Futurecade

Futurecade is an innovative interactive suite of games from the Science Museum that allows students to explore how science and technology impacts on their everyday lives.

Futurecade’s four games are inspired by current and future technology in the fields of robotics, satellites and space junk, geo-engineering and synthetic biology.

The games were developed with the aim that they would be fun and enjoyable for students to play. They are based on science that is being researched today and may affect our lives in the future. Thought-provoking questions around the science and consequences of the gameplay are included so the games can be used in the classroom to generate discussion.

Cloud control helps students to consider questions such as:
• Is trying to change the climate a viable option?
• Can we really stop climate change?
• Who is responsible for combating climate change?

Robo-lobster can be used to introduces ideas about robots.
• What jobs would students be happy for robots to do?
• Who is responsible for a robot’s actions?
• Can we trust robots to keep us safe?

Space Junker looks at questions such as:
• Do we really need to worry about space junk?
• Who is responsible for littering space?
• Who should pay for cleaning up space junk?

Bactolab looks at genetic engineering.
• Should we do it?
• How safe is it?
• Would students take engineered E. coli as medicine?
• Could genetically-modified bacteria help to tackle some of the problems facing the world?
• Is it OK to engineer any organism?

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx7gb