Gamification of Diversity Training in STEM: Testing the Efficacy of the Academe Dream Board Game – UROP Spring Symposium 2021

Gamification of Diversity Training in STEM: Testing the Efficacy of the Academe Dream Board Game

Saam Martin

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Pronouns: He/him

Research Mentor(s): Philip Cheng, Faculty
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Henry Ford Health System,
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 1 (10am-10:50am)
Breakout Room: Room 9
Presenter: 3

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Abstract

Now, more than ever, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of the change happening in society. Our project explores and presents current structural discrimination, aggressions, and inequities people of a vast array of communities face every day. The project itself is important because it not only displays these degrading structures in broad daylight, but it also facilitates discussion between people to help open their eyes to privileges they hold, or at the very least to recognize that these things do in fact happen in real life. As of now, the project has been developed (or is currently in the process of polishing over minute details) and is almost ready to perform pilot testing. The project consists of a “board game” or rather virtual game (due to COVID-19) which has people choose character cards, action cards, and game upgrades – simulating a competitive game atmosphere. The characters themselves are intended to be very unrelated from the player so as to produce a new perspective to consider. Inevitably, the players that make it the furthest/complete the game first are the more privileged communities of people and the people that fall behind are the players that experience discrimination in various settings. Because this study is in the stage of development, we haven’t collected much usable data – this will take place soon this Winter 2021 semester and in the coming 2021-2022 academic year. The hope is that our findings will be one of the contributing factors to much-needed change within the STEM field (specifically with the IRB and research mentorship).

Authors: Saam Martin, Andrew Carriero, Philip Cheng
Research Method: Survey Research

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