Sparky’s Brain Busters

Sparky’s Brain Busters is a game-based app that asks users questions in categories that include: fire safety, math, science, and social studies. When first launching the app, users must enter their name and choose or upload a picture. Next, users must select if they wish to play a solo, multiplayer, or classroom game. (To play a multiplayer or classroom game, users must be connected to the same WiFi network.) Each game is formatted so users spin to see which category of question they will be asked. As the question loads, users are presented a fact about the topic. Once the question loads, users are given a certain amount of time to answer it, and the questions are either multiple choice or true/false. When choosing a solo game, users must first select the rigor of the questions. In order to win, users must earn five character badges in a set amount of time, and they must answer three questions correctly to earn a character badge. When playing a multiplayer game, users take turn answering questions or race to see who can answer 15 questions the quickest. When playing a classroom game, the teacher spins for the category and students answer the questions on their own device. The app automatically tracks who answered correctly and keeps score.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can create a friendly class competition. To do so, teachers can create a round-robin tournament bracket for their students, and let students play each other using this app to determine who will advance. The winner can be awarded with a homework pass or extra credit points.
2. After students become familiar with the questions asked by this app, teachers can put them in small groups and assign each group a question category used by this app. Next, teachers can have the groups make multiple choice and true/false questions aligned to their category. Students can use an Office app to write their questions, and then email the questions to their teacher. The teacher can then collect the questions and use them to create an in-class trivia activity.
3. In the theme of Fire Prevention, teachers can visit sparkyschoolhouse.org for additional resources and activities.
4. Between activities or during down time, teachers can have students use this app as a way to engage students while waiting for other students.

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