Sustainers Game Design Frameworks

Game Summary

As franchise owner of Stellar Telecom Company, you are given missions which contain the objectives to restore and expand the telecommunication framework within the colonies on a space station. Once the tasks are completed you will then earn a specified salary to reinvest in your business.

Career Cluster/ Related Career Fields

Business Management and Administration,
Information Technology (IT)

Characteristics
(Aligned Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) for each job title

Telecommunications/Electrical Engineer-Design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Knowledge: Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics, Mathematics, English Language, Design, Physics, Telecommunications, Production and Processing
Skills: Active Listening, Troubleshooting, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Technology Design, Active Learning, Systems Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management
Abilities:  Deductive Reasoning, Near Vision, Problem Sensitivity, Information Ordering, Mathematical Reasoning, Oral Expression, Visualization, Oral Comprehension, Speech Clarity, Written Comprehension
State of Florida Hourly/Yearly Median Wage ($35.00/$72,800)
Telecommunications Line Installer/Repairer- String and repair telephone and television cable, including fiber optics and other equipment for transmitting messages or television programming.
Knowledge: Telecommunications, Customer and Personal Service, Computers and Electronics, English Language, Mathematics, Public Safety and Security, Engineering and Technology, Administration and Management.
Skills: Installation, Troubleshooting, Active Learning, Equipment Selection, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Instructing, Speaking, Equipment Maintenance.
Abilities: Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression, Arm-Hand Steadiness, Extent Flexibility, Manual Dexterity, Multilimb Coordination, Near Vision, Control Precision, Finger Dexterity, Problem Sensitivity
State of Florida Hourly/Yearly Median Wage ($16.22/$33,700)
Computer Information Systems Manager-  Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
Knowledge: Computers and Electronics, Administration and Management, Mathematics, English Language, Design, Clerical, Engineering and Technology, Economics and Accounting, Education and Training, Personnel and Human Resources
Skills: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning, Negotiation, Complex Problem Solving, Management of Financial Resources, Coordination, Systems Evaluation
Abilities: Oral Expression, Problem Sensitivity, Oral Comprehension, Written Comprehension, Deductive Reasoning, Near Vision, Speech Clarity, Inductive Reasoning, Information Ordering, Speech Recognition
State of Florida Hourly/Yearly Median Wage ($42.98/$89,400)
Management Analyst- Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplifications and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.
Knowledge: Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management, English Language, Personnel and Human Resources, Computers and Electronics, Clerical, Sales and Marketing, Education and Training
Skills: Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Listening, Coordination, Time Management, Instructing, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Operation and Control
Abilities: Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression, Written Comprehension, Inductive Reasoning, Written Expression, Deductive Reasoning, Problem Sensitivity, Information Ordering, Speech Clarity, Speech Recognition
State of Florida Hourly/Yearly Median Wage ($29.09/$60,500)
Operations Manager/CEO- Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of companies or public and private sector organizations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Includes owners and managers who head small business establishments whose duties are primarily managerial.
Knowledge: Administration and Management, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Law and Government, Personnel and Human Resources, Sales and Marketing, Mathematics, Public Safety and Security, Economics and Accounting, Production and Processing
Skills: Active Listening, Management of Personnel Resources, Time Management, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Management of Financial Resources, Active Listening, Persuasion
Abilities: Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension, Problem Sensitivity, Speech Clarity, Speech Recognition, Written Comprehension, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Near Vision, Written Expression
State of Florida Median Hourly/Yearly Wage ($40.32/$82,900)

Roles of Avatars & Non-playing Characters

Participant plays role of franchise owner and Telecommunication /Electrical Engineer.  Prepares specifications for purchase of materials and equipment. Performs detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications. Player chooses one of the following avatars to represent character:

Avatar 1:
Human Male
Avatar 2: Human Female
Avatar 3: Alien Male
Avatar 4: Alien Female
Avatar 5: Robot

NPC- Telecommunication Line Installer/Repairer-Builds, calibrates, maintains troubleshoots and repairs instruments or testing equipment. Carries out orders given by player. IT expert.
NPC-Computer Information Systems Manager-Member of technician team, carries out orders given by player
NPC-Management Analyst-Member of management team, assists Operations Manager in daily systems/procedures
NPC-General Operations Manager-Gives mission assignments and is responsible for managing the operations of the Stellar Company. Determines whether or not salary bonus or job promotion is applicable.

Video Support:

Introduction- Opening overview of game, with mathematician explaining the purpose of the game and detailing how math is integrated into the career cluster and career. Establishes the environment, context, and overall goal.
End Level 1- Summary at end of level 1, recap of progress using PDA and replacing a terminal, motivation to next level, reiteration of the math processes explored.
End Level 2- Summary at end of level 2, recap of progress replacing a router and purchasing supplies, motivation to next level, reiteration of the math processes explored. Additional ideas of how math interacts with career choices.
End Level 3 (Game Summary)- Summary at end of level 3, recap of progress replacing a series of routers and using technicians, motivation to next level, reiteration of the math processes explored. Additional information about how math is used in the career cluster.

Video Summary at each level

Introduction-
Information Technology (IT) 65 seconds
Career Profile Video Clip-“If you have the mental agility and flexibility to move with a fast-changing industry, the future is bright in Information Technology services. The world is increasingly dependent on Information Technology. Hospitals, schools, business, transportation, and government-every field of endeavor now relies on computers and the people who know how to make the computers work. Depending on the kind of position you take, you might need patience to provide information about something you know a lot about to people who don’t understand much beyond their keyboard. They may be frustrated, even frightened, when the computer they depend on isn’t functioning the way they expect and they’ll look to you to make it better. On a larger scale, Information Technology experts work to develop solutions to challenges in every field. Connecting doctors to analytical data, connecting corporations to business records, connecting marketers to a client base-all these and more are a part of the burgeoning field of IT.
End Level 1-Telecommunications/Electrical Engineer (EE) 64 seconds
Career Profile Video Clip-“Anyone who’s ever experienced a major power outage appreciates just how crucial electricity is to our everyday lives. Lights, motors, and countless other devices need electricity to operate. That’s where electrical engineers come in. Besides designing and testing electrical equipment, they oversee its manufacture, installation, and maintenance. In addition, these engineers work on complex electrical systems called grids that provide power for entire areas of the country. The work is intricate and demands great attention to detail. You must be able to follow technical manuals and diagrams. Knowledge of computers and electronics is essential. So is an aptitude for problem-solving. Most electrical engineers studied math and science in college, graduating with at least a bachelor’s degree. The work tends to follow a regular 40 hour schedule and is usually indoors. If you want a career that truly has the power to impact peoples’ lives consider becoming an electrical engineer.”
End Level 2- General Operations Manager/CEO (GOM) 66 seconds
Career Profile Video Clip-“Chief Executives and General Managers are at or near the top of the chain of command; and while they may ultimately report to a board of directors or the stockholders, they have a great deal of power within their organizations. With power comes a tremendous amount of responsibility. People in these positions are expected to provide both a vision of the future and the leadership to achieve it. If they succeed, they may be richly rewarded, but if they fail, they often lose their jobs. People become top executives by working their way up, either in a single company or by holding jobs of ever-increasing responsibilities in a variety of firms. Like politicians preparing to run for office years in advance, it is not uncommon for individuals to begin grooming themselves for positions while still in college. Not everyone can handle the pressure and the high risk/high reward nature of these positions. But those who can, usually find their jobs to be among the most satisfying in the business world.”
End Level 3 (Game Summary)-Information Technology (IT) 53 seconds
Career Profile Video Clip- “IT as the field is called requires intense training and ongoing education to keep up with the latest developments. Some positions in this field require in-depth training on a particular kind of equipment or software. The one sure thing about the future is that today’s equipment and software will be antiques in just a few years, so it will be necessary to get new training on a regular basis. After all, there are not many positions these days for typewriter repair people. A background in science, math, or engineering, is good preparation for a career in IT services. Just enjoying going online or getting good scores on video games isn’t enough. You have to be fascinated with the workings behind the screen. A logical and mathematical mind combined with creativity could take you far in this expanding field.”

Career Questions (embedded in Level Summary)

End of Level 1:  Telecommunications/Electrical Engineer
What are the normal work hours for this career?
*A. Full time 40 hours per week
B. Part time 20-30 hours per week
C. Full time + nights and weekends
D. Part time + nights and weekends
End of Level 2: General Operations Manager/CEO
What are two of the expectations associated with people in this career?
*A. Vision and leadership
B. Technical support and written communication
C. Installation and maintenance
D. Computer programming and web hosting

End of Level 3, Game Summary: Information Technology
What education background is good preparation for this career?
*A. Science, Mathematics, and Engineering
B. Language Arts, Reading, Written Comprehension
C. Business Management and Administration
D. Law, Public Safety, and Service

Sunshine State Standards
(Based on 2007 Draft Version Grades 7 and 8)

Level 1
Grade 7
BIG IDEA 1: Develop an understanding of and apply proportionality, including similarity
MA.7.A.1.2- Solve percent problems, including problems involving discounts, simple interest, taxes, tips and percents of increase or decrease
MA.7.A.1.5- Distinguish direct variation from other relationships, including inverse variation
MA.7.A.1.6-  Apply proportionality to measurement in multiple contexts, including scale drawings and constant speed
BIG IDEA 3: Develop an understanding of operations on all rational numbers and solving linear equations
MA.7.A.3.3- Formulate and use different strategies to solve 1-step and 2-step linear equations, including equations with rational coefficients
MA.7.A.6.2- Solve non-routine problems by working backwards
Grade 8
BIG IDEA 1: Analyze and represent linear functions and solve linear equations and systems of linear equations
MA.8.A.1.1- Create and interpret tables, graphs, and models to represent, analyze, and solve problems related to linear equations, including analysis of domain, range and the difference between discrete and continuous data
MA.8.A.1.3- Use tables, graphs, and models to represent, analyze, and solve real-world problems related to systems of linear equations
MA.8.A.1.5- Translate among verbal, tabular, graphical and algebraic representations of linear functions
MA.8.A.4.1- Solve literal equations for a specified variable
MA.8.A.6.4- Perform operations on real numbers (including integer exponents, radicals, percents, scientific notation, absolute value, rational numbers, irrational numbers) using multi-step and real world problems
Level 2
Grade 7
BIG IDEA 1: Analyze and represent linear functions and solve linear equations and systems of linear equations
MA.7.A.1.6- Apply proportionality to measurement in multiple contexts, including scale drawings and constant speed
BIG IDEA 3: Develop an understanding of operations on all rational numbers and solving linear equations
MA.7.A.3.1- Use and justify the rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and finding the absolute value of integers
MA.7.A.3.2- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers, fractions, and terminating decimals, and perform exponential operations with rational bases and whole number exponents including solving problems in everyday contexts
MA.7.A.3.3- Formulate and use different strategies to solve 1-step and 2-step linear equations, including equations with rational coefficients
MA.7.A.6.2- Solve non-routine problems by working backwards
Grade 8
BIG IDEA 1: Analyze and represent linear functions and solve linear equations and systems of linear equations
MA.8.A.1.1- Create and interpret tables, graphs, and models to represent, analyze, and solve problems related to linear equations, including analysis of domain, range and the difference between discrete and continuous data
MA.8.A.1.3- Use tables, graphs, and models to represent, analyze, and solve real-world problems related to systems of linear equations
MA.8.A.1.5- Translate among verbal, tabular, graphical and algebraic representations of linear functions
BIG IDEA 3: Analyze and summarize data sets
MA.8.S.3.1- Select, organize and construct appropriate data displays, including box and whisker plots, scatter plots, and lines of best fit to convey information and make conjectures about possible relationships

Level 3
Grade 7
BIG IDEA 1: Analyze and represent linear functions and solve linear equations and systems of linear equations
MA.7.A.1.6- Apply proportionality to measurement in multiple contexts, including scale drawings and constant speed
BIG IDEA 3: Develop an understanding of operations on all rational numbers and solving linear equations
MA.7.A.3.1- Use and justify the rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and finding the absolute value of integers
MA.7.A.3.2- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers, fractions, and terminating decimals, and perform exponential operations with rational bases and whole number exponents including solving problems in everyday contexts
MA.7.A.3.3- Formulate and use different strategies to solve 1-step and 2-step linear equations, including equations with rational coefficients
MA.7.A.6.2- Solve non-routine problems by working backwards
Grade 8
BIG IDEA 1: Analyze and represent linear functions and solve linear equations and systems of linear equations
MA.8.A.1.1- Create and interpret tables, graphs, and models to represent, analyze, and solve problems related to linear equations, including analysis of domain, range and the difference between discrete and continuous data
MA.8.A.1.3- Use tables, graphs, and models to represent, analyze, and solve real-world problems related to systems of linear equations
MA.8.A.1.5- Translate among verbal, tabular, graphical and algebraic representations of linear functions
BIG IDEA 3: Analyze and summarize data sets
MA.8.S.3.1- Select, organize and construct appropriate data displays, including box and whisker plots, scatter plots, and lines of best fit to convey information and make conjectures about possible relationships