Level up your NGSS with easy to implement game-based learning.
Tyto Online is built for the NGSS, with built-in best practices like students making sense of anchoring phenomena, learning through storylines, and engaging in three-dimensional learning. Students are participating in inquiry and solving authentic problems in every activity.
Our Approach
Students engage with inquiry by starting with scientific phenomena that they need to figure out, or problems they need to solve. For example, in one Storyline they observe ants who have been infected with the cordyceps fungus (the “zombie”-like fungus that has inspired many pop culture stories)!
We’re built for three-dimensional learning. By engaging in our content, students use Science & Engineering Practices (like analyzing data), thinking through the lenses of Crosscutting Concepts (like cause and effect), in order to figure out content areas (like ecosystem change & stability).
Our content is designed as scaffolded Storylines that start with anchoring phenomena and build to understanding. We help your science teachers incorporate the new engineering standards, since many of these Storylines include them, having students make recommendations to solve problems and evaluate competing design solutions.
Evidence-based.
Research is the base of everything we do: from our pedagogical approach to how we iterate on our product’s design.
- Two pilot studies showed effectiveness
Including a 12% increase in science and engineering skills during a study for our NSF pilot.
- Based on Game-Based Learning Research
We’ve incorporated what works for game-based best practices, like simulations and immersive role-playing.
- Science Learning Research
Our pedagogical approach also pulls from science best practices, using phenomena, problem-based learning, and direct engagement in practices.
Ready to work with us?
Equally engage your underrepresented students
Our approach is based on key research about strategies that sustain the STEM interest of marginalized students.
- Shows the social impact of STEM careers by solving authentic problems like resolving a food shortage.
- Displaces stereotypes by showing the creative & collaborative nature of science careers; and includes diverse characters in those roles.
- Provides varied ways to represent knowledge instead of only being language-heavy.
Smooth Implementations Ahead!
We've got your back. All the support & materials you need to smoothly implement
Tyto Online in your school and district, and level up your team's NGSS game.
Middle School Content
Right now, we focus on middle school. We cover most of Life Science & some of Earth & Space Science, including climate change.
View ContentTechnology Support
We're available right in the web browser on most Chromebooks, Windows, or Mac computers.
View Tech Requirements
Assessment Data to Power Personalized Learning
Assessment data is gathered naturally as students play, and is collected to measure performance towards standards. Students who are struggling are highlighted to help teachers personalize instruction.
Teacher Guides & Supplemental Materials
Tyto Online comes with a complete set of Teacher Guides and supplemental activities, like the Summary Table (right) that students use to track their learning.
View Sample Teacher Guide
Effective Professional Development
We don't believe in "one and done" PD. Your teachers need more support between new games and new standards. So we set up an ongoing online course and community to provide a stellar level of support.
Learn more about our PDWhat Teachers Are Saying
"I used the Ecology module with my students during our online learning. It was great in that it challenged them to continuously problem solve over time."
"It was great to see that it gave the kids experiences more closely related to the real world instead of a simulation that magically works itself out. Kids collapsed their entire ecosystem section and then had to figure out what caused this and how to try again."
Jana Downey
7th Grade Science Teacher at Huntington Middle School in San Marino, CA
“It’s tragic you can't hear the happy chatter right now when they are all building and seeing it all come together!!"
"The conversations were spot on ie ‘Oh NO! The ferns are being invasive, I need to add something that will eat them and control them.’”
Kelly Bradford
5th Grade STEM Teacher at Envision Science Academy in Wake Forest, NC
The folks at Tyto Online are doing some 🤯 (mindblowing) work with Game-Based Learning and Next Generation Science Standards. Thanks Lindsey for all of the amazing support for our students and staff. #edtechLSC
Michael Drezek
District Technology Integrator/Teacher Leader for the Lake Shore Central School District, Angola, NY
“We were blessed to discover Tyto Online at just the right time. Not only did it support distance learners, but it perfectly connects to our curriculum. We have been making connections to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and including more Culturally-Responsive Teaching. In particular, learning about an epidemic during a pandemic in a safe and supportive environment was amazing.
My gender fluid students embraced the ability to create an avatar that reflected themselves. As a teacher, I loved that the motivation of an actual RPG with scientific principles accomplished all of these goals. The team at Immersed Games has been exceptionally responsive with outstanding teacher resources.”