The Energy City Board Game - NGSS Engineering Design

Overview

The Energy City Board Game is an innovative educational tool designed to teach engineering design principles while aligning with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This project combines game-based learning with rigorous educational standards to create an engaging STEM learning experience.

Objectives

• Create an engaging, hands-on learning experience for engineering design concepts
• Align curriculum with NGSS Engineering Design standards
• Teach sustainability and energy concepts through interactive gameplay
• Develop collaborative problem-solving skills
• Assess student understanding through game-based assessments

Game Mechanics

Core Gameplay

• Players: 3-6 students per game
• Duration: 45-60 minutes per session
• Age Range: Grades 6-12 (adaptable)
• Setting: Future city planning with energy challenges

Learning Objectives

1. Engineering Design Process: Students follow the complete design cycle
2. Systems Thinking: Understanding interconnected energy systems
3. Sustainability: Balancing economic, environmental, and social factors
4. Collaboration: Working in teams to solve complex problems

NGSS Alignment

Middle School Standards

• MS-ETS1-1: Define criteria and constraints of design problems
• MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions
• MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine optimal design
• MS-ETS1-4: Develop models to generate solutions

High School Standards

• HS-ETS1-1: Analyze major global challenges
• HS-ETS1-2: Design solutions to complex problems
• HS-ETS1-3: Evaluate solutions based on prioritized criteria
• HS-ETS1-4: Use computer simulation to model impacts

Implementation & Testing

Pilot Program

• Schools: 5 middle schools, 3 high schools
• Students: 240 participants across 8 months
• Teachers: 12 educators trained in game facilitation

Results

• Engagement: 40% increase in student engagement with engineering concepts
• Learning Outcomes: 35% improvement in design thinking assessments
• Teacher Feedback: 95% positive response rate
• Student Feedback: 4.6/5 average satisfaction rating

Assessment Framework

Formative Assessment

• Design Journals: Students document their thinking process
• Peer Evaluations: Collaborative reflection activities
• Progress Checkpoints: Regular assessment of design iterations

Summative Assessment

• Final Presentations: Teams present their city designs
• Reflection Essays: Individual analysis of learning process
• Portfolio Creation: Collection of design artifacts

Materials & Resources

Game Components

• Game board representing city layout
• Resource cards (energy sources, technologies)
• Challenge cards (environmental, economic events)
• Planning tokens and measurement tools
• Digital companion app for calculations

Educator Resources

• Teacher Guide: 50-page comprehensive manual
• Lesson Plans: 8 structured lesson sequences
• Assessment Rubrics: Aligned with NGSS standards
• Professional Development: 2-day training workshop

Impact & Recognition

Awards & Recognition

• NSTA Outstanding Science Curriculum Award (2022)
• Games for Change Education Category Finalist (2022)
• Featured in NCTM Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School (2022)

Distribution

• Schools: Used in 150+ schools across 12 states
• Teachers: Trained 300+ educators
• Students: Reached 8,000+ learners

Research Publications

1. “Game-Based Learning in STEM Education: The Energy City Experience”
   • Journal of Engineering Education, 2022
   • Co-authored with Dr. Sarah Johnson, Northwestern University
2. “Assessing Engineering Design Thinking Through Board Games”
   • Educational Assessment, 2022
   • Presented at AERA Annual Meeting 2022

Future Development

Version 2.0 Features

• Digital Integration: Hybrid physical-digital gameplay
• AI Tutoring: Personalized hints and feedback
• Global Challenges: Climate change scenarios
• Accessibility: Enhanced features for diverse learners

Expansion Plans

• Elementary Version: Simplified mechanics for K-5
• Professional Development: Online certification program
• International: Translation into Spanish and French
• Research: Longitudinal impact study

Technical Specifications

Physical Components

• Board: 24” x 36” laminated game board
• Cards: 200 game cards with educational content
• Tokens: Wooden pieces representing city elements
• Packaging: Durable storage system for classroom use

Digital Components

• Companion App: iOS/Android calculation tool
• Teacher Dashboard: Progress tracking system
• Student Portfolios: Digital artifact collection
• Assessment Tools: Automated rubric scoring

Testimonials

“The Energy City game transformed how my students think about engineering. They’re not just learning concepts—they’re living them through gameplay.”

— Maria Rodriguez, 7th Grade Science Teacher

“This game perfectly balances fun and learning. Students are so engaged they don’t realize how much they’re learning about complex engineering principles.”

— Dr. Michael Chen, STEM Education Researcher