Conference on Non-Digital Game-Based Learning in Physics and STEM Disciplines

Administration

Description

The call for applications is open. Please click on 'Apply here' (on the left) to submit your application.

An ICTP Meeting

The use of games is a well-established teaching technique widely used at different levels of education in many countries.

The current focus of research on educational gaming is frequently concentrated on digital-only platforms, such as apps for tablets and PCs, and webapps. However, the objective of this conference is to convene experts and users of non-digital tabletop games to teach physics and other STEM subjects for secondary and higher education, including board, card, dice and tile-based games. The advantages of using non-digital technology against its computer-based counterparts include cost-effectiveness, ease of use in remote regions with limited resources and infrastructure, accessibility to learners with special needs, and the possibility of local development or localisation at a low cost.

During the course of the activity, a selection of free, open-source and commercial tabletop games will be demonstrated with hands-on sessions, and case studies of various game development experiences for STEM education in Italy and abroad will be presented by the authors.

The activity is primarily intended for educators and researchers interested in using, creating or localising tabletop games for STEM disciplines. Particular attention will be given to participants.

Topics

Best practices in the design of educational non-digital tabletop games for Physics and STEM disciplines in secondary and higher education.
Accessibility considerations for learners with special needs.
The role of games in various educational environments, including formal (schools and universities), informal and non-traditional (museums, libraries, and after-school programmes) and community-driven game-based learning initiatives.
Practical hands-on examples of non-digital tabletop games for Physics and STEM.

Speakers
R. Blanos, OGS, Trieste
L. Bonaventura, Politecnico di Milano
F. Chiarello, Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies IFN-CNR, Rome
S. Crechici Modiano, Trieste
D. Manna, White Cocal Press, Trieste
A. Mattiassi, Universita' di Trieste*
S. Ricciardi, INAF, Bologna*
A. Sidoti, Istituto Nazionale Fisica Nucleare, Bologna
M. Tuncay Karabulut, Fettah Tamince Vocational and Technical Anatolian Maritime High School, Turkiye
M. Yang, United Nations University Institute in Macau
*TBD

Grants: A limited number of grants are available to support the attendance of selected participants, with priority given to participants from developing countries. There is no registration fee.

Material

Abstract Templates Poster

Conference on Non-Digital Game-Based Learning in Physics and STEM Disciplines | (smr 4206)

Go to day

Tuesday, 23 June 2026
- 09:00 - 09:30
  - 09:00 Welcome and Introduction to the Workshop 30'
    
    Speaker: Carlo FONDA (ICTP, Italy), Gaia FIOR (ICTP, Italy)
- 10:00 - 16:30
  - 10:00 Zoom talk 30'
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Remote
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    Speaker: Sara RICCIARDI* (*TBC) (INAF, Bologna)
  - 10:30 Coffee/Game Break 30'
  - 11:00 TBD 1h0'
    
    Speaker: Alan MATTIASSI* (*TBC)
  - 12:00 Lunch Break 1h30'
  - 13:30 TBD 1h0'
  - 14:30 Hands-on game session 1h0'
    
    Speaker: Diego MANNA (White Cocal Press, Trieste)
  - 15:30 Analysis of the game I 1h0'
    
    Speaker: Diego MANNA (White Cocal Press, Trieste)
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
- 09:00 - 16:30
  - 09:00 Inclusive STEM Education in Rural Peru: Non-Digital Learning and Mobile FabLab Approaches 30'
    
    Speaker: George Steve FAJARDO SORIA (Geophysical Institute of Peru)
  - 09:30 TBD 1h0'
    
    Speaker: Fabio CHiARELLO (Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies IFN-CNR, Rome)
  - 10:30 Coffee/Game Break 30'
  - 11:00 DG Hero Game to deepen learners’ understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to stimulate creativity and engagement in Macau community actions 30'
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Remote
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    Speaker: Min YANG (United Nations University Institute in Macau)
  - 11:30 TBD 30'
  - 12:00 Lunch Break 1h30'
  - 13:30 Game session 1h0'
    
    Speaker: Fabio CHiARELLO (Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies IFN-CNR, Rome)
  - 14:30 Analysis of the game II 1h0'
    
    Speaker: Diego MANNA (White Cocal Press, Trieste)
  - 15:30 TBD 1h0'
Thursday, 25 June 2026
- 09:00 - 18:30
  - 09:00 The GAME project at Istituto Nazionale Fisica Nucleare 1h0'
    
    Speaker: Antonio SIDOTI (Istituto Nazionale Fisica Nucleare, Bologna)
  - 10:00 Device-free interactive teaching in a flipped classroom framework for an international group of STEM master degree students 30'
    
    Speaker: Luca BONAVENTURA (Politecnico di Milano)
  - 10:30 Coffee/Game Break 30'
  - 11:00 Hadron Builders: A Tactile Board Game for the Standard Model 30'
    
    Speaker: Melek TUNCAY KARABULUT (Fettah Tamince Vocational and Technical Anatolian Maritime High School, Turkiye)
  - 11:30 TBD 30'
  - 12:00 Lunch Break 1h30'
  - 13:30 TBD 1h0'
    
    Speaker: Rita BLANOS (OGS, Trieste)
  - 14:30 Hands-on game session: Pelagos 1h0'
    
    Speaker: Diego MANNA (White Cocal Press, Trieste)
  - 15:30 Analysis of the game III 1h0'
    
    Speaker: Diego MANNA (White Cocal Press, Trieste)
  - 16:30 Visit to MODIANO (Company producing card games) 2h0'
    
    Speaker: Stefano CRECHICI (Modiano, Trieste)