Area Educator Involved in Development of PBS Video Game

Mike Scoville, an educator at Gibraltar Elementary School, contributed to the development and testing of a new, free online video game, The Legend of the Lost Emerald, which was released Feb. 22 at pbswisconsineducation.org/emerald/about.

The Legend of the Lost Emerald is a point-and-click adventure game in which players in grades 4-6 use critical thinking and historical inquiry skills by stepping into the shoes of Jules, a maritime archaeologist. Players dive underwater to gather clues, build evidence and uncover the real treasure ­– stories of shipwrecks inspired by Great Lakes history.

The game was produced by PBS Wisconsin Education, Wisconsin Sea Grant and Field Day Learning Games.

“The Legend of the Lost Emerald turned out great,” Scoville said. “I am so honored to have been a part of this project.”

Scoville was one of 18 educators from across the state who contributed to the initial design and play-testing of the video game.

“In 2020-21, I was reassigned to teach sixth grade from being in the library,” Scoville said. “That grade (the Class of 2027) saw pieces as the game developed. At one point, we even set up Zoom calls with the creative director and designer at Field Day Labs, Sarah Gagnon. Students got to comment on fashion design and details before they moved on to art design. The students talked about color and set-up along with the design of the characters themselves.”