Equation Quest: Design a Mobile Game to Solve Equations
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a mobile game that uses mathematical equations to create an engaging and challenging learning experience for players?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we represent real-world situations using equations with variables?
- How can we design game mechanics that effectively use equation-solving skills?
- What strategies can be used to solve one-variable equations?
- How do you balance game difficulty and player engagement when incorporating mathematical challenges?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand how to represent quantities with variables in equations.
- Learn to solve one-variable equations.
- Design game mechanics that utilize equation-solving skills.
- Balance game difficulty with player engagement.
Common Core Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Mysterious Letter
Students receive a mysterious letter from a fictional game company CEO. The letter states that the company needs help designing a new math-based mobile game and invites the students to participate in a design competition. This creates a sense of purpose and challenges students to use their math skills creatively.The Unfair Game
Students play a simple equation-solving game where their scores are visibly displayed on a leaderboard. However, the game has intentionally unbalanced scoring, leading to some students quickly gaining unfair advantages. The class discusses the role of equations in creating fair and balanced game mechanics, prompting them to consider the ethical implications of game design.Genre Brainstorm
Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a different game genre (puzzle, adventure, strategy, etc.). Each group brainstorms how equations could be integrated into their assigned genre to create engaging gameplay. This promotes collaboration and allows for diverse approaches to game design.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Equation Scenario Builder
Students will start by brainstorming real-world scenarios that can be represented using mathematical equations. They will then translate these scenarios into simple equations using variables to represent unknown quantities.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 collection of real-world scenarios, each accompanied by a corresponding equation using variables.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 7.EE.4 (representing quantities with variables) and Learning Goal: Understand how to represent quantities with variables in equations.Equation Quest Balancer
Students will refine their game mechanics to balance difficulty and engagement. They will test their game mechanics with peers and gather feedback on the difficulty and enjoyment levels.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 refined game design document that incorporates feedback on difficulty and engagement, with specific adjustments made to equation complexity and rewards.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 7.EE.4 and Learning Goal: Balance game difficulty with player engagement.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioEquation Quest Game Design Rubric
Equation Scenario Building
Assesses the student's ability to translate real-world situations into mathematical equations using variables.Equation Accuracy
Accuracy of translating real-world scenarios into mathematical equations.
Exemplary
4 PointsAccurately translates complex real-world scenarios into sophisticated equations, demonstrating a deep understanding of variable representation and relationships.
Proficient
3 PointsAccurately translates most real-world scenarios into equations, demonstrating a solid understanding of variable representation and relationships.
Developing
2 PointsTranslates some real-world scenarios into equations with occasional errors or omissions, demonstrating a basic understanding of variable representation.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to translate real-world scenarios into equations, showing limited understanding of variable representation.
Clarity and Completeness
Clarity and completeness of the scenarios and equations.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents scenarios and equations with exceptional clarity and detail, making it easy to understand the relationships and context.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents scenarios and equations with good clarity and detail, making it easy to understand the relationships and context.
Developing
2 PointsPresents scenarios and equations with some clarity, but may lack detail in certain areas, making it somewhat difficult to understand the relationships.
Beginning
1 PointsLacks clarity and detail, making it difficult to understand the scenarios, equations, and their relationships.
Scenario Variety and Complexity
Variety and complexity of the real-world scenarios chosen.
Exemplary
4 PointsChooses a diverse range of complex and challenging real-world scenarios, demonstrating creativity and broad application of equation modeling.
Proficient
3 PointsChooses a good variety of real-world scenarios with appropriate complexity, demonstrating effective application of equation modeling.
Developing
2 PointsChooses limited variety of real-world scenarios with some complexity, demonstrating basic application of equation modeling.
Beginning
1 PointsChooses very basic and limited real-world scenarios, showing minimal understanding of equation modeling.
Equation Quest Balancing
Focuses on the student's ability to refine game mechanics based on feedback to achieve balance between difficulty and player engagement.Testing and Feedback
Thoroughness of testing and feedback gathering from peers.
Exemplary
4 PointsConducts extensive testing with a diverse group of peers, gathering comprehensive and insightful feedback on various aspects of the game mechanics.
Proficient
3 PointsConducts thorough testing with peers, gathering detailed and relevant feedback on the game mechanics.
Developing
2 PointsConducts limited testing with peers, gathering some feedback on the game mechanics, but may lack depth.
Beginning
1 PointsConducts minimal testing with limited feedback from peers, showing insufficient effort in gathering feedback.
Feedback Analysis
Effectiveness of analyzing feedback and identifying areas for improvement.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional ability to analyze feedback and identify key areas for improvement, showing a deep understanding of game balancing principles.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively analyzes feedback and identifies relevant areas for improvement in the game mechanics.
Developing
2 PointsAnalyzes feedback and identifies some areas for improvement, but may miss key aspects of game balancing.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to analyze feedback effectively, showing limited understanding of game balancing principles.
Balancing Adjustments
Quality of adjustments made to balance difficulty and engagement, with justification.
Exemplary
4 PointsImplements innovative and well-justified adjustments that significantly enhance game balance and player engagement, demonstrating a deep understanding of game design principles.
Proficient
3 PointsImplements effective and well-justified adjustments that improve game balance and player engagement.
Developing
2 PointsImplements some adjustments with limited justification, showing some improvement in game balance and player engagement.
Beginning
1 PointsImplements minimal adjustments with poor justification, showing little improvement in game balance and player engagement.
Documentation
Clarity and completeness of documentation of changes and rationale.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides exceptionally clear, comprehensive, and insightful documentation of all changes made, with detailed rationale and evidence of improved game balance and engagement.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides clear and complete documentation of changes made, with a detailed rationale for each adjustment.
Developing
2 PointsProvides documentation of changes, but may lack detail or clarity in the rationale.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides minimal and unclear documentation of changes, with little to no rationale provided.