Mars Escape: Increasing Self-Efficacy and Self-Regulating Behaviors of Low-Income Youth Through Game-Play

Abstract

The poverty cycle in the United States is continued by the lack of academic achievement of low-income students. This paper describes the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a game-based learning module aimed at increasing academic achievement among low-income youth. Research shows that self-efficacy, or one’s belief in his or her ability to complete tasks and reach goals, and self-regulating behaviors, or the methods we employ to monitor our progress towards our goals, have a profound impact on academic achievement. The purpose of this project was to increase both self-efficacy and self-regulating behaviors through a fun and engaging environment. The target audience of the project was low-income 3rd-5th graders. The game was implemented in two afterschool programs that serve low-income youth in Baton Rouge, LA.