Learning Games Lab innovates, inspires, receives 2024 IP Award

For two decades, NMSU’s Learning Games Lab has designed and tested video games, not just for youth, but alongside them. Working together, youth and media developers have shared experiences and knowledge to aid in the creation of science-based, computer-enhanced educational programs such as games, animations and interactive tools. In September 2024, the Learning Games Lab, part of the Innovative Media Research and Extension Department in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Science, celebrated its 20th anniversary. 

“We were doing media and games well before we started the Games Lab,” says Department Head Barbara Chamberlin ’93 ’96. “The department was working on their first game in 1990, and delivered educational games in kiosks, on floppy disk and on CD-ROM before the internet took hold. When we started the Learning Games Lab, we were able to regularly and consistently bring in youth on the game design process.” 

In April 2024, the Learning Games Lab team was awarded the 2024 Intellectual Property Award presented by NMSU’s Arrowhead Center and the Office of Research, Creativity and Economic Development. The award recognizes NMSU faculty or staff who have developed intellectual property and demonstrated work to realize societal, industrial and commercial benefits.

“Over the years, we have benefited tremendously from Arrowhead’s expertise and guidance on technology licensing,” says Amy Smith Muise ’06, Innovative Media Research and Extension editor. “They have been with us every step of the way as we explored avenues to reach larger audiences with our games and multimedia tools.”

The Learning Games Lab has trademarked its popular game brand, “Math Snacks,” and secured copyrights for 14 games, four interactive programs, four apps, one app suite, a Virtual Insect Collection Lab module, a collection of interactives, animations and videos on the “Science of Agriculture” and a collection of food safety Virtual Labs. 

“We take our land-grant mission seriously: to improve the lives of citizens through research-based information,” Chamberlin says. “We distribute the work of the ACES college through our more than 40 games and interactive tools, played millions of times each year, and copyrighted New Mexico State University.”