GONCA SOLMAZ/GAZİEMİR SCIENCE AND ART CENTER/The Joy of Learning Through Play: A Month Full of Brain Games at Gaziemir Science and Art Center!

 

This May at Gaziemir Science and Art Center, we turned our classrooms into a festival of brain games! Our students had fun, thought critically, and once again discovered how creative and enjoyable learning can be. Through three different educational games, we explored hands-on, engaging activities that support both academic gains and holistic development.

We kicked things off with the timeless classic Snakes and Ladders—but with a twist! Our students brought the game to life by designing their own 3D versions using recycled cardboard boxes, toothpicks, and colorful paper. There were cheers when climbing the ladders and lessons in patience when sliding down the snakes. Through this creative process, students learned about recycling, developed fine motor skills, and engaged with science-based learning outcomes—all while playing a game!

Next came Q-Bitz, a vibrant and fast-paced game filled with geometric cubes and visual pattern cards. Our students sharpened their visual perception, attention, and spatial thinking as they raced to replicate patterns accurately and quickly. Some solved the designs at a glance, while others used persistence and focus to reach success—each round bringing new challenges and skills.

And then there was Q-Bitz Reversi… the memory-based version of the game! A real test of short-term memory and concentration: look at a pattern for 10 seconds, then recreate it from memory. It may sound tricky, and it was—but that only made it more fun! With plenty of laughs, surprised faces, and “Oops! I forgot that part!” moments, our students challenged themselves while enjoying every second.

With these three games, we at Gaziemir Science and Art Center created a powerful blend of learning, creativity, and play. Every move held a learning outcome, and every laugh was full of discovery. We're proud to offer a space where fun and education go hand in hand.