Last year U.S. President Barack Obama challenged video game developers young and old to develop a game that encouraged the learning of science, technology, engineering, and math. The winners of the STEM Video Game Challenge have been announced, and the grand prize winner is a game that teaches children how to spread disease.
https://lastchance.cc/obama-wants-kids-to-make-video-games-5640588%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
While the concept sounds sinister, the game itself is actually quite charming, filled with colorful mini-games that manage to entertain as much as they educate.
In my initial play through of the game, I chose Influenza A, my favorite airborne virus. Being airborne, I had to find an area where wind was blowing in order to infect my target Henry, a sickly slob of an old man. I chose an open window.
Hitting the space bar lured Henry over to the window, giving my beloved Influenza A a chance to attack. In a separate mini-game, I used puffs of wind to direct the bacteria to Henryās mouth as he breathed in and out.
Once inside his body, I got to guide the Influenza A to a cell, infecting it slowly as anti-bodies attempted to take a bite out of it. After three cells were infected, my job was done.
Itās the most fun Iāve had infecting another human being with Influenza A ever. I can see why the Dans walked away with $50,000.
Ready to infect some unsuspecting slobs? Head over to Filament Gamesā website for some infectious learning fun.
For a list of all of the National STEM Video Game Challenge award winners, visit the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop
