Looking for a unique way to engage students in math? Encourage your students to enter this year’s K-12 Game-a-thon challenge.
In this national challenge, students will design, build, and share a game that features creative and unusual solutions to mathematical problems. Game-a-thon helps students explore math outside of the traditional classroom environment and allows for a whole lot of fun!
Whether this is your kids’ first or fourth time entering the competition, make sure to explore the K-12 Game-a-thon website. It gives a step-by-step explanation on how to enter, contains example videos, and provides other great resources. Before you get started though, check out the answers to some frequently asked questions below.
There are three steps to participating:
All students in grades K-12 in the United States are welcome and encouraged to participate. Students will also need a “coach” to participate. This coach can be a teacher, parent, or other adult over the age of 18.
A Game-a-thon coach serves as a mentor and resource to student teams or individuals entering Game-a-thon. Also, coaches upload the students’ video recording to YouTubeTM, assist them in collecting their media release forms, and complete the online application for them.
Absolutely not! Game-a-thon is open to any and all K-12 students.
Either! You’ll need a coach whether you’re part of a team or entering as an individual. If you’re participating as a team, make sure the grade levels of all team members fall within one of these ranges:
No, sorry.
No, each team or individual may only submit one entry. Make sure to play-test and improve your game so it's the best it can be!
Nope! It can be a board game. It can also be a card, computer, outdoor, or other type of game. Anything goes so long as it features a mathematical concept and can be explained and demonstrated in your video.
A team of educators, mathematicians and game designers (including JiJi), will review and evaluate all submissions. Games will be evaluated based on the following: use of math themes (40%), creative game design/ material use (30%), originality (20%), and video presentation (10%).
July 16, 2018! It might be a good idea to give yourself a bit more time, in case you encounter any trouble uploading your video to YouTubeTM or submitting your application.
The answer is most likely on the K-12 Game-a-thon website! If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, send an email to gameathon@mindresearch.org. We’ll get back to you ASAP.
Hungry Alligators, featured in the 2016 Hall of Fame, allows players to explore expressions and equations while slipping and sliding toward an "alligator pond." It was created by second grader, Alana, of Pinellas County Schools.
This year's K-12 Game-a-thon is sure to bring lots of creativity and fun! What will your students come up with?
YouTube™ is a registered trademark of Google, Inc. and not affiliated with this challenge.
Kelsey Skaggs was the Communications Manager at MIND Education. She enjoys highlighting the work of colleagues and partners who champion MIND's mission.
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