Martha Madison: Marvelous Machines: Exploring simple machines in an open-ended, collaborative sandbox

In this paper we discuss the construction of Martha Madison: Marvelous Machines, a serious video game designed to help students learn about the use of simple machines in the everyday world. Game participants are introduced to real-world, meaningful tasks that must be solved through the placement and manipulation of simple machines. The game provides in-game scaffolding and is played collaboratively by students co-located in the same space, playing on the same computer. The Martha Madison game provides learners specific tasks and goals to complete and an open world in which to complete them. The design of Martha Madison is intended to create a dialogue between players in the service of solving authentic problems presented in the game world and providing opportunities for students to change overall perceptions regarding the social and collaborative aspects of STEM work. The authors discuss the reasons, approaches, and challenges of the design of Martha Madison.