Gamified STEM Learning

Our Solution

Taking the title ‘Siemens Flight Lab’, our collaboration would produce a resource to meet three key criteria: Educate, inspire, and entertain. With the connection of these themes inside one platform, the project would cover multiple classroom requirements:

Educators could utilise the resource as a teaching material, linking to the curriculum for Maths and Physics.

Students would be given the chance to learn about the history, and innovation of aviation, whilst considering the future of sustainable flight. STEM knowledge could then be applied to design and digitally build, an aircraft – considering environmental impacts in order to complete a set mission.

Learners and further audiences had the opportunity to participate in a fast and fun arcade style game, testing their understanding on the principles of flight by selecting the correct thrust, angle and duration required to land in an exact spot.

Introduced within a ‘futuristic’ environment, this project would be positioned as a narrative where test flights are run as flight simulations, operated by the user. Children would remain the target demographic, supported by the animated Infinity STARship figurehead robot – a graphic device they may have already had a touchpoint with.

The initial interactive learning resource was storyboarded, ensuring adherence to guidelines set out within the National Curriculum. Research centred on the factors affecting the performance of flight, dependant on build. With the commitment to offering the most informative yet engaging immersive environment, a selection of identifiable plane models were chosen to mirror real experiences the young people may have had.

TMC’s 3D artists sculpted and textured 12 sets of individual wings, bodies, and engines. Replicas of metals and paint were layered over the models to give an authentic finish, supporting that real-world, immersive experience, before the final build of the flying environments that embodied a wealth of different textures and surfaces.

In addition, the concept included ‘People Powered Flights’ that used animated characters, and carbon neutral aviation options, based on battery power models. 64 models were crafted by the 3D team, to offer users complete control over the individual components to build their plane – each having their own performance metrics.

Leveraging insights from modern gaming.

Additional emphasis on educational gaming was manifested through the ‘Flight Arcade’ format. Understanding the need to pinpoint key learning topics of thrust, level, and angle trajectory, the short form game was created.

Users could adjust these variables through an on-screen platform and view the planes performance when it connected with the landing strip. With numerous outcomes available, our Digital team tested and calculated all possible scenarios, ensuring success regardless of the parameters chosen.

Keen to emphasise sustainability and educate the user on why it is important, a ‘Future of Flight’ presentation was included at the end of the mission. Animators built in the recognisable STARship robot as the narrator, providing a digestible resource on the steps needed towards reaching a more environmentally friendly air space.

Teacher notes were also created to ensure the presentation was classroom friendly, giving anyone in an educational role, insight into delivering the content.

With Siemens’ global commitment to sustainability and focus on education within STEM, ensuring there are engaging education opportunities for younger generations is critical.

TMC actively collaborate with organisations who are looking to engage with the next generation through inspiring and innovative new methods. Creating bespoke, gamified solutions, to empower young people to create their own positive impact.