Promoting Computational Thinking and STEM Attitudes for Individuals with Disabilities Using Game Builder Garage
Sponsor
National Science Foundation Advancing Informal STEM Learning
Subaward to UGA from the University of Missouri
$377,144Principal investigator
Noah Glaser
Assistant professor, University of MissouriCo-principal investigators
Matthew Schmidt
Associate professor, Department of Workforce Education and Instructional TechnologyAmanda Olsen
Associate professor, University of MissouriLucas Jensen
Associate professor, Georgia Southern UniversityKieren Mendoza
Assistant professor, University of Nebraska at OmahaActive since
November 2024
Abstract
What if creating video games could unlock problem-solving skills, spark interest in science and technology, and open doors to future careers? That’s the idea behind Gaming for Good, a project funded by the National Science Foundation and led by researchers at the University of Missouri and University of Georgia. This initiative helps middle school students with disabilities build essential STEM skills by designing their own video games using Nintendo’s Game Builder Garage.
Students explore core concepts like data, modeling, systems thinking, and computational problem-solving through hands-on game design. It’s a creative, engaging process that makes STEM learning feel approachable, meaningful, and fun. The curriculum is designed for use in informal learning spaces—after-school programs, camps, and community centers—where students can explore ideas at their own pace and in a supportive environment. Gaming for Good reimagines what STEM learning can look like. By connecting game design with computational thinking, the project is creating new pathways for students who might not otherwise see themselves in science or technology fields. The result is a learning experience that’s as welcoming as it is inspiring—one that shows students they already have the creativity and curiosity needed to shape the future.