Five Science Games

Teachers and parents struggle to find ways of making science seem important or even worthwhile. Luckily, science is so full of facts and intriguing details that it makes great material for games. Games really can make learning fun. Once learning becomes fun, there's no stopping it. Here are five games that explore science in a fresh, engaging way.

Totally Gross

A board game from University Games, Totally Gross is for 2-4 players, ages 8-14. It explores chemistry, biology and more, focusing on the gross parts to help science make sense. Did you know, for example, that snot keeps your lungs clean? Or that some bullfrogs are cannibals? As players travel the game board, they answer one queasy question after another. Some game features include the 'Gross-Out' space, where one player may have to check another for toe jam or describe the last time he threw up. Scores are measured with slime stretched on a score line (jar of slime included!). Every correct answer or completed Gross-Out stretches it a bit more. When a player stretches his slime to 10, he has to complete a Lab Experiment in order to win the game.

Planet Quest

From Learning Resources, Planet Quest is a game that focuses on our solar system. It's full of amazing facts, with questions like:

True or false: Mercury has a lot of holes on its surface called craters.

The answer? TRUE. Asteroids and meteorites crashed into Mercury, which left large holes on its surface.

Each planet has its own set of cards. Game play advances with a spinner and questions about astronomy. The game board includes Black Hole spaces that can set a player back. Planet Quest is a great way for kids to absorb important information about outer space. It's meant for 2 to 4 players (with 4 astronaut playing pieces!) ages 7 and up.

Deep Worlds

A board game by DoubleStar, LLC, Deep Worlds is a game of underwater exploration. Players (represented by space alien themed game pieces) dive into distant oceans, trying to outsmart their opponents and win a race across an ancient alien ocean. DoubleStar cautions that game may 'cause players to love science!' Game features include a Dive Zone where player the special Dive Zone Generator and the Chaos Space where players must answer questions to win more fuel for their vessel. There's the Megaplume Whirlpool and a deep crevice called The Trench. The first alien with 3 fuel cells that reaches Hydroplane Transport returns to the beach and wins the game.

Professor Flubberstein's Wacky Wonders: Your Icky Insides

Another by University Games, Professor Flubberstein is a quirky, lovable mad scientist. His Wacky Wonders activity kits engage all of the senses. With Your Icky Insides, players learn how to bottle their own breath and enlarge a shrunken heart! The game comes with a sticky hand and rubber bones for performing experiments, along with a stethoscope for listen to your heart. It explores such questions as why dead fish float, or why we can't taste food when we're sick? The set offers all you need for 10 activities that make learning science gross but fun. It includes a growing heart, a transparent digestive tract, a sticky hand, a mini skeleton, 2 funnels, a plastic tube, 2 tongue depressor halves, and a rubber band, not to mention the activity book.

SomeBody Anatomy Game

A game by Aristoplay, the SomeBody Anatomy Game is just the thing for your budding doctor, science buff, or struggling biology student. It's a jump-start on anatomy for kids ages 6-12. It's all about the body and it's five games in one. It has matching games, identification games about the organs, muscles, and bones, and fun, fascinating experiments to perform. It's designed to stay fun and grow with a student's knowledge and interest. It has stick-on body parts, and cards with questions and experiments.

It's not easy keeping kids interested in things they can't relate to. Helping them relate is the key and the key to that is fun. If it's fun, kid's can relate. Making a game of science is a great way to convey vital information. Taking time out to play games doesn't have to be an about-face from education. Combining science and play is a great way to get a breather from the cold, hard facts while putting them into a context that kids can understand and enjoy. Once learning becomes fun, there's no stopping it.