Marking Period 2 Schedule

Week of November 12-16
12- Begin schedule for MP2, email mentor
13- Absent
14- Comment on blog, Finish Schedule for MP 2
15- Begin AutoCad drawing of game, Calendar due
16- Comment on blog
Week of November 19-21
19- Work on Top View of Board Game in AutoCad
20- Comment on blog, Continue AutoCad rendering of Board Game
21- Add materials and dimensions on Top View of Game
Week of November 26-30
26- Email mentor, Begin rendering of Flat view of box
27- Comment on blog, Continue AutoCad work of box graphics
28- Continue work on graphics of box
29- Comment on blog, Begin in AutoCad the drawing of game characters
30- Won’t be in class- setting up for Winter Ball
Week of December 3-7
3- Continue rendering of game characters, Comment on blog
4- Resume with graphics of box
5- Continue work on graphics of box
6- Email mentor to inform of progress, Comment on blog, Finish box design in AutoCad
7- Won’t be in school, going to Disney World
Week of December 10-14
10- Won’t be in school, going to Disney World
11- Begin bid process, Comment on blog
12- Work on bid; locate three to five companies to get quotes for the various needed materials. Fill out inquiry sheets
13- Work on bid; choose cheapest company, complete the requisition form.
14- Comment on blog, complete bid forms. Finish inquiry forms, requisition forms and purchase order forms, email mentor
Week of December 17-21
17- Begin Math/Science Analysis, begin figuring out probability.
18- Comment on blog, Continue with Math/Science Analysis
19- Developmental Work Due, Bid process work due
20- Research Science concepts addressed in project
21- Research mathematical concepts addressed in project, Comment on blog
Week of December 24-28
-Winter Break. No School.
Week of January 1-4
2- Work on Math/Science Analysis, Email mentor
3-Begin writing report for Math/Science Analysis
4- Continue report for Math/Science Analysis, Comment on blog
Week of January 7-11
7- Upload all appropriate pictures into Math/Science Analysis, Email mentor
8- Begin compiling Mentor Contacts, Comment on blog
9- Continue Mentor Contacts
10- Finish Mentor Contacts, Math/Science Analysis Due
11- Begin Outline for Formal Progress Update, Comment on blog
Week of January 14-18
14- Finish Outline for Formal Progress Update, Email mentor
15- Practice Presentation, Comment on blog
16- Practice Presentation
17- Formal Progress Updates Begin
18- Presentations
Week of January 21-25
21- No School
22- Presentations
23- Comment on blog, Mentor Contacts Due
24- Presentations
25- Comment on blog

Model

Selection-Rejection Report

To solve the problem of teenagers not knowing enough about nutrition, I designed three separate alternative solutions for a board game to teach and test the nutritional knowledge of these teenagers. Below are the three designs which I am considering, along with how each game design is played and the pros and cons of each solution.

The first solution for my board game is a square board where the path is traveling along the edge of the board in a clockwise direction. (See above) Players land on either a question space or an activity space. When a question is answered correctly, they must collect a piece of food and continue collecting food until their plate is full. The board will fold vertically in the middle. It will be packaged in a box containing all pieces needed for play. The box with be designed with the same graphics as are on the board game.

The pros to this game design include many different graphics. This is appealing to look at and gives the players different things to look at. Also, the graphics used are made up of food from the food groups which are most readily eaten among teenagers. There are two different categories of cards, one for activities and one for questions. This makes the game more interactive for the player, making it more fun. Another pro to the design of Solution 1 is that it can be easily understood. Players can easily recognize that when they land on a certain space, they must pick up a card from the corresponding pile.

The only possible cons I can see at this point include the time of play varying greatly. The game could last a long time or a very short time, depending on how much knowledge the players have about nutrition. Also, the sides of the game seem to be cluttered by graphics while the middle of the board is vacant.

The second solution for my board game is a square board where the path is a winding trail. Players must travel the board game from start to finish, while answering questions about fast food, food in supermarkets and general nutrition. The board will fold vertically in the middle. It will be packaged in a box containing all the needed pieces for play. The box will be designed using the same graphics as are on the board.

Pros to this design include a unique path to follow (see design above). Also, the words healthy choices are successful at grabbing attention of the players. The game is overall appealing to look at, whether it be the board as a whole or the individual graphics. Also, this game is easy to play. The players pick up the question cards corresponding to the spaces on the game path.

Possible cons to this game include lots of empty space on the game. Also, the time of play for the game is too short. There are too many spaces on the game board. Finally, the graphics are all facing different directions, making it confusing to look at.

The third solution for my board game design is a triangle shape with colored spaces. (See above) Players travel clockwise around the board, answering questions corresponding to the colors of the spaces on the board. When a player gets a question correct, they collect a color piece. A player winds when they collect all five color pieces. The board will fold vertically in the middle. It will be packaged in a box containing all needed pieces for play. The box will be designed using different shapes and colors as well as the name of the game.

Pros to this design include a unique board shape. Also, the design incorporates many colors, making it very attention grabbing.

I can see several cons in this design. First, the colors don’t all mix very well together. There are no graphics, making it less appealing to look at. Also, all of the game spaces are different shapes and sizes. Finally, there are too many categories, making it very difficult to land on each color to collect the pieces.

For my final solution, I chose Solution One. When I asked various members in my class which design they found most appealing, they unanimously chose solution one. Also, when checking the specifications for the board game, this design met every specification. Solution One is the design which has the most pros, and the least cons. Also, this was the only solution where the problem was fixable. I can be sure to make the questions of varying difficulties so the time of play won’t be too long. Also, I’ll ensure to include questions straight from the text books from a nutrition class for middle school students. If I had picked a different solution as my final game board design, I wouldn’t have been able to fix the problems pointed out in the con list as easily. I would have had to make major design changes in each solution. As I go on, I could easily make small changes in my game if needed. I feel that for now, this is the best solution to my problem.

Solution # 3

How to Play:
Start at the spot with the arrow. Roll the die and follow the game in a clockwise direction. Go around the triangular shaped game board, answering questions which correspond with the colors on the game board. When you answer a question correct, you receive a color piece. The winner is the first player to collect one of each color piece.

Solution # 2

How to Play:
Everyone chooses a game piece and begins on the START box. Players roll die in turn, and answer questions corresponding question cards to the spaces they land on. The questions pertain either to home cooked meals, fast food items or items found in a supermarket. You can’t move on to a new space until you correctly answer a question. First person to reach the Finish box first wins.

Solution # 1

How to Play:

Everyone chooses a game piece and begins at the GO spot. Players roll dice in turn, answering corresponding question cards to the spaces they land on. When you get a question correct, you keep the card. You must obtain one of every card in order to win. These cards represent the food groups and other important aspects of nutrition. Continue going around the board game in a clockwise direction until the first person collects all six cards.

brainstorming

Above are three brainstorming designs for my board game. In each game, you move through the game board, answering questions about nutrition and healthy choices. Below is a more detailed brainstorming page about one specific board game design.

Listed on this brainstorming page are possible game pieces and a simple outline of how to play the game. Below are three brainstorming ideas for the design of my board game. In the first, you go around the board, answering questions and you have to collect the different cards before you can win. In the second brainstorming idea, you follow the path answering questions until the first person reaches the end point. In the third design, again you follow the path until the first person reaches the ending spot.

Schedule

Schedule:

9/24: Continue AutoCad work of board game
9/25: Continue AutoCad work of board game
9/26: Scan Alternative Solutions and Brainstorming drawings, Email/Call mentor to tell progress
9/27: Draw alternative solutions on AutoCad
9/28: Draw alternative solutions on AutoCad
10/1: Draw alternative solutions on AutoCad
10/2: Write outline for Informal Progress Update Meeting
10/3: Informal Progress Update Meeting, Brainstorming, Alternative Solutions and Testing Procedures Due on Blog
10/4: Call mentor to consult about solution, Research game pieces from different board games
10/5: Select final solution, finalize AutoCad drawing of solution
10/9: Brainstorm and sketch different game pieces
10/10: Design game pieces on AutoCad
10/11: Make 3-d models of game pieces, email mentor
10/12: Continue making model of game pieces
10/15: Finish modeling game pieces
10/16: Begin model of game board
10/17: Work on model
10/18: Work on model
10/19: Work on model
10/22: Finish model, take picture of model for webblog
10/23: Write Selection-Rejection report, email mentor
10/24: Locate pictures to upload to webblog
10/25: Begin outline for Formal Progress Update Presentation
10/26: Finish outline for formal Presentation, practice presentation
10/29: Prepare for presentation, ensure blog is up to date, email mentor, practice presentation
10/30: Practice presentation
10/31: Mentor contacts and model due, selection-rejection report due on blog and 3 copies of outline for formal presentation due, practice presentation
11/1: Formal Progress Update Presentations
11/2: Formal Progress Update Presentations
11/5: Formal Progress Update Presentations

C.A.F.E. Q.U.E.

Cost
o School already has most materials needed
o Computers equipped with software
o Printer capable of printing color board game
o Cardboard is inexpensive
Aesthetics
o Finished product
o Smooth texture
o Bright colors
o Look like modern board games
o Graphics appealing to the players
Function
o Test knowledge of nutrition
o Educate about good nutrition habits at a young age
o Foldable for storage
Ergonomics
o Game pieces easily manipulated
o Game cards at accessible locations on game board
Quality
o Best quality
o Well made board and pieces
o Won’t fall apart or break after a few plays
User
o Middle School Students
o Young
o Uneducated yet think they know everything
o Naïve
o Short attention spans
Environment
o Played in classrooms
o Played at home

Testing Procedures & Expectations

Expectations

The final product is expected to be in the form of a professional board game that is ready to play. It will be equipped with all playing pieces and cards, as well as a set of directions for easy play. To test the "Healthy Choices" board game, I will have a group of middle school students play the game in their Family and Consumer Sciences class at Howell Memorial Middle School. After playing, I will have each of the participants answer a few questions pertaining to what they thought of the game. Then, I will have a group of students from M.A.S.T. test the game and give their feedback.

Testing Procedures

How to Set Up and Play Game:
1. Locate flat surface to play on that is clear of any obstructions
2. Take board game, game pieces and directions out of box
3. Read instructions thoroughly
4. Each player roll die
5. Whoever gets highest number goes first, then go in clockwise order
6. As each player lands on game pieces, read and answer questions corresponding with piece you landed on
7. Continue answering questions and going around board until first person collects all of the food group cards
8. At end of game, each player must fill out questionnaire

Limitations

The game board must:
• Be approximately 20” x 20”
• Be foldable to fit in box, approximately 10” x 20”
• Be affordable to construct, not costing more than $50.00 to the consumer
•Not take longer than 1 hour to play
•Be able to accommodate 2-6 players at a time
The package must:
• Be approximately 21” x 11” x 2 ½”
•Be durable
•Have best quality construction

Specifications

The game board must:
• Clearly educate about healthy nutrition habits
• Be easily understood by middle school students
• Include directions for easy play
• Include all game pieces
The package must:
• Clearly illustrate what is being sold
• Display design principles
• Be easy to open
• Be appealing to look at
The questions must:
• Be testing knowledge of nutrition
• Be taken from material in middle-school Nutrition textbooks

Design Brief

To design, produce and package a board game to teach young teens about healthy nutrition habits to be used in an educational setting

Background Information

Nutrition is an aspect of life that affects all human beings walking the earth. No matter what country you may be in, people are always worrying about their health and how to improve it. In America, with the rise of the fast food industry, cheap prices and “dollar menus” are clouding our ability to see the lack of nutritional value in this food. Not to mention how convenient fast food may be for families on the go.
According to the statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics, 19 % of girls between the ages of 12 to 19 are considered overweight. An astounding 28% of boys in that same age group are considered overweight. See graph to compare those percentages to the previous years. This noticeable overweight population shows that the American youth is learning poor eating habits at a young age.
Many young people today who set out to loose weight end up putting themselves on some sort of crash diet. These are diets such as the Atkins Diet and the South Beach Diet, which don’t teach you how to live a healthy lifestyle. These diets are just for the short term. See in the picture of the South Beach Diet Book that these crash diets are made popular because they are easily accessible in almost every bookstore or library.
Dating back centuries, board games have been made in history as a source of entertainment. From an old Taiwanese game, Sz’Kwa, (below) to modern games such as Monopoly and the game of Life (below), players just want to entertain themselves for a little while and escape from the real world.
Something needs to be done to help young teens between the ages of 12 to 14 learn about nutrition. They are young and uneducated. Although they think that they know everything, they still have much to learn. In some schools, nutrition is taught but not enough. Even so, students may not learn to their full potential because it is not fun.

Research

Design

Different colors evoke different feelings

o Yellow- Warmth, brilliance, quickness, mental deftness

o Turquoise- Calm, introspective, self-sufficient, boastful, deceptive



Nutrition

Nutrients: substances important for the body’s growth and care

3 ways the body uses nutrients- To provide energy, To build and repair cells, To regulate body processes





Technical Research

For more research before thinking of my designs for the board game, I decided to play a variety of popular games. I played games such as Life, Monopoly, Candyland and the Barbie game. While playing, I thought about incorporating parts of each game into my nutritional game. You can see from figure below that I liked the idea of having the game around the perimeter of the board, as in Monopoly. Also, when I played Candyland, I liked having the game board colorful as well as the winding nature of the path. When I drew my board game solutions, I was able to incorporate each of these game board designs. The only difficulty I realized would be incorporating an educational aspect into the game through question cards.