Smithsonian Science

curriculum-aligned science learning games for young learners

genre

various

subject

science

platform

mobile, web

audience

adolescents, young learners

art

Filament Games has developed six digital learning games for the Smithsonian Science Education Center, each designed to teach young learners and adolescents about a variety of domains within the sciences. Covering topics like physics, adaptation, and water conservation, the SSEC games library serves the instructional needs of a formal education environment while also supporting the engagement needs of informal learning environments like homes and libraries.

The Webby Awards

2016 BEST MOBILE SITES & APP FINALIST - MORPHY

The Webby Awards

2018 PUBLIC SERVICE & ACTIVISM GAMES FINALIST - AQUATION

Morphy

In Morphy, players take on the role of Morphy, an alien who has crash-landed on an unknown planet and needs to find his missing crew members. The game teaches players about animal adaptation through challenging platforming obstacles that must be overcome by scanning animals whose traits are specialized to their environments. The scanned traits can then be added to Morphy’s abilities, empowering the player to successfully navigate the platforming obstacles in the game.

BumperDucks

Developed to help players better understand the relationship between mass and acceleration, BumperDucks tasks players with safely navigating ducks across a pond, avoiding perilous obstacles like turtles, logs, and frogs along the way. Through engaging gameplay mechanics, this wacky and playful physical science title reinforces what happens when two obstacles collide and how mass impacts an object's acceleration.

Shutterbugs: Wiggle & Stomp

Shutterbugs: Wiggle and Stomp is a cheery and accessible puzzle game that helps players practice describing motion while photographing rare animals at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. By snapping pictures of animals on the move, players learn fundamental reading comprehension skills, practicing reading and verb identification while also gaining exposure to various animal behaviors and characteristics.

Disaster Detector

In Disaster Detector, players help Smithsonville and other cities predict and prepare for natural disasters using tools to both make predictions and mitigate the effects of those disasters. Offering a wide array of varied information and scenarios, Disaster Detector teaches players how to analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events such as tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, and more.

Showbiz Safari

In Showbiz Safari, players help movie director Walrus pick actors based on the traits that best fit the movie role. Which furry mammal will get the most wanted role in the blockbuster film “Paws”? Which water loving actor will get the leading role in “Swimmin’ in the Rain”? Showbiz Safari is a life science game that teaches players about the diversity of plants and animals in different habitats.

Aquation: Freshwater Access Game

Designed to raise awareness and literacy around issues of water conservation, Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game offers players a global perspective on water resource issues. As certain parts of the planet struggle to maintain freshwater access, players make strategic choices to build pipelines, conduct research, set policy, and allocate resources so that no one region becomes completely arid. By the end of the game, players gain a deeper understanding of the ways that wealth and water have to be carefully managed to solve the world’s water crises.

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Filament Games has this rare constellation of artists, game designers, project leaders, user-interface designers, and programmers/engineers that combines with a sense of playfulness, curiosity, and wonder.