Genomics Digital Lab
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| Genomics Digital Lab | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Spongelab Interactive |
| Publisher(s) | Spongelab Interactive |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Mac OS X |
| Release | 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Educational |
| Mode(s) | Single player Online |
Genomics Digital Lab is a browser based series of educational games, simulations, and animations created by Spongelab Interactive. It is designed to teach high school students about biology including photosynthesis, respiration, transcription and translation. Genomics Digital Lab was released in 2009 and is available for purchase at home or school, or as a free 7 day trial.
Game Play
The user takes on the mission to save a dying plant. This is first done in the introductory level, where the user must identify the correct light, gas, and liquid conditions to make a plant thrive and survive.
In the intermediate level, the user enters each of the organelles (chloroplast, mitochondrion, and nucleus) where they must pass a variety of challenges. Each lesson has 3-4 levels, each starting with a tutorial, then getting progressively harder. In Lesson 2, the user is taken to the chloroplast where their goal is to make sugar using CO2 and sunlight by playing the Light Reaction and Calvin Cycle Game. In Lesson 3, the user is in the mitochondrion, where they have to convert the sugar into energy by playing the Glycolysis, Citric Acid Cycle, and Electron Transport Chain Game. Finally, in Lesson 4, the user is in the nucleus, where they use the energy to build proteins by playing the Transcription and Translation games. Once a user completes all 8 games, they become a Master of the Cell.
The Advanced level consists of 5 text based cases on real-world science topics.
Scoring
In each game, points are awarded in the biological currency relevant to that game. Both the current score and the overall high score (in number of sugars, ATP, or proteins) are recorded.
Additional Educational Features
- Plant Anatomy Explorer - includes whole plant anatomy, leaf structure, leaf tissue structure, plant cells, and major cell organelles
- Particle Map - a glossary of all the molecules, indexed by their organelle location with a brief description
- Notepad - online notebook where students can record their observations
Supportive Features for Teachers
Genomics Digital Lab was designed to be easily used in the classroom, and provides teachers with lesson plans, curriculum alignments, quizzes, worksheets. Teachers can also monitor their students’ progress online, in real-time.
Reception
Genomics Digital Lab won first place in the Interactive Media category in the 2008 National Science Foundation's International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge [1]. It was also published in the September 26, 2008 issue of Science [2]
In 2009, Genomics Digital Lab was awarded a World Summit Award for best e-content in the e-Science and Technology category [3].
In the News
- Proudfoot, Shannon (2009-05-03). "Video games evolving as serious educational tools". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
- Cowan, Danny (2009-07-07). "Genomics Digital Lab Uses Gaming to Teach Biology". Serious Games Source. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
References
(1) National Science Foundation - International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge."Special Report". September 25, 2008
(2) Zelkowitz, R. "2008 Visualization Challenge winners", Science, 321(5897):1768.
(3) "World Summit Award", April 27, 2009.