computer games to encourage kids into engineering

[helenjackson]

Hi all,
I have volunteered in a working group to investigate what's out there in terms of things to encourage kids in manufacturing or engineering and possibly plug the gap. I can do books and TV but stuck on games (internet or otherwise). Not having kids or knowing much about computer games I was hoping you might be able to help point me in the right direction.
I have come across this http://www.makeit.org.uk/tycoonsgame/ which is quite cool but haven't found anything else apart from really lame simple things.
I'm looking at around 10-15year age range.

Ta
Helen

[RobDickinson]

http://www.bridgebuilder-game.com/

That (if its the right link!) was excelent fun.

[ShadownINja]

http://www.kongregate.com/games/inXile_Ent/fantast...

Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 26th May 21:38

[Salgar]

ShadownINja said:

http://www.kongregate.com/games/inXile_Ent/fantast...

Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 26th May 21:38

This is a great game.

[sadako]

Dig up an old copy of "The Incredible Machine"?

[T89 Callan]

Blast Corps, well Demolition is a form of engineering.

[ShadownINja]

Salgar said:

ShadownINja said:

http://www.kongregate.com/games/inXile_Ent/fantast...

Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 26th May 21:38

This is a great game.

Yes! There was another one posted on PH along a similar theme of construction but I can't seem to find it.

[james_gt3rs]

sadako said:

Dig up an old copy of "The Incredible Machine"?

Amazing game, I played that aged about 5!

Garry's mod for HL2 would be good as well.

[The_Jackal]

Personally I think these are the best without being too simplistic.
http://www.crayonphysics.com/
http://2dboy.com/games.php

[SlipStream77]

Have a look at Rigs of Rods, it's essentially a physics based sandbox with the ability to create new vehicles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigs_of_Rods

Simply playing RoR will provide an education; try lifting a large weight using a crane and placing it on the back of a lorry. After several spectacular 'fails', the ideas behind moments and the CofG (hopefully) become clear.

There are some driving simulators with the ability to create new cars but they can be quite complex, probably one of the simpler ones is Racer.

http://www.racer.nl/

One of the most realistic is rFactor, five F1 teams use rFactor Pro for their simulators. However, creating a car from scratch including graphics can be a long process.

http://www.rfactor.net/

You could modify an existing car which would be very simple, to demonstrate for example, F=ma.

Time a car to 60mph and then double its weight and time it again.

In rFactor and Racer, most of the car's physical attributes are defined in text files so they are easy to change.

HTH

[JacksHereR]

I didnt read the whole post - but reminded me of Little Big Planet (LBP)

someone has created a working calculator with the physics engine.

[mr_fibuli]

Another good one here: http://www.armadillorun.com/

Also Elephunk on PS3 is quite good, a cartoony version of bridge builder.

Edited by mr_fibuli on Thursday 27th May 11:57

[helenjackson]

Thanks everyone - very helpful! I knew I could rely you!

Helen