Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will understand basic engineering principles through gameplay in Trail Makers. They will learn about building structures, problem-solving, and the importance of testing their designs.
Materials and Prep
- Access to the Trail Makers video game
- A computer or gaming console
- Notebook and pencil for sketching ideas and taking notes
Before starting the lesson, ensure the student is familiar with the basic controls of the game and understands the concept of building and testing vehicles in Trail Makers.
Activities
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Building Challenge:
The student will create a vehicle using the building tools in Trail Makers. They can choose different components and must think about how their design will work in the game environment.
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Testing and Modifying:
After building their vehicle, the student will take it for a test drive in the game. They should observe how it performs and note any issues. Then, they will modify their design to improve performance.
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Reflection and Discussion:
Once the student has completed their modifications, they will reflect on what worked and what didn’t. They can write down their thoughts in their notebook and discuss them with you.
Talking Points
- "What do you think is the most important part of your vehicle design? Why?"
- "When you tested your vehicle, what surprised you about how it performed?"
- "If you could change one thing about your design, what would it be?"
- "Why do you think engineers need to test their designs before making them for real?"
- "Can you think of a real-world example where testing a design helped improve it?"