Gamers Solve Scientific Problems

How did gamers use the computer game Foldit to solve the protein folding mystery?
They created what it might look like and studied it.

Who can participate in this problem solving and be a player in Foldit?
Anyone with strong critical thinking skills can participate in the solution.

What can critical thinking do for science?
Critical thinking in people gives the opportunity to people who don't have a background in Bio-Chemistry to solve puzzles that have been bothering scientist for decades.

If you could solve a mystery through gaming for any kind of disease or illness in the world, what would it be?

all the Cancer there is, all types of them, with a 100% certainty that it would be cured for those people who have it.

Mini-Game

Do you play games in your free time?

Yes, I play the Wii or the Nintendo 64.

Which ones do you play and why are they your favorite?

I play Super Mario Bros, Epic Mickey and Kingdom Hearts

Does this topic give you a new perspective about playing games?

Yes, because I want my game to have good graphics the way these games do and that are very fun.

September 11th

How Old Were You on September 11th, 2001?
I was 3 years old on September 11th, 2001.
When did you first learn about the attacks and who explained the events to you?
I first remember learning about it when I was about 6 years old and that's when I was reading a book about the World Trade Center in New York, because I wanted to visit there, and when I asked my Dad about it he explained everything to me about what happened and who they thought or knew did it. Although he never told me why they did it, I guess he didn't know the reason why.
What kind of impact does this have on your life and your parents lives?
On my life I feel frightened to travel by airplanes in fear of it being hijacked by terrorists, and even afraid to visit places like the new World Trade Center they're building on Ground Zero.I think it effected my parents by traveling, being worried about my Brother and I and our school.
What was the Issue with this game?
The issue was that the game disrespected the people who were victims in 9/11 and re-enacted this horrid event making it impossible for you to click all the planes before they crashed into the Twin Towers.
How do you feel about it?
I feel that the people who thought it was disrespectful, were right, because it says that in the game that its nearly impossible to click all the planes trying to crash into the World Trade Center and no matter what one will slip by and hit the Twin Towers.
What is the problem with portraying on such an awful violent event through a video game?
I think there are countless problems with portraying and awful event through video games, because it could bring back bad memories for people who witnessed this event and be disrespectful towards people who had family or friends die in 9/11.
How can you make sure that your web games tell the whole story or teach a lesson in an honorable way?
By not re-enacting an event in a disrespectful way, the way the person did their game.
Maybe even giving an "In Loving Memory" quote for those people who died at the event or an "I'm Grateful to" people who are still risking their lives for us now.