The Science of Play - C4 Public Lectures

Explore the intersection of video games, science, and education in this thought-provoking lecture by Kurt Squire and Constance Steinkuehler. Delve into how popular culture, particularly video games, shapes public perceptions of science and scientific thinking. Discover the innovative work of the Games+Learning+Society lab at WID, which aims to increase public understanding and interest in science through interactive digital games. Learn about their interdisciplinary approach to creating games based on actual scientific concepts, practices, and dispositions for the general public. Examine the current landscape of commercial and educational video games, and understand the R&D model used to develop games for science education. Gain insights into the efficacy of these games for public understanding, especially among children. Reflect on the role of "real science" in public imagination and consider the potential future directions for science education through gaming. This lecture covers topics such as scientific literacy, leveraging scientific content in games, field trips, game learning, and the impact of games on higher education and society at large.