The Learning Games Lab team at New Mexico State University recently hosted a webinar with the Extension Foundation to introduce their latest educational technology innovation: "Theme Park Kitchen," a food safety game for youth. Using their expertise in game-based learning and engaging young learners, the team has turned food safety education into an exciting game for the upcoming generation of food handlers.
"Theme Park Kitchen" is an online game aimed at both entertaining and educating youth about essential food safety practices. Players immerse themselves in various themed kitchens, where they learn to prepare and serve delicious meals while prioritizing safety measures. This game represents a revamp of "Ninja Kitchen," initially launched in 2011 to teach children fundamental food handling skills. In this updated version, particular attention has been given to enhancing cultural sensitivity, with the design team actively involving youth to creating a more inclusive game. The project received support from the New Technologies for Ag Extension program.
During the webinar, participants gained insights into how gameplay can effectively engage and educate, and learned about the inclusive design principles employed by the Learning Games Lab to develop Theme Park Kitchen. The team also shared practical strategies for educators and Extension agents to integrate the game into both formal and informal educational settings. Additionally, opportunities for collaboration with the Learning Labs design team were discussed.
Find all the valuable resources from the session, including access to other interactive tools and games, publications related to the project, and presentation slides below! Also test the game for your own use and reach out to the team with ideas to use this game!
See the resources from the session:
- Presentation Recording
- Presentation Slides
- Science of Agriculture- Short animations, interactives and videos
- See the suite of of engaging and interactive educational experiences from New Mexico Learning Lab
- Test the theme park kitchen game for yourself!
- Teaching Food Safety- Theme Park Kitchen Game
- Innovative Media Research and Extension & Learning Games Lab Apps
- Outbreak Squad: a food safety game for middle school
- Have ideas on collaboration or audiences that could use tis game? Reach out to the team- Matheus Cezarotto, matheus@nmsu.edu
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