Games in Education 2016

littleBits have taken the Maker world by storm as they provide an easy way to understand circuits and allow young minds to tap into their imagination and make functional and inventive creations. Recently, the bitcraft mod entered the scene, allowing minecraft players and littleBit fans to merge the physical and virtual worlds. Items in minecraft can trigger real world activity like lighting an LED when a light is lit in the game or sounding an alarm when someone enters your minecraft home. Likewise, input on the littleBits can trigger actions in the game like pressing a button in the physical world to open a door in minecraft.

This presentation will provide an overview of how these two tools can enhance student learning and provide opportunities for students to make connections related to electricity and engineering. The presenters will discuss how we can go beyond this idea to empower learners to get excited about STEM through the intersection of gaming and making.