LARP in education Archives - Guardian Adventures

Live Action Role Play (LARP) provides an engaging and interactive platform that allows participants to immerse in a narrative world and experience stories firsthand. When you integrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) elements it becomes an EduLARP. This lets you not only offer educational opportunities but also add depth and complexity to your story.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to seamlessly incorporate STEM into your EduLARP, amplifying the narrative through scientific intrigue. If you are using our free Universal Game System Lite, we have provided you with examples for each of the themes covered in that LARP system:

1. How will STEM fit into your Story?

Determine how STEM will fit into your story’s universe. Whether it’s a post-apocalyptic world that relies on renewable energy or a medieval setting with rudimentary machines, ensure the science serves the story.

- Zombies: Discover the formula to reverse the zombie condition.
- Medieval Fantasy: Alchemists use techniques to transform elements.
- Superhero: Science holds the key to amplifying or understanding powers.
- Space: Exploration is driven by new scientific breakthroughs.
- Spy: Technology is pivotal for deciphering critical information.
- Nature Protectors: Science aids in conservation and understanding ecosystems.

2. Which STEM concepts do you want to explore?

Then start identifying the STEM concepts that you want to incorporate into your LARP according to the theme. For example, if you want to focus on engineering, you can use puzzles that require players to create machines or structures. If you want to add math, use puzzles that require players to solve equations or calculate probabilities. This can encourage your players to use their problem-solving skills and also show how to apply STEM concepts in problem solving.

- Zombies: Delve into biology and viral studies.
- Medieval: Explore simple mechanics and alchemy.
- Superhero: Dive into physics and genetic mutations.
- Space: Astronomy and advanced propulsion systems are key.
- Spy: The art of cryptography and decoding is paramount.
- Nature Protectors: Understand ecology and conservation.

3. What kind of STEM vocabulary can you introduce?

To make your LARP more educational, introduce STEM-related vocabulary that players can use to describe the concepts that they are working with. This can include terms like “engineering,” “physics,” or “programming.” By using these terms, players can begin to understand the underlying concepts behind the challenges they are presented with.

- Zombies: Terms like “antidote”, “contagion”, and “mutation”.
- Medieval: “Leverage”, “fulcrum”, and “transmutation”.
- Superhero: “Kinetics”, “mutation”, and “acceleration”.
- Space: “Orbit”, “gravity well”, and “spectrometry”.
- Spy: “Cipher”, “algorithm”, and “encryption”.
- Nature Protectors: “Biodiversity”, “conservation”, and “habitat”.

4. What kinds of props will elevate the experience?

Invest in quality props that simulate real-world STEM equipment. This could range from lab equipment for experiments to simple pulley systems. Authenticity can greatly enhance immersion.

- Zombies: Microscope slides with “infected blood.”
- Medieval: Mock alchemical instruments.
- Superhero: Gadget blueprints.
- Space: Telescope or star charts.
- Spy: Cipher wheels.
- Nature Protectors: Sample collection kits.

5. What puzzles will drive the Narrative?

One way to integrate STEM into your LARP is to create challenges that require players to apply the STEM concepts you introduce to solve problems in a way that the solution pertains to the story. This not only adds a new level of excitement to the game, but it also makes the challenges more exciting by propelling the player through the story.

- Zombies: Discovering the right biological compound for a cure.
- Medieval: Crafting a pulley system to draw water during a drought.
- Superhero: Constructing a gadget harnessing sound waves.
- Space: Navigating the cosmos using star maps.
- Spy: Decoding an encrypted message using mathematical sequences.
- Nature Protectors: Identifying species through DNA analysis.

6. How to deliver the educational concepts?

Whenever players encounter a STEM element, provide a brief educational background. This can be done through NPCs (Non-Player Characters) who are experts in the field or through in-game texts.

- Zombies: An NPC describes virus transmission.
- Medieval: An elder explains gear mechanisms.
- Superhero: A scientist NPC elucidates sound wave principles.
- Space: An astronaut NPC teaches about constellations.
- Spy: A mentor figure introduces encryption methods.
- Nature Protectors: A biologist NPC talks about local flora and fauna.

7. How to allow for Trial and Error?

Real-world STEM often involves hypothesis testing and iteration. Design your challenges in a way that encourages players to think critically, try different solutions, and learn from their mistakes. So plan in enough time during the challenges for failure and new attempts.

- Zombies: Test various compounds before finding the cure.
- Medieval: Iterate on pulley design.
- Superhero: Refine gadget functionalities.
- Space: Correcting navigation errors.
- Spy: Testing different decryption keys.
- Nature Protectors: Hypothesize on the best habitats for species.

8. Where can you incorporate Collaborative Learning?

Easy: Design STEM challenges that require collaboration. For example, a complex machine might need multiple players to operate different parts in sequence. This promotes teamwork and reinforces the idea that many scientific endeavors are collaborative in nature.

- Zombies: Collaborate to “synthesize” a cure.
- Medieval: Working together to operate a trebuchet.
- Superhero: Team up to calibrate a “power enhancer.”
- Space: Group navigation through a cosmic “minefield.”
- Spy: Assemble pieces of a deciphered message.
- Nature Protectors: Collaboratively conduct a “species count.”

9. What’s next? Seek Feedback and Iterate

After your LARP event, gather feedback from participants on the STEM elements as well as the story and interactions. Understand what worked, what didn’t, and what areas can be improved. Use this feedback to refine your approach in subsequent events.

- Zombies: Which scientific aspects intensified the survival feeling?
- Medieval: Were the mechanical tasks engaging and educational?
- Superhero: Which gadgets seemed most plausible?
- Space: Was the navigation challenge too easy or hard?
- Spy: Was the code-breaking sequence intuitive?
- Nature Protectors: Did the environmental science tasks feel impactful?

The above gives you a starting point for integrating STEM into your LARP. But remember above all… make your adventure fun and engaging. Incorporate creative storytelling and believable characters that players can interact with, as well as exciting challenges. This is how your players are more likely to want to continue playing and learn more about STEM concepts.

Guardian Adventures provides consulting and a free LARP for afterschool programs, summer camps, amusement & attraction industries, and more.

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Summer camps create memories and friendships that last a lifetime, but staying engaged with campers during the school year can be a challenge. With the increasing accessibility of online platforms, Live Action Role-Playing (LARP) can be a powerful tool to keep the camp spirit alive and ensure return registrations. Here’s how to use online LARP to enhance camper retention during the school year.

What is Online LARP?

Online LARP is an adaptation of traditional Live Action Role-Playing to virtual platforms (like Zoom). Participants assume characters’ roles and interact in a digital environment, guided by a storyline or set of objectives. While lacking the physical aspect of traditional LARP, online versions offer unique advantages like:

Accessibility for some people with disabilities
Reaching your geographically dispersed campers
Introducing new campers to returning campers before summer begins
Requires very little space
Largely weather-proof

Why Use Online LARP for Camp Retention?

Maintain Engagement: LARP is an interactive and fun way to keep campers involved, reminding them of their positive camp experiences.
Strengthen Bonds: Campers reconnect with their friends, fostering lasting relationships and engaged in Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Promote Continuous Learning: Camps with an educational component can use an online educational LARP, or EduLARP to reinforce and build upon concepts introduced during summer sessions.

Steps to Implement Online LARP for Camp Retention

Set Clear Objectives: Understand your goals. Are you aiming to strengthen community ties, reinforce lessons from camp, or introduce new camp themes for the next year?
Choose the Right Platform: There are several online platforms suitable for LARP, such as Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and more. Your choice will depend on the complexity of your game and the age group of your participants.
Design an Engaging Storyline: The story should resonate with camp themes or values. For instance, if your camp focuses on science, a LARP session could revolve around solving a fictional scientific mystery.
Schedule Regular Sessions: Consistency is key. Regularly scheduled sessions, be it monthly or quarterly, will give campers something to look forward to and ensure sustained engagement.
Incorporate Feedback: Allow campers to influence the story’s direction or provide feedback on gameplay. This empowers them and ensures the LARP remains relevant to their interests.
Promote and Remind: Use email newsletters, social media, and other channels to keep campers informed about upcoming online LARP events.

Best Practices for a Successful Online LARP Session

Design or Find a System: You can either make your own online LARP system for navigating your adventures, or you can take our free online course which uses the Universal Game System Lite and has documentation on how to run not only an in-person LARP, but also an Online LARP. (Yes, it’s free and no strings attached – we are trying to make LARP more accessible and wide spread)
Moderate: Ensure there’s a skilled moderator or game master to guide the story, resolve conflicts, and keep the game flowing smoothly.
Incorporate Multimedia: Use videos, music, images, backdrops, props, and even dress in a costume or use masks to enhance the virtual environment and make the experience more immersive. Encourage your campers to also use (appropriate) costumes and backdrops.
Safety First: Especially with younger campers, ensure that all online interactions are safe. Set ground rules, use secure platforms, and monitor discussions.
Stay Inclusive: Make sure every camper, regardless of their technological proficiency, can participate. We highly recommend offering tutorials or tech support ahead of sessions.
Follow-Up: After a session, send out a recap, highlight memorable moments, and tease the next adventure to keep the excitement alive.

In the digital age, the end of summer doesn’t mean the end of camp camaraderie. By leveraging online LARP sessions during the school year, camps can maintain and even boost engagement, ensuring campers eagerly return year after year. It’s not just about retention; it’s about enriching the camp experience and making memories that bridge the gap between summers.

Guardian Adventures provide consulting and a free LARP for afterschool programs, summer camps, amusement & attraction industries, and more.

EduLARP, or educational live-action role-playing, is a creative and effective approach to learning academic subjects or social emotional learning that has been gaining popularity around the globe. EduLARP involves immersing students (or summer campers) in a fictional world and having them take on different roles within a story or scenario and then complete tasks that are related to the learning topic.

Engaging and Interactive Learning Experience

One of the most significant benefits of EduLARP is that it offers a highly engaging and interactive learning experience. Instead of just reading textbooks or listening to lectures, students get to actively participate in a fictional or simulated world where they can apply what they have learned inside the story – usually with associated consequences. By immersing students in this way, EduLARP makes learning more engaging and memorable, which can help improve retention and comprehension as well as the transfer of the knowledge into life outside of the learning environment.

Multidisciplinary Approach

EduLARP also offers something traditional schools lack: A multidisciplinary approach to learning. By creating fictional worlds, students can explore a wide range of topics and academic subjects. For example, the EduLARP plot might involve learning about different periods in history so that the students can solve the mystery, while also learning about biology, physics, and chemistry in order to defeat an antagonist. This kind of multidisciplinary approach can help students understand how these subjects are interconnected and even dependent upon each other for the end goal.

Improving Communication and Social Emotional Learning

EduLARP can help improve communication and social emotional learning (SEL) when students take on different roles, interact with one another, and learn to communicate and cooperate effectively in order to complete tasks. This process can help students express themselves, listen actively, and work collaboratively. These skills can be beneficial not just in academic settings, but also in personal and professional settings later in life.

Encouraging Creativity and Critical Thinking

Students must use their imagination to bring their roles to life in an EduLARP and solve problems within the context of the story they are navigating. This requires them to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to challenges. The scenarios may also make room for mistakes and failure… but with opportunity to continue forward so that the student understands that failure is not the stopping point. Additionally, EduLARP often involves complex plotlines and mysteries that require critical thinking and a variety of different approaches.

EduLARPs differ from LARPs in that the student actively learns real-world knowledge and applies it within the story. While in LARP, participants might learn knowledge that is only applicable within the fictional world of that LARP or it may only test the knowledge they already have (such as role playing scenarios for training emergency response personnel). LARPs can contain SEL aspects, but the primary focus of a LARP is entertainment, while the primary focus of an EduLARP is education.

As EduLARP continues to grow, more schools, summer camps, and other informal educational programs will see the depth and breadth of value that this exciting and engaging vehicle for learning has to offer.

About: Guardian Adventures provides free and licensed educational games, adventures, and LARP systems for summer camps, schools, and recreation organizations.

EduLARP, or educational live-action role-playing (LARP) brings an innovative and engaging approach to learning that has been adopted by educators and summer camps worldwide and is growing in popularity. It provides an immersive, hands-on learning experience that can be applied to various academic subjects, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

STEM-focused EduLARP scenarios involve students or campers taking on fictional roles that require the application of STEM skills and knowledge. This approach engages participants in a fun and interactive way while allowing them to develop a better understanding of STEM subjects.

Here is a list of different EduLARP scenarios that can you can use to teach STEM in your classroom or summer camp:

Scientific Lab: In this scenario, participants become scientists working in a lab to conduct experiments and solve problems. The role-playing game could involve creating a specific solution, identifying a scientific challenge, and coming up with a creative solution. The game can also teach scientific methodologies, hypothesis development, data analysis, and problem-solving skills.
Engineering Challenge: Students can be tasked by a fictional city to design and construct a prototype that meets specific criteria for solving a problem – either real or made up. The challenge should require them to use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to design a solution within the given constraints and resources. Examples include waste water collection, moving a building, or even designing a public transportation system.
Coding Adventure: Campers take on roles such as software engineers or hackers, and work together to solve a particular problem using programming languages. One idea is that they must protect a network or system from a cyber attack. This can also teach participants about cybersecurity and ethical hacking.
Environmental Investigation: Create a news story that requires the participants to uncover an environmental problem and its source. This can teach the impact of human activities on the environment as well as biodiversity, the effects of climate change, and conservation efforts.
Crime Scene Investigation (CSI): In this scenario, students or campers act as detectives and solve a crime by using scientific methods such as fingerprint analysis, DNA testing, and forensic science. Introduce the scenario by setting up a crime scene and providing participants with evidence to analyze and enough resources to solve the mystery.
Space Mission: For this challenge, participants act as astronauts on a space mission and must solve various problems that arise related to physics, astronomy, and engineering. Conduct this scenario by creating a simulated spacecraft (which can be as simple as an image projected on the wall) and providing participants with challenges to overcome.
Medical Emergency: Students act as medical professionals and must diagnose and treat a patient based on their symptoms. This can be based in an actual or fictional case. Set up involves providing participants with a patient case study and equipment to use.
Environmental Disaster: In this scenario, participants act as environmental scientists and engineers and must respond to a disaster such as an oil spill or natural disaster. Create a simulated disaster with either images or props and provide participants with tools to clean up and prevent further damage.
Build a Bridge: For this challenge, participants act as engineers trying to get to an important destination by a specific date and must design and build a bridge using limited resources. The scene should provide materials and a set of requirements that the bridge must meet.
Renewable Energy: In this scenario, participants act as energy engineers after a natural disaster and must design and build a renewable energy source such as a wind turbine or solar panel for local villages. Start by providing information about the area (by which they will determine the best approach) as well as materials and resources to build their energy source.
Robot Challenge: Participants take on the role of robotic engineers and must design and program a robot to complete a specific task in space or in a hazardous environment. The scene should require a set of tasks to accomplish and provide resources to build the robot.
Business Simulation: As business owners or entrepreneurs, the campers or students must manage a fictional business using math, finance, and economics. The simulation should provide a set of business parameters and challenges. Optional: Combine this with other scenarios listed here and the business the participants create has to solve the other challenge.
Genetics and Evolution: In this scenario, participants act as geneticists and must solve a problem such as determining the origin of a species (perhaps Zombies?) or solving a medical mystery (a pandemic?). Set this scenario by providing participants with the background story, a set of genetic data to analyze, and a problem to solve.
General Mystery: Another option is to provide a story that requires an array of challenges that require different types of problem solving without one primary focus. This can require students or participants to draw on a wider range of knowledge and skills and include topics outside of STEM like history or literature.

EduLARP offers an exciting approach to teaching STEM subjects, providing participants with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in practical scenarios, which develops a better understanding of the subjects. This approach is also beneficial for improving student engagement, retention, and collaboration skills.

Teachers or camp counselors who need assistance in designing and running EduLARPs can refer to our comprehensive LARP blog which goes into more detail about the process. Try an EduLARP at your location and watch the deep learning happen.

Guardian Adventures provide consulting and licensing of educational adventures, including a free LARP and cultural programs, for summer camps, amusement & attraction industries, and more.

LARP, or live action role play, can be a tool (or perhaps a better term is “vehicle”) in education that involves students role-playing various characters or scenarios in order to learn and understand new concepts. Educational LARPs are also known as EduLARPs.

Subjects for study can vary from SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) to academics like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Which learning concepts the teacher wants to explore can determine the best story for the experience (what we call “Adventure” or “Module”).

LARP can be effective in teaching for a variety of reasons:

LARP promotes active learning: LARP requires students to actively participate in the learning process, rather than simply listening to lectures or reading materials. This can make learning more engaging and interactive, and can help students to better retain and understand the information being presented. As well, if time for active reflection is provided after the adventure, LARP can improve transfer of this knowledge into both the academic setting as well as their personal lives.
LARP encourages critical thinking: LARP can encourage students to think critically about the information being presented, as they must consider the perspectives and motivations of different characters and make decisions based on that information. This can help students to develop their critical thinking skills. It can also make room for “in-game” (during the adventure) consequences which shows why the critical thinking skills are important.
LARP can be inclusive: LARP can be inclusive and culturally sensitive, as it allows students to bring their own experiences and perspectives to the role-playing scenarios. Allowing a student to bring their full, authentic self into the learning environment can improve their sense of belonging and therefore motivation. As well, by using scenarios from a variety of cultures and viewpoints, teachers can create a more diverse and inclusive learning environment.
LARP can be adaptable: LARP is flexible and can be adapted to a variety of different subjects and age levels. Teachers can use LARP to teach a wide range of concepts, from language and literature to STEM and history by making the successful outcome of an adventure dependent upon this knowledge. LARP can also be useful in Informal Learning environments where participants want an immersive learning experience.
LARP can teach SEL: LARP can provide a safe environment for participants to exercise positive social behaviors and relationships with their peers and adults. The safety to explore and decide which directions they want to take their character encourages students to bring those decisions to their lives. They build their own sense of moral, purpose, self-awareness and confidence which leads to decreased emotional distress, reduced risk-taking behavior, improved test scores, grades and attendance.
LARP can be entertaining: LARP can be a fun and enjoyable way to learn, which can help to create a positive and welcoming classroom environment.
LARP can teach Improv: Improvisational skills are vital in both the workplace and personal life. If the adventure is getting boring, a teacher can use improv to adjust the interactions and make the story more exciting.

LARP can be a challenge to use in educational settings if the students or teacher are confused by the “game” aspect of the adventure. This can best be addressed by creating a simplified LARP system that can be easily and quickly understood. Other venues, like summer camps, can have time to explore a more complete LARP system that can be profoundly immersive.

And yet, LARP can be a powerful and effective tool for engaging and educating students. By using LARP in the classroom, teachers can create a more dynamic, interactive, and inclusive learning environment, and help students to better understand and remember important concepts.

About: Guardian Adventures provides free and licensed educational games, adventures, and LARP systems for summer camps, schools, and recreation organizations.

How to incorporate STEM into your LARP

Using Online LARPs in the Off Season as a Summer Camp Retention Tool

What is Online LARP?

Why Use Online LARP for Camp Retention?

Steps to Implement Online LARP for Camp Retention

Best Practices for a Successful Online LARP Session

What is EduLARP?

Engaging and Interactive Learning Experience

Multidisciplinary Approach

Improving Communication and Social Emotional Learning

Encouraging Creativity and Critical Thinking

14 EduLARPs You Can Use in Class or Camp

Why Use LARP in Education?

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