How Kids Inform the Development of a Science Game

Down With Food is a game designed to teach upper-elementary school students about the intricacies of the human digestive system. Using design-based research, we document the process by which children’s motivations for playing, as well as their interactions with and understanding of the game, influences the game design and drives further user testing. We detail the misconceptions players have in early prototypes, discuss the overarching principles of these misconceptions, and propose design solutions to address these misconceptions. Specifically, we redesigned the user interface and graphics to address visual misinterpretations and are adding a narrative layer to help children contextualize what is happening in the mini-games with the corresponding biological functions and processes.