GameWize Science

Use Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint to spice up lessons. Bring even the most hesitant learner out of their lazy daze. Invigorate your classroom with a learning-based, competitive enthusiasm that will have students begging to play (and learn) some more. Tailor each game to meet the needs of your unique classroom environment. Play as a whole class activity, or set up stations in the classroom for partner or small group competitions. Modify game components to make it relevant to current topics of study, and create a memorable learning experience for yourself and your students.

Includes 15 games!!

See below for the list of games, a brief description, and sample image from each game.

#1 Four Across

Students are divided into two teams. One is “Team X”; the other is “Team O”. Teams try to answer questions on a given topic. If they are correct, they call out a cell location to place an X or O for their team. X’s and O’s must be stacked on top of previous X’s and O’. The first team to successfully place four of their team’s markers in a row either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins the game.

#2 KaBlam!

The KaBlam board randomly displays numbers in colored squares. Numbers in the squares range in value from 1 to 20. There are also three special squares: the ½ square, the times 2 square, and the black KaBlam square. Teams answer teacher-prepared questions. For each correct response, they earn the chance to gain points from the KaBlam board, loose points (if they hit the ½ space), or get KaBlammed and start over at zero. As the game progresses through three rounds of play, there is an increased probability of a team being Kablammed.

#3 Stop and Go

Each time a team correctly answers a question, they roll a six-sided die to determine the number of times the traffic light changes. If the traffic light ends on green, the team earns 4 points. If it lands on yellow, they receive 2 points. If it lands on red, they get one point. Points earned are recorded by placing an x in the appropriate cells of the spreadsheet. The first team to cross the finish line wins the game.

#4 Build a Bug

Students are divided into four teams and assigned a “bug” to build. Teams answer questions on a given topic. If they are correct, the team rolls a die and then clicks on the corresponding number for their bug. The first team to finish building their bug, wins the game.

#5 Concentration

Teams take turns revealing what is hidden underneath cards by turning over two cards at a time. If the information “matches”, then they get a point for making a pair. Matched pairs could include pictures and their names, elements, body parts, etc. If the revealed pair doesn’t match, then the information is hidden and the next team gets a turn. Teams “concentrate” to remember what is hidden beneath the cards that have been revealed but not matched. The winning team is the one with the most correct matches.

#6 Connect 5

Two teams of students take turns answering questions. Each time a team correctly answers a question, they choose one of the yellow numbered circles. After clicking on it, the numbered circle will move to fill in a circle on the game board at the top of the slide. The first team to earn five yellow circles in a row either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally wins the game.

#7 Face the Facts

Teams select a topic and money value from the game board. The higher the money value, the more difficult the question. If the team answers the question correctly, they are awarded the money value for that question. If the team is incorrect, another team gets a chance to answer the question. Play continues until the game board is cleared or until time is called.

#8 Hot Stuff

Student teams answer questions on a given topic. If they are correct, click an arrow on the team’s thermometer and their temperature will rise. If they are incorrect, give another team an opportunity to answer and prove how “hot” they are.

#9 The Old Shell Game

Teams answer displayed questions. The first team to answer correctly, clicks a “shell” in order to determine the number of points earned for the team for answering the question.

#10 On Target

Teams answer displayed questions. The first team to answer correctly, clicks on one of six different “darts” to throw at a target. Points earned are determined by where the dart hits the target.

#11 Smarter Than an Nth Grader

Students answer ten questions starting with topics learned in lower grade levels and progressing to topics covered during their current school year.

#12 Tic Tac Toe

Students are divided into two teams, the X team and the O team. They then answer questions to earn an X or an O for their team on a Tic Tac Toe board. The first team to earn three X’s in a row or O’s in a row either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins the game.

#13 Tiger or Treasure

Teams answer displayed questions. The first team to answer correctly chooses between the treasure (guaranteed points) or risks clicking on one of the doors (more points or the “tiger”, no points).

#14 Varooom!

Student teams try to answer questions on a given topic. If they are correct, click a circle the same color as the team’s car. If they are incorrect, give another team an opportunity to answer and advance their car toward the finish line.

#15 Who Wants to be a Zillionaire

Students progress through increasingly difficult multiple choice questions. For each question they have three helps available:
• 50/50 eliminates two incorrect answers
• Ask the Class allows the contestant to poll the class for the correct answer
• A third button links to an Internet site or other tool to help them find the answer