University Professor Incorporates Fantasy Novel into Engineering Course

• Video game, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, used for education.
• Main character's abilities catch attention of college professor.
• Course "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to Machine Design" introduced.
• Unexpected educational benefits in machine design and engineering found.
• Course structure promotes student engagement and practical application.

Unconventional Teaching Methods: Video Games Enter the Classroom

Three elfin heroes are huddled over a map, their backdrop filled with detailed blueprints. The image, courtesy of Nintendo and Shutterstock artist Aleksandr Artt, is a snapshot from the popular game The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This game is making waves not just for its innovative gameplay, but also for its educational value.

Link's New Skills and Their Real-World Applications

Link, the main character, showcases new abilities that allow players to construct various devices ranging from functional computers to, rather humorously, flamethrowers. These unique building mechanics have caught the attention of an unexpected audience: a college professor.

Engineering and Robotics Meet Gaming

Spotted on the Nintendo Switch subreddit, Ryan Sochol, the associate professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Bioinspired Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory at the University of Maryland, is utilizing this popular open-world action-adventure game to enhance students' understanding of machine construction and design.

A Unique Approach to Teaching

In a November 12 YouTube video, Sochol introduced his course, "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to Machine Design." This course will leverage various aspects of the game, from its physics to its Rune abilities like Fuse and Ultrahand, to provide mechanical engineering students a unique perspective into the world of robotics.

Surprising Educational Benefits

"What surprised me, as I was playing through Tears of the Kingdom, was the unexpected emphasis on machine design and engineering," Sochol shared in his video. He further explained that the game's machine elements such as rockets, motorized wheels, and propellers, each use energy differently, providing a rich learning experience.

Course Structure and Student Engagement

The course is designed to be interactive and engaging. Students are grouped into teams and given a Nintendo Switch with a physical copy of Tears of the Kingdom and a Pro Controller. They first learn the basics of the game's machine elements to complete in-game problem-solving challenges. This is followed by an analysis of a specific machine element under various circumstances. The final challenge involves designing and constructing a transforming, bioinspired, amphibious robotic vehicle for an in-class race. The fastest robot secures an A+ for the team.

Future Prospects

Sochol sees this innovative approach to teaching as just the beginning. "We hope to leverage this special opportunity in which a video game is actually able to provide reasonably authentic and relevant learning experiences for students to inspire a lasting interest and confidence in machine design, engineering, and robotics," he concluded in his YouTube video.

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