Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills - "Cut the Rope Experiments"

Hello Everyone! 

This week I was looking for a game that worked on skills and strategies, opposed to content based educational games. In my search, I found an application that is available for free on the Apple app store and Google Play store. I spent some time playing this game, and discovered that although does not present content in that would teach a concept to a student playing the game, (as I have been discussing in my previous posts), it does allow students to access and practice their critical thinking, and problem solving skills.

 

The name of this game is "Cut the Rope Experiments." Your job is to help the mad, (but good) scientist study this small creature named "Om Nom" that loves candy. Your mission in the game is to figure out how to strategically cut specific ropes, use bubbles, air devices and other instruments to drop a ball of candy into On Nom's mouth. The game has several levels, which you must obtain a certain about of stars or candy to move on, requiring players to play the game using their critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Although this might seem more of a simple "game" it can be used in classroom discussion by having students work in groups to come up with strategies to :

First - Get all the stars

Second - Avoid any challenges that might be added

Third - Determine the most efficient way to get the stars and collect the candy

Lastly - Give the candy to ON Nom.

The classroom discussions will help students develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills as they collaborate with one another to create the most effective solutions for getting the candy into Om Nom's mouth.

The use of cartoon characters and creative creatures will grab the attention of a student in a wide range from First or Second grade up to Eighth grade if not beyond. If you have a moment, take the time to download this game if you have an Apple or Android device, it is quite entertaining.

Have a great week,

Alex