AI Game Designers: Science Standards Challenge
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as game designers, leverage AI to create engaging and accessible video games that both teach specific science standards and address the ethical considerations and workforce impacts of AI, ensuring our games are beneficial and inclusive for all users?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can AI be used to create engaging and educational video games?
- What are the ethical considerations when using AI in game design and education?
- How can we design video games that are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities?
- How does AI impact the workforce and what are the potential career paths in the field of AI game development?
- How can we evaluate the capabilities and limitations of AI tools for game design?
- How can we align game design with specific science standards to enhance learning?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will design a video game using AI that teaches a specific science standard.
- Students will evaluate AI tools and their capabilities for game design.
- Students will analyze the ethical and workforce impacts of AI.
- Students will create accessible games for users with disabilities.
- Students will iterate and adapt their game design based on feedback.
Teacher Provided Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsScience Simulation Challenge
A renowned science lab presents students with a challenge: create an AI-powered game that simulates a complex scientific concept (related to the course's science standard) in an engaging and accessible way. The lab emphasizes the need for the game to be inclusive and usable by students with disabilities, focusing on accessible design principles.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Ethical AI Game Design Dilemma
Students will engage in a discussion and case study analysis about the ethical considerations of using AI in game design and its broader impact on the workforce.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written reflection or presentation summarizing the ethical considerations of AI in game design and its impact on the workforce, including potential solutions for mitigating negative impacts.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Learning Goal: Students will analyze the ethical and workforce impacts of AI. Directly supports Standard 2: Students will critically assess the broader impact of AI tools on the workforce, including the potential for mass job displacement in certain sectors and the rise of new AI-driven career paths.Science Game AI Prototype
Students will develop a prototype of their AI-powered science game, focusing on integrating the science standard into the game mechanics and AI elements.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA playable prototype of an AI-powered science game that teaches a specific science standard.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Learning Goal: Students will design a video game using AI that teaches a specific science standard. Connects the practical application of AI with educational content.Feedback Iteration Loop
Students will present their game prototype to peers and teachers, gather feedback, and iterate on their design based on the feedback received.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn updated and improved version of the AI-powered science game prototype, incorporating feedback from peers and teachers.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Learning Goal: Students will iterate and adapt their game design based on feedback. Reinforces the iterative design process and adaptation based on user input.AI Tool Evaluator
Students begin by exploring various AI tools relevant to game design. They will evaluate the capabilities, limitations, and potential applications of each tool in the context of creating a science-based video game.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparative analysis chart of AI tools for game design, highlighting their suitability for creating educational science games.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Learning Goal: Students will evaluate AI tools and their capabilities for game design. Directly supports Standard 1: Students will evaluate real-world AI tools, analyzing their capabilities and limitations.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioAI Game Design Portfolio Rubric
Ethical Considerations & Workforce Impact
Assessment of students' understanding of ethical implications of AI in game design and its impact on the workforce, including considerations of bias, accessibility, and job displacement.Ethical Reflection
Depth and thoughtfulness of reflection on ethical issues related to AI in game design and its impact on the workforce.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates a sophisticated understanding of ethical considerations, providing nuanced insights into potential biases, accessibility challenges, and workforce disruptions. Offers innovative solutions for mitigating negative impacts.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a thorough understanding of ethical considerations, addressing potential biases, accessibility challenges, and workforce disruptions. Proposes effective solutions for mitigating negative impacts.
Developing
2 PointsShows an emerging understanding of ethical considerations, identifying some potential biases, accessibility challenges, or workforce disruptions. Suggests basic solutions for mitigating negative impacts.
Beginning
1 PointsShows a limited understanding of ethical considerations, struggling to identify potential biases, accessibility challenges, or workforce disruptions. Offers minimal solutions for mitigating negative impacts.
Workforce Analysis
Quality of analysis regarding the impact of AI on the workforce, including job displacement and the emergence of new career paths.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of AI's impact on the workforce, including detailed examples of job displacement and the rise of new AI-driven career paths. Considers long-term implications and offers innovative strategies for workforce adaptation.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a thorough analysis of AI's impact on the workforce, including clear examples of job displacement and the rise of new AI-driven career paths. Considers potential challenges and suggests strategies for workforce adaptation.
Developing
2 PointsShows an emerging analysis of AI's impact on the workforce, identifying some examples of job displacement or new AI-driven career paths. Mentions basic challenges and limited strategies for workforce adaptation.
Beginning
1 PointsShows a limited analysis of AI's impact on the workforce, struggling to identify examples of job displacement or new AI-driven career paths. Provides minimal insight into challenges or strategies for workforce adaptation.
AI Tool Evaluation
Assessment of students' ability to evaluate AI tools for game design, considering their capabilities, limitations, and suitability for educational purposes.Tool Analysis
Depth and accuracy of analysis of AI tools, including their features, ease of use, and potential for educational game design.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of AI tools, demonstrating a deep understanding of their features, ease of use, and potential for educational game design. Identifies niche applications and suggests innovative uses.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a thorough analysis of AI tools, demonstrating a clear understanding of their features, ease of use, and potential for educational game design. Identifies appropriate applications and suggests effective uses.
Developing
2 PointsShows an emerging analysis of AI tools, identifying some features, aspects of ease of use, and potential for educational game design. Mentions basic applications and limited uses.
Beginning
1 PointsShows a limited analysis of AI tools, struggling to identify features, aspects of ease of use, or potential for educational game design. Provides minimal insight into applications or uses.
Comparative Chart
Quality and completeness of the comparative analysis chart, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for educational science games.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a comprehensive and well-organized comparative analysis chart, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and nuanced suitability for educational science games. Provides clear justifications for each evaluation.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates a thorough and organized comparative analysis chart, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for educational science games. Provides clear explanations for each evaluation.
Developing
2 PointsCreates a basic comparative analysis chart, identifying some strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for educational science games. Provides limited explanations for each evaluation.
Beginning
1 PointsCreates an incomplete or poorly organized comparative analysis chart, struggling to identify strengths, weaknesses, or suitability for educational science games. Provides minimal explanations for each evaluation.
Science Game Prototype
Assessment of the quality and functionality of the AI-powered science game prototype, focusing on science standard integration, game mechanics, and AI element implementation.Science Integration
Effectiveness of integrating the selected science standard into the game mechanics, ensuring accurate and engaging educational content.
Exemplary
4 PointsSeamlessly integrates the selected science standard into the game mechanics, creating an engaging and highly educational experience. Demonstrates a deep understanding of the science content.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively integrates the selected science standard into the game mechanics, creating an engaging and educational experience. Demonstrates a clear understanding of the science content.
Developing
2 PointsPartially integrates the selected science standard into the game mechanics, creating a somewhat educational experience. Shows an emerging understanding of the science content.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to integrate the selected science standard into the game mechanics, resulting in a limited educational experience. Shows a limited understanding of the science content.
AI Implementation
Quality and creativity of AI element implementation, enhancing gameplay and learning through AI tutors, adaptive difficulty, or other innovative AI applications.
Exemplary
4 PointsImplements AI elements creatively and effectively, significantly enhancing gameplay and learning through innovative applications such as AI tutors or adaptive difficulty. Demonstrates advanced understanding of AI capabilities.
Proficient
3 PointsImplements AI elements effectively, enhancing gameplay and learning through applications such as AI tutors or adaptive difficulty. Demonstrates clear understanding of AI capabilities.
Developing
2 PointsImplements AI elements in a basic way, providing some enhancement to gameplay or learning. Shows an emerging understanding of AI capabilities.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to implement AI elements, resulting in minimal enhancement to gameplay or learning. Shows a limited understanding of AI capabilities.
Prototype Functionality
Completeness and playability of the game prototype, ensuring all core mechanics are functional and the game is enjoyable to play.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a fully functional and highly polished game prototype, with all core mechanics working seamlessly and the game providing an enjoyable and engaging experience.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a functional and polished game prototype, with all core mechanics working effectively and the game providing an enjoyable experience.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a partially functional game prototype, with some core mechanics working and the game providing a somewhat enjoyable experience.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents an incomplete or poorly functional game prototype, with many core mechanics not working and the game providing a limited or frustrating experience.
Feedback & Iteration
Assessment of students' ability to gather feedback on their game prototype and iterate on their design based on the feedback received, demonstrating adaptability and a growth mindset.Feedback Integration
Extent to which feedback from peers and teachers is incorporated into the updated game prototype, addressing identified areas for improvement.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional integration of feedback from peers and teachers, resulting in significant improvements to the game design and functionality. Articulates the rationale behind each change and its impact on the overall game experience.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates effective integration of feedback from peers and teachers, resulting in clear improvements to the game design and functionality. Explains the rationale behind each change.
Developing
2 PointsShows some integration of feedback from peers and teachers, resulting in moderate improvements to the game design and functionality. Mentions the rationale behind some changes.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited integration of feedback from peers and teachers, resulting in minimal improvements to the game design and functionality. Provides little or no rationale behind changes.
Iteration Quality
Overall quality of the updated game prototype, reflecting the effectiveness of the iterative design process and the improvements made based on feedback.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a significantly improved game prototype, demonstrating a highly effective iterative design process and a strong commitment to incorporating feedback. The updated game is polished, engaging, and educationally sound.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents an improved game prototype, demonstrating an effective iterative design process and a clear commitment to incorporating feedback. The updated game is functional, engaging, and educationally sound.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a moderately improved game prototype, demonstrating a basic iterative design process and some effort to incorporate feedback. The updated game shows some enhancements in functionality, engagement, or educational value.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a minimally improved game prototype, demonstrating a limited iterative design process and little effort to incorporate feedback. The updated game shows minimal enhancements in functionality, engagement, or educational value.