flappynauta

One of the greatest responsibilities for each generation is to inspire the next generation of changemakers. FlappyNauta aims to get kids excited about space exploration and technology by providing them a fun, modern game. The game builds off of the popular game Flappy Bird to show players the effect of gravity on different planets. Players wear a physical game controller based on an astronaut's manned maneuvering unit (MMU) and control the digital bird to fly on planets with different gravities. On the Sun, for example, the gravity is so strong that players must click very quickly to keep the bird afloat. Alternatively, on Mars where the gravity is almost one-third that of earth's, each click sends the bird flying smoothly over a greater distance.

Our team came together around a passion for creating innovative play experiences that kids love. Andrea and Sam are toy and game inventors and Giovanny is a volunteer teacher. During the hackathon, we created a working prototype of the physical MMU-based game controller and the digital game. The immediate next steps are to create a higher-fidelity prototype of the game controller and to publish FlappyNauta online. Our longer-term plan is (1) to include FlappyNauta alongside the other games available on the NASA Kids' Club website with a Do-It-Yourself tutorial on how to create the MMU, (2) to create installations for Children's Museums around the world, and (3) to promote integrative, educational play in schools.

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