This report presents an open tuition initiative about the SUNBORN Project, which was developed by Constantin Brancusi Technical College Constantin Brancusi Petrila Romania, (15/09/2022 to 30/06/2023). The activities included a science professional (PhD student Alexandru Gogea). It was supported by Valahia University in Targoviste, Romania. This work was previously presented HERE.
Care: Students were involved in designing and developing a video game that promoted the importance of digital skills for a real-life problem. The creators of the game aimed to raise children’s awareness about the usefulness of solar energy and solar panels. Students who participated in the activities were from all grades 9,10,11 and 12. The creators of the game were Hanc Ionuț Cristian – class 12 A and Bunea Nicolae – class 12 A.
Know: Students used knowledge about using green energy in planet exploration. The competences that the students practiced were: reasoned decision-making, teamwork on multidisciplinary topics, programming and implementation of software applications.
Do: At the end, the students prepared the video HERE, which they presented in school. They carried out the activities in teams and their families were involved in purchasing the necessary equipment for building the game and with technical consultancy for using free software for creating games.
Findings related to the Open Schooling approach: The activity can be included in the curriculum in science, geography, physics, chemistry, biology classes and less in computer science classes, because the computer science curriculum does not address the topic of creating video games. But it was very attractive to students who were curious about the secret of building a video game. Open schooling could be the future of education for other teachers because it would empathize with students, motivating them in creating and using video games as a method of creative and digital development.
The results obtained by the students: The student Hanc Ionuț Cristian, managed to get the first place, at the regional phase Made for Europe and to present the game in the UK and Greece within the project Eramsus+ – Games Jam, which had as theme the creation of video games. And because within the college we set up an excellent robotics group, which includes the creators of the game, following the visit of European Commissioner Ferreira, we were invited to the World Bank headquarters and the Ministry of Digitalization to present our projects. There I was able to talk to Ion, Mr. President’s AI assistant. We presented the project online at GUESS Indonesia and physically at the Science on Stage Festival!