Exploring Decomposition Through Break It Down

Game Metadata

• Game Name: Break It Down
• Designer/Developer: PBS Kids, Plum Landing
• Platform: Browser-based game
• Subject: Biology
• High-Level Instructional Goal: Teach players about decomposition, soil formation, and the role of decomposers in ecosystems.
• Link to Game: Break It Down

Educational Goals

The primary learning objective of Break It Down is to teach players about the role of decomposers in breaking down organic materials and how this process contributes to soil formation. The game demonstrates the connections between various decomposers (e.g. leafcutter ants, mushrooms, termites, actinobacteria, carrion beetles, insects, and bacteria) and specific types of organic matter, such as leaves, dead logs, dead animals, and poop. By matching decomposers with the appropriate waste materials, players gain an understanding of how ecosystems recycle nutrients. The game assumes some prior knowledge of basic ecosystems and organic matter but visually supports players by showing connections through graphics and guided interactions. This knowledge could transfer to real-world environmental science topics, such as composting, soil health, or understanding food webs.

Game Elements

The core gameplay loop involves firing the cannon with a given decomposer at the corresponding waste materials. Players must aim and match each decomposer to the correct material (e.g. leafcutter ants to leaves) to break it down into soil. The primary verbs players engage in are “aim” and “fire,” while the nouns are the decomposers, waste materials, and soil. The outer loop tracks progress through the soil meter, encouraging players to complete levels by processing all available waste. After the player accumulates enough soil, which is tracked by the soil meter, they are introduced to either new pairs of decomposers and waste materials or a fun fact. The gameplay experience is engaging, with a mix of strategy and reflexes, as players must think about which decomposer to use and aim accurately. The cheerful animations and feedback create a rewarding, lighthearted atmosphere that maintains player motivation.

Learning Mechanisms

Break It Down utilizes sense-making and fluency-building mechanisms by repeatedly associating specific decomposers with certain materials. It employs immediate feedback through both visual and auditory cues to reinforce the learning process. When players correctly match a decomposer to its corresponding waste material, for example, leafcutter ants to leaves, the waste material visibly transforms, such as leaves turning into pulps, accompanied by a rewarding sound effect. This positive reinforcement strengthens the association between decomposers and their roles in decomposition. Conversely, if players make an incorrect match, for instance, aiming mushrooms at leaves instead of pulps, a distinct error sound plays, and the waste material either remains unchanged or increases. This feedback system allows players to quickly identify and correct their mistakes without breaking the flow of the game. The game also uses variability by introducing new decomposers and materials as the player progresses, gradually increasing complexity and engagement.

This multisensory approach supports learning by engaging players through auditory and visual feedback, which helps reinforce associations and improve retention over time. The use of sound effects and immediate results aligns with fluency-building principles, allowing players to recognize and internalize patterns quickly. It also keeps the gameplay engaging and dynamic, making it easier to stay motivated while learning decomposition concepts.

Overall Critique

Break It Down is a solid example of an educational game that combines engaging gameplay with meaningful learning opportunities. The interactive cannon mechanic and visually rich design make it appealing and enjoyable for younger audiences. It effectively demonstrates the decomposition process, though its reliance on matching mechanics may limit a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind decomposition. Adding more explicit explanations or incorporating short challenges that emphasize the reason each decomposer is effective could enhance its educational value. Overall, the game succeeds in making decomposition fun and accessible, fulfilling its goal of teaching players about soil formation in an interactive way.

Although the game does a great job of using visual and auditory feedback to engage players and reinforce their actions it risks relying too much on visual pattern matching instead of promoting a deeper understanding of the concepts. For instance, players might recognize the image of actinobacteria and match it with the right waste material without remembering what actinobacteria are or their role in decomposition. In this case, the game turns into a matching game without much educational value as players progress through the game without fully grasping the educational content. 

To address this, the game could add features like displaying and vocalizing the name of the decomposer when it’s selected for the cannon or aimed at a specific waste material. For example, when the cannon is loaded with a decomposer and the dotted white line connects it to the waste, the game could spell out and say, "Actinobacteria breaks down smaller pieces of dead logs." This would help players connect the visuals with scientific terminology and better retain the information. These small changes would make the game more effective in achieving its educational goals by ensuring that players are learning, not just matching images.