Sudoku-Based Educational Games for Developing STEM Skills

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/ecgbl.19.2.4096

Keywords:

educational game, game-based learning, computational thinking, mathematics, sudoku

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of Sudoku-based educational games aimed at developing learners’ mathematical and STEM-related skills, including computational thinking. The games incorporate traditional Sudoku puzzles enhanced with interactive elements and are tailored to various age groups and skill levels. The study applied a quantitative survey method involving participants from primary and secondary schools (sample sizes ranging from 17 to 43), who engaged in four distinct learning scenarios. Feedback collected via Likert-scale surveys assessed students’ motivation, engagement, and perceived educational value. Preliminary studies showed that described Sudoku-based activities are well-received among students and teachers and have the potential to enhance students' motivation and engagement. This innovative approach highlights the potential of game-based learning to promote mathematical literacy, scientific literacy, development of computational thinking and bridges the gap between entertainment and education. 

Author Biographies

Vedrana Mikulić Crnković, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Rijeka

Vedrana Mikulić Crnković is an associate professor of mathematics at Faculty of Mathematics, University of Rijeka. Her scientific interest is in the field of combinatorics. In addition to scientific and teaching activities, she is very active in science promotion and involved in several projects dealing with teaching of mathematics.

Bojan Crnković, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Faculty of Mathematics, Croatia

Bojan Crnković is an associate professor at the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Rijeka. His scientific interests are numerical analysis, differential equations, dynamic systems, and the application of mathematics in engineering. In addition to scientific research, he actively participates in the education and popularization of science for children and adults.

Martina Holenko Dlab, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Faculty of Informatics and Digital Technologies, Croatia

Dr. Martina Holenko Dlab is an associate professor and head of the Chair of Multimedia Systems and E-Learning at the Faculty of Informatics and Digital Technologies, University of Rijeka, Croatia. Her research interests are in the field of e-learning and include game-based learning, recommender systems, and computer-supported collaborative learning.

Ivona Traunkar, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Faculty of Mathematics, Croatia

Ivona Traunkar is a postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Mathematics, University of Rijeka, Croatia. Her scientific interests are discrete mathematics, coding theory, and design theory. She actively participates in various manifestations with the goal of education and popularization of mathematics.

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Published

2025-09-26

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 2 (2025): The Proceedings of the 19th European Conference on Games Based Learning

Section

Academic Papers