Geauga Park District Executive Director John Oros highlighted how many players embarked on a new learning experience with a free app-based game called Agents of Discovery during the GPD Board of Commissioners March 18 meeting.
Geauga Park District Executive Director John Oros highlighted how many players embarked on a new learning experience with a free app-based game called Agents of Discovery during the GPD Board of Commissioners March 18 meeting.
Oros said the app debuted in Geauga County last year and played a video from March 7 that featured GPD outdoor recreation specialist Trevor Wearstler giving a tutorial of the app.
“Agents of Discovery was played at The West Woods from April through December an estimated 1,821 times by 203 accounts, which is the equivalent of more than 435 miles traveled in the park and roughly three weeks of engagement with nature,” Oros said.
Agents of Discovery is a digital education technology platform featuring a web-based dashboard where educators can easily turn their content into augmented reality games using a cloud-based library or their own customized materials.
The platform allows educators to deliver their programming in an affordable, fun and innovative way, according to the Agents of Discovery website.
Wearstler explained how the app lets players explore parks and teaches about nature and the environment through quizzes.
“The idea behind Agents is to move around and find different trigger points and it will ask you a question,” Wearstler said, adding the game can be downloaded through the app store or by scanning a QR code.
Agents is easy, free and fun for all ages, Wearstler added.
“Once you have downloaded Agents of Discovery, it’s easy to create a new account. Simply open the app, tap login and then tap sign up at the bottom of the screen,” he said.
GPD staff recognizes young people are on their phones a lot, Oros said.
“This is a creative way to get our young people out in the parks that utilize the app on their phones,” he said.
In other business, park commissioners approved the following items:
- Contract award of $90,420 to Cunningham Paving Company for asphalt improvements to The Rookery P
- An agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for replacing The West Woods bridge south of Kinsman Road on state Route 87 in Russell Township.
