Punnett Farms: Developing An Immersive Educational Game-Based Platform for Learning Genetics

Background. Serious games (SGs) have emerged as promising tools for life science education, providing interactive learning experiences that bolster accessibility and engagement. In the context of genetics education, which emphasizes handson problem-solving, SGs offer a potential platform to augment learning. Aim. This article presents the detailed design of a new educational SG, titled Punnett Farms, along with a pilot evaluation of the game. Designed to help students learn the fundamentals of Mendelian/molecular genetics, the game offers a colorful virtual world with embedded educational content aimed at cultivating interactive learning and engagement. Methods. Development of Punnett Farms was guided by principles of educational game design models. The game was implemented in Unity and C#. A pilot study was conducted with community college students (n = 22) to assess the game's strengths and areas for improvement. Pre-/post-intervention knowledge assessments, along with questionnaires inspired by the GEM and MEEGA+ frameworks, were used to obtain insights into participants' interest, enjoyment, and short-term learning outcomes. Results. Participants exhibited possible short-term knowledge gains after playing Punnett Farms, as reflected by improved quiz scores. In questionnaire responses, participants also reported improved content understanding, interest towards the subject, and overall enjoyment in learning genetics. Additionally, players rated the game highly for presentation and educational utility. Conclusion. By integrating educational game design principles, Punnett Farms aims to provide an immersive environment that supports learning of essential Mendelian genetics topics. Results from the pilot study were positive, suggesting the game has potential to be a helpful resource for genetics learners. Future efforts will focus on continuing to improve and evaluate the game across different contexts.