What?
The Centre for Human Genetics (CME) of KU Leuven and UZ Leuven launches a new game for children of the fifth and sixth year. The game allows children to learn about DNA and heredity in a playful way in class.
DNA, genetics, heredity, genes, mutations... These words ring a bell, but many don't know what they mean exactly. After all, the study of genetics is a relatively new branch of medicine that is developing very rapidly. There is still so much to discover, but we need scientists to do that, of course. Through initiatives such as these, we want to introduce children to the amazing world of genetics in a playful way and rouse their interest in STEM programmes in secondary education, for example.
The game not only teaches them the basics of genetics in a very simplified way, but also explains to them why we are all unique despite the many DNA similarities between people. In addition, the initiators want to make children enthusiastic about scientific subjects in secondary education and help them understand the importance of research.
The Center for Human Genetics has funded the development of the game, but to create it, we need your support! We want to have as many game boxes made as possible, so that we can make them available through many lending points and, better yet, donate games to all interested schools.
The more games we can have made, the more accessible the game becomes for schools!
Teaching packages about genetics are already available for secondary education, but this game is specifically aimed at a younger target group, that is years five and six of primary education. For the development of the game, the CME appealed to ‘De Aanstokerij’ from Leuven. Their creative team with experienced game developers set to work and have tested the concept on several classes already.
Pupils and teachers in the test groups have reacted enthusiastically. “The pupils are challenged to use their inquiring minds and thus take their first steps in the scientific world. I think it’s a big plus that it’s not only a thinking game, but that children also have to build a DNA helix with Lego, for example.” This is how we make it an exciting game for the pupils!
More info on our game website (in Dutch): www.kuleuven.be/kraakdednacode
