--- title: MathMINDs Game-a-thon description: Game-a-thon is a student game-design challenge that anyone can enter. image: https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/Images/math-fair-game-a-thon-gat.jpg --- [![MathMINDs Logo](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/graphics/logos/mathminds-mri-logo.svg)](https://www.mindresearch.org/mathminds) - [Games](https://2024.mindresearch.org/mathminds/games) - [Stories](https://2024.mindresearch.org/mathminds/stories) - [Maker](https://2024.mindresearch.org/mathminds/maker) - More - [Family Math Night](https://2024.mindresearch.org/mathminds/family-math-night) - [Maker Resources](https://2024.mindresearch.org/mathminds/maker/resources) - [Impact](https://2024.mindresearch.org/mathminds/games/#brady) # Game-a-thon ### **I feel great! It's like I'm a real person connected with other people.** *-- 4th grader* Run your own [Play.Create.Share.](http://mindresearch.org/mathminds/maker/resources) project then enhance it with one of our ongoing Game-a-thons. We are on a mission to produce a free family math night kit featuring only student-made work. Submit your own games for a chance to be featured! See our [Student Cork Board](https://2024.mindresearch.org/gameathon#studentcorkboard) for examples.  ## Past Game-a-thons Kinder - 1st ![kraal cows1](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MIND%20Research%20Institute/MathMINDs/Website%20Assets/kraal%20cows1.png?width=1684&name=kraal%20cows1.png) ### Kraal Konfusion **Until May 31, 2021** Create your own twist on Kraal Animals or Kraal Cows that make your school admin act silly and that kids can win. (Bonus) Make number cards besides just spots and stripes. See [Memorize](https://2024.mindresearch.org/gameathon#MASTEM2020) for an example. 2nd - 3rd ![weight-2x](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/weight-2x.png?width=410&name=weight-2x.png) ### Achi Alliance **Until May 31, 2021** Make your own multiplayer math twist on Achi that where kids can win against adults. (Bonus) Add twists to the game that offer cool ways math helps us win. See [Teleportation Double Stack](https://2024.mindresearch.org/gameathon#orange2019) or play [Achi then Tsoro Yematatu](https://www.flipsnack.com/mathminds/achi-boards/full-view.html) for examples. 4th - 5th ![turtlesums](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MIND%20Research%20Institute/MathMINDs/Website%20Assets/turtlesums.png?width=1778&name=turtlesums.png) ### Tricky Turtles **Until May 31, 2021** Design the most addictively tricky turtle puzzles that your school's janitorial staff won't put down even when frustrated. (BONUS) Move beyond addition, the numbers 1 - 9, or even squares. See [Turtle!Turtles!Turtles!](https://2024.mindresearch.org/gameathon#orange2019)for an example. ![MathMINDs Game-a-thon logo v-2](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MIND%20Research%20Institute/MathMINDs/Game-a-thon/Logo/Game-a-thon_logo_v-2.png?width=1152&height=1245&name=Game-a-thon_logo_v-2.png) ## Run a Game-a-thon Run your own Game-a-thon challenge in your classroom, school, or community. | 1. | [Play.Create.Share](http://mindresearch.org/mathminds/maker/resources) | | --- | --- | | 2. | Game-a-thon [Checklist](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/MIND%20Research%20Institute/MathMINDs/Math%20Makers/Game%20Submission%20Checklist.pdf) | | 3. | Share student-created games!  |   ## Student Cork Board Check out past student examples. Send us your work at [gameathon@mindresearch.org](mailto:gameathon@mindresearch.org) to be featured. --- ### **Mass STEM Week 2020** [**Aquarium Challenge**](https://2024.mindresearch.org/math-makers) Kinder ### Memorize This kindergartener created a memory game using household items.  This let's the game be about as simple to DIY as possible.   Study the items, cover them up and describe them in as much detail as possible.   **Highlight:** Excellent DIY while keeping the game tricky, but fun. 2nd grader ### I Sea My Gameboard A game of addition and subtraction that wasn't quite right the first time.   **Highlight:** Iteration Quote by the game maker: *My first idea was to make a game with an aquarium background. Then, I needed to focus on the game first, and the look after.* 5th grader ### Save The Turtles Designed by a 5th grader for the entire family to play. Ideal for 1 to 5 players, use math to be the first to the finish line and save your turtles. ***Highlight:** Level playing field so adults and kids can play together.* 5th graders ### Turtle Mania Made by several students, this multiplayer game involves building expressions and offers an interesting use of a turtle's ability to be on land and in the water. Get stuck in the pond and your turtle needs to roll a 6 to get back to land. **Highlight:** Multiplayer game. Leveraging a real-life connection (amphibians ). 5th Grader ### Turtle Run Instead of creating an "ideal" game in this student's mind, this student created for a 7-yr old brother and 6-yr old sister. **Highlight:** Designed for a specific, authentic audience. Quote from the game maker:  *I didn’t really make the game I wanted to like a super hard mind blowing game. I wanted to be able to play the game with my siblings.* --- ### Orange County 2019 Math Maker Challenge 4th Grader ### Teleportation Double Stack In this twist of the numeric version of Achi, certain locations allow for teleportation and others for double stacking. With these twists, the number combinations for both winning and blocking completely change, making the game tricky and fun. **Highlight:** Great strategic math twist Middle School ### Turtles! Turtles! Turtles! A team of middle schoolers trying out their own turtle puzzles. **Highlight:** rapid iteration by keeping it simple - iterate first, make it pretty later.  --- - [About MIND](https://2024.mindresearch.org/about) - [MathMinds](https://2024.mindresearch.org/mathminds/maker/resources) - [Contact Us](https://2024.mindresearch.org/contact-us) - Copyright © 2018-2021 MIND Research Institute. 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