Screen Shots
About The Game
Where is Walden Shyre... and what happened to him on the eve of the Nobel Prize Ceremony?
You've been hired as the new laboratory assistant to the two-time Nobel laureate, Dr. Walden A. Shyre. He's disappeared, and he's left you clues. He has a plan!
In the History of Biology game, you, the assistant, are required to navigate through a labyrinth of clues, objects, and internet sites trying to figure out why Dr. Shyre has disappeared. What secret project was he working on? Who might be after him and are they after you too? Hidden amongst the history of biology, Dr. Shyre has left clues and puzzles to unlock the secrets of his most important and controversial research ever.
History of Biology is an interactive, online science scavenger hunt where students experience the history of biology, through the people and the impact their discoveries had on, and continues to have on, our culture, society, politics, economics, and ethics. Starting in the 17th Century, with the invention of microscopes and the first descriptions of microscopic life, users complete weekly missions and solve puzzles by researching the lives and scientific discoveries of over 20 scientists. Users progress through a rich story-line driven game that parallels the scientific timeline of discovery. The game content takes users through the cell theory, microscopes, classification, evolution, mechanisms of heredity, the central dogma of genetics, the genomics revolution and where biological science is heading in the near future.
As part of Spongelab Biology, History of Biology is one of several educational games produced by Spongelab Interactive. Subscribers of Spongelab Biology have full online access to the History of Biology Game, the internationally recognized and award-winning Genomics Digital Lab (GDL), and the Bio-musical Sensation Transcription Hero.
Genomics Digital Lab is an online learning environment where users experience the world of biology through immersive discovery-based learning. Teaching and learning with GDL and all Spongelab Biology products captivates learners and engages them in the biology they are studying, while simultaneously promoting critical thinking, creativity and problem solving skills.
For a free Trial of GDL and History of Biology... Sign up here.
For more information on Genomics Digital Lab please visit www.exploreGDL.com
For more information and to play Transcrption Hero... Sign up here.
For more information on Spongelab Biology or other Spongelab educational games please visit www.spongelab.com
EDUCATION INFO
CONTENT OVERVIEW
CURRICULUM BASED - ISSUES ORIENTED - DISCOVERY APPROACH
Download Overview Document (PDF)
Key Concepts
• Cell theory, discovery of microorganisms
• Function, structure and use of microscopes
• Classification and taxonomy
• Classic and modern genetic tools
• The central dogma of genetics and the universal code
• Heredity & DNA
• Genomics
Issues Focused
• Ethical, social, political and cultural impacts of biological innovations are central to the narrative of this journey.
Historical Importance
• Discoveries by 14 scientists and significant technological advancements
Problem-based learning approach
• The game sends students on a journey of discovery through a series of exploratory missions where students use scientific techniques and a staged webquest to solve detailed puzzles.
• Problem solving, critical thinking, research and communication skills are challenged and assessed through each mission.
TEACHER SUPPORT AVAILABLE
Teacher Guides
• Full text walk-through of each mission
• Online video walkthrough
• Suggested prompts to facilitate student discovery, including screenshots to integrate into lessons/presentations.
• These support features available for teacher subscribers!
