Video Games in Science

NPR did a story on the video game Crayon Physics Deluxe. While the game appears simple at the start you quickly realize the power behind it. You create crayon drawings that behave according to the laws of physics. The potential here is huge in a physics or science class. See the video demonstration below.



Here are some free web based games that use physics in the same way Crayon Physics Deluxe does.
Miniclip has a game called Magic Pen which is a simple version of Crayon Physics Deluxe.
Fantastic Contraption acts as a physics emulator.
Line Rider looks like you are drawing on a sketchpad with a pencil. Physics are applied and a cult following is on You Tube sharing game clips.

These games led me to some other video games that might be useful in science.
While Crayon Physics is only for PC currently Phun Physics is available for both PC and Mac. The big difference between Phun Physics and Crayon Physics is Phun is a "sandbox" where you have a blank canvass to experiment. Crayon makes you complete the levels to use the "sandbox" feature.



Little Big Planet is for Playstation 3, you are a sock trying get through levels of the giant planet around you. This game is more collaborative than the physics games above. Multiple players need to help each other complete the levels. The laws of physics apply to the world you are in as well as the interactions of the teammates. The game has both a game mode and "sandbox" mode. Any level you create in the "sandbox" mode can be shared.



In this video the developers talk about the features within the game.



Crazy Machines is similar to Incredible Machines it gives the student (scientist) an objective and supplies which are used to create a solution.



Crayon Physics will become an App on the iPhone but until that happens check out the Trace App on the iPhone, Physics in your pocket.

Video Games providing 21st Century Skills?
Problem-solving
Communication
Higher-order thinking
Creativity
Collaboration

The above games deal with physics but if you are teaching oceanography you need to check out Endless Ocean for Wii. You scuba dive through the ocean finding and archiving different types of fish.