Generative Generations: Adapting Culturally Rooted Science Ideas to Video Game Design

Authors

Elizabeth LaPensee, Michigan State UniversityFollow
Christie Poitra, Native American Institute, Michigan State UniversityFollow
Angela Kolonich, CREATE for STEM Institute, Michigan State UniversityFollow
Estrella Torrez, Michigan State UniversityFollow

Abstract

Generative Generations is a workshop kit to facilitate Indigenous youth in designing games that include culturally rooted science ideas. As an extension of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM), the workshop kit interweaves Indigenous pedagogical practices with paper game prototyping to support engaging, hands-on, collaborative, and culturally relevant ideation of games. During a pilot study held during a summer camp with the Indigenous Youth Empowerment Program, youth integrated their own culturally rooted science ideas inspired by prompts from the kit. The pilot study demonstrated a need for additional support in expanding knowledge, which informs future modifications to the workshop kit.

Recommended Citation

LaPensee, Elizabeth; Poitra, Christie; Kolonich, Angela; and Torrez, Estrella (2020) "Generative Generations: Adapting Culturally Rooted Science Ideas to Video Game Design," Journal of Indigenous Research: Vol. 8: Iss. 2020, Article 9.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/kicjir/vol8/iss2020/9