Math Edutainment Software for
Girls Grades 1-6
Emily Clarke
Computer Systems Research
Period 2
Abstract
“Edutainment” math game for girls in elementary
school
 Web-based
 Encourage girls to continue math, science,
technology education
 Implement suggestions from GMSP, ISE, CTGTE
 Flash MX; ActionScript 2.0
 Surveys to determine attitudes
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Introduction
Engaging, educational math game for girls in
elementary schools
 Encourage girls to enroll in higher-level math,
science, technology classes
 Comprehensive plot
 Diverse, all-female cast
 Seven mini-games
 Feedback system (rewarding gameplay)
 Non-stereotyped look at science in real world
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Background
Girls in Math and Science Partnership – GMSP
Stats and Data (2007)
 Boys outperform in primary science, math,
technology classes
 On average, 30 points lower SAT math score
 Under enrolled in AP Computer Science,
Physics
 Lower eighth grade performance in fractions,
number sense, core sciences
 Less confidence in science, math abilities
Background
Girls in Math and Science Partnership -- “Girls’ Beliefs
about Science and Math” (2004)
 More personal
 Appreciated for its own virtue (not utility)
 Feeling of control over abilities
 “New Science Girl”
 Rewarding, elegant, inspirational, humanitarian
 Explore math and science possibilities
Background
Institute of Educational Sciences -- “Encouraging Girls
in Math and Science” (2007)
 Cognitive abilities not fixed
 Specific, prescriptive feedback
 Female role models
 Interesting, gender-stereotype free careers, activities
 Research
 Spatial skills
Background
Comission on Technology, Gender, and Teacher
Education -- “Tech-Savvy: Educating Girls in the New
Computer Age” (2000)
 Edutainment specific
 Strategy
 Personal, social interactions
 Diverse, interesting characters
 Narrative plots
 Gender-stereotype free creativity
 Appropriate challenge
Development

Macromedia Flash MX
 ActionScript 2.0
Implementation of Suggestions
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Advancable plot with
cutscences
Score-tracking
system
Interactive cast
Stereotype free
female characters
Ability to “study” with
links to content
Character
customization
Study Notebook with Links to Content
and Score Tracking
Development
Mini-Games
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Screenshot from spatial skills game
Spatial skills –
assemble “quadritiles”
for rocket building
Flash cards – help
doctor take stock of
medical supplies
Word Problems – mix
chemicals for
experiments
Development
Mini-Games
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Logic – build a robot to retrieve information from the
surface
Science, math trivia – recover scrambled passwords
Sequences – figure out which button to press on an artifact
Number codes – decode a message using a numerical cue
Progress
Spatial skills game (debugging)
 Flash cards game (completed)
 Password game (frame)
 Character customization
 Main menu
 Loading screen
 Notebook (frame)
 Engineer, doctor, astronaut, administrator interactions
(basic)
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Analysis
Release through TJHSST server
 Send game to FCPS computer teachers
 Three surveys
 Parent/teacher, after
 Educational value
 Elements of game
 Girl friendly?

Analysis
Student, before
 Age
 Gender
 Attitudes towards math
 Student, after
 Attitudes towards math
 Elements of game
 Replay value
 Comparison of student results
 Graph change in results
 Display of parent/teacher comments/results
 Take into consideration for revisions
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Conclusion
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Next steps
 Complete other mini-games
 Animate opening cut scene
 Provide study tips, links to research, activities,
information
 Flesh out character interactions