The Cure

a scientific discovery game in the class

@genegame

The Cure: A scientific game- Exploration of data related to cancer prognosis

- Genes whose expression is modified in patients are proposed

- Players explore the combinatorial issue

The Cure: A scientific game

Players can:

- read text extracted from genomic databases

- make hypotheses

The Cure: adaptation to the class

- Students are encouraged to explore real the genomic data

- Creation of a “second level” allowing free creation of decision trees

The game is fun, motivating“What is very nice is that we have access to the real data base of searchers, and that we know that we are actually really helping people to search for solutions for cancers.”

Intersection of game based learning and learning through research

Results obtained by students

Functions identified:

apoptosis, calcium binding, cell cycle, DNA binding, RNA binding, DNA replication, cell growth, Tyrosine kinase receptors, blood vessel growth and gene expression regulation, cell membrane structure.

Potential for collective intelligence as all did not find the same functions.

Adaptations proposed/inspired by students

- Improved description/tutorial

- feedback on functions associated with each level

- creation of a rubric

Further developments

- Social aspect (engagement and collective intelligence)

- Improve tutorial

- Identify partners to assess learning transfer and retention

- Open badges to validate work performed

TeamBen Good (Scripps, CA, USA)

→ Creation of the game

Antoine Taly (Université Paris Descartes)

→ Adaptation to teaching

Pierre-Luc Satin (FDV Bachelor program, Paris Descartes)

→ test / game design feedback

Matthieu Chavent (Oxford, UK)

→ preparation of tests in Oxford

Marc Baaden (CNRS)

→ tests