8th Grade  Project 1 week

"Score Quest: Math Meets Game Design"

Daniel B
CCSS.Math.Content.8.EE.B.5
CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.A.3
CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.B.4
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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to immerse students in the practical application of proportional and linear relationships through the design of a video game scoring system. By engaging in this hands-on activity, students will gain a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts as they explore how these relationships influence game mechanics and balance. This project encourages students to think critically and creatively, fostering a meaningful connection between mathematics and real-world scenarios.

Learning goals

Students will develop a deeper understanding of proportional and linear relationships by designing and modeling a video game scoring system. They will learn to interpret and construct linear functions, identify unit rates as slopes, and compare different proportional relationships. Through hands-on experimentation, students will enhance their ability to analyze how changes in variables affect game balance, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Standards
  • CCSS.Math.Content.8.EE.B.5 - Graph proportional relationships, interpreting the unit rate as the slope of the graph. Compare two different proportional relationships represented in different ways.
  • CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.A.3 - Interpret the equation y = mx + b as defining a linear function, whose graph is a straight line; give examples of functions that are not linear.
  • CCSS.Math.Content.8.F.B.4 - Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x, y) values, including reading these from a table or from a graph. Interpret the rate of change and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models, and in terms of its graph or a table of values.

Products

Students will develop a video game scoring system that incorporates proportional relationships and linear functions. They will create a presentation to showcase their models, explaining the mathematical concepts and their impact on game mechanics. Additionally, students will maintain a reflective journal to document their evolving understanding of these mathematical principles throughout the project.

Launch

Begin the project with a hands-on activity where students play a simple video game and analyze its scoring system. Discuss how scores are calculated and identify any proportional or linear relationships involved. Then, challenge students to brainstorm how changes in these relationships might impact game balance and player experience. This will spark curiosity and set the stage for designing their own scoring systems.

Exhibition

Students will present their video game scoring system models in a showcase event, where they will explain the proportional and linear relationships integrated into their designs. They will demonstrate how these mathematical concepts influence game balance and mechanics, using visual aids such as graphs and tables to support their explanations. This exhibition will be an opportunity for students to engage with peers, teachers, and possibly community members, fostering a deeper understanding through discussion and feedback.