Using Games to Save the World

Summary

Day 2 PowerPoint deck
Games for Good - example games https://aka.ms/G4Conline
NOTE – the Games for Change site (https://www.gamesforchange.org/games) includes games across all platforms, but the link above filters to show just online/web games – students may not have access to play all games
COVID Simulation example No Social Distancing - https://makecode.com/_0dW3KLHX4cL9 (for teacher)
COVID Simulation example With Social Distancing - https://makecode.com/_TecJk15h7i86 (for teacher)
Exploring COVID Data Visualization Sites

Students will develop an understanding about how games can be used to further social good causes
Students will create their own COVID social distancing simulation in MakeCode Arcade
Students will also explore various data visualization websites to visualize local data and see how data visualization apps work

Introduce non-profit Games for Good
Have student explore the different types of social good games listed on the site
Lead a discussion about the types of games they saw and how those games tied into a social good theme

Review what simulations do
Examine a simple simulation demonstrating the difference between social distancing and no social distancing for the COVID-19 virus
Task students to create their own COVID simulation using MakeCode Arcade
- Students can choose whether they create a program that simulates what happens when people do not distance, when they do social distance, or both
- Students can work independently or with a partner
- Students have quite a lot of flexibility and freedom in how they represent their simulation (does not have to adhere to the example given)

Discuss how data visualization helps people make decisions and tell stories
Direct students to the Exploring COVID Data Visualization Sites page and task them with completing the tasks and questions in Section A
Discuss how data can be used to create simulations that policy makers can use to make decisions
Direct students to the Exploring COVID Data Visualization Sites page and task them with completing the tasks and questions in Section B