real-life engineering scenarios, such as designing a bridge or a vehicle.
• Practical Advice: Think of a simple engineering problem you face and apply the same steps of identifying variables, testing, and iterating.

Conclusion

Games can be powerful tools for learning engineering concepts by allowing us to experiment with variables in a controlled environment. By understanding how to manipulate these variables, conduct fair tests, identify failure points, and iterate on our designs, we can apply these lessons to real-world challenges. Start small, practice regularly, and don’t hesitate to explore different games to enhance your engineering skills!