Games design as learning tool for Science: The photonics games competition experience

Board Games have proved to be effective motivational and learning tools, in particular for Science and for STEM in general (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). In the ambit of the EU Project Photonics4All and of the UNESCO "2015 International Year of Light" we exploited not only the playing experience but also the process of creation of original board games with the objective to foster interest in Science among youth and general public and as learning tool for complex scientific topics such as Photonics. The adopted methodology is based on a series of laboratories of Scientific Board Game Design held in schools and Science Festivals (with an amount of about 800 participants overall), together with a national competition for High School Students, "Photonics Games", which involved about 430 students from all-over Italy that realized 28 original board games on light and Photonics. The results of these experiences are particularly interesting, with a very positive feedback from participating teachers and students from the point of view of impact, involvement, and also quality of produced games. We present the results of this activity and discuss issues and perspectives.