Sector Focus: Skills & Training
‘It allows
Twinkl’s new AR game will shine a light on STEM
The online educational publisher Twinkl has created the world’s first multiplayer augmented reality (AR) game that teaches Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. ARchitect can be played by up to
four people and invites players to create structures using different materials such as wood and ice, while facing challenges and adverse conditions. The game introduces concepts
such as structural integrity and provides a platform to learn real- world physics as players create towers, bridges and boats in a 3D world created with AR. Twinkl showcased ARchitect
exclusively at the Bett education technology show, which ran from the 23 to 26 January at the ExCeL in London. “ARchitect was inspired by the challenge often used in schools to build the tallest tower out of marshmallows and uncooked spaghetti,” explained Pete Casson, Chief Technology Officer at Twinkl.
“The game hasn’t been designed
to replace such activities but to be used alongside them. The main benefit of using ARchitect is that it allows children to build things that would otherwise be impossible, such as the biggest tower in the world made of wood or a bridge made entirely of ice, all in 3D. “They can then experiment with
how these structures withstand different weights and conditions and how the different materials interact. “The game provides a foundation
for the methods used in real-life construction and engineering, on the same scale and with the same materials. “ARchitect was created to
provide an exhilarating experience, to inspire children to explore STEM subjects further in the future.” Designed for children in KS2 but
also suitable for KS1, ARchitect supports different lessons and curriculum aims in science, maths and design technology.
ARchitect supports curriculum aims in a number of KS2 and KS1 subjects
It can be played by one to four
players at once, meaning children can work together or challenge each other to create different structures, which encourages collaboration and communication. As well as being showcased at
Bett, ARchitect became available to download for free from the Apple App Store from January.
children to
build things that would otherwise be impossible’
The game has been created
using Apple’s new iOS 12 operating system. “Twinkl has explored AR in the
classroom for some time now, seeing its potential as a technology that is becoming increasingly accessible, has a low cost, is easy to use and has huge scope in terms of how it can be used in lessons,” added Pete. “We believe technology can be
used to aid learning in all subject areas and alongside a range of teaching methods and styles. Twinkl always works with the teaching community on any product we design and we will continue to work with educators and children as we explore how augmented reality can be used to enhance learning.” Twinkl, with a global HQ based in Sheffield, is an online educational publisher and creates learning resources used by educators across the world.
Visit:
www.twinkl.co.uk/reality Winter 2019 CHAMBERconnect 71
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