Meet Carrol Titus: The Visionary Behind 'Unicorn Blue,' the Series that Fuses History, Adventure, and STEAM Education
In today's fast-paced world, keeping children engaged in learning can be a daunting task. Enter Carrol Titus, the creative mind behind "Unicorn Blue," a series that doesn't just aim to entertain but to educate.
The series includes a book and mobile app that provide lessons on the life cycle, unique character adaptations and coming-of-age struggles of unicorns.
1) The origin book is a classic hero’s journey that follows the path of Unicorn Blue through Yosemite to find her BFF aka Child Caradoodle.
2) The mobile game brings these historic places future-forward with 3D/AR activities that deeply enliven and enrich the learning experience. .
In a nutshell, the series connects kids everywhere with the power of place-based learning and the science behind it.
A Unique Gaming Experience
"We want to capture the imagination of kids while also giving them the educational grounding they need in STEAM subjects,” says Titus.
Players embark on an adventure in a vibrant world, accompanied by a unique sword character named Jester. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Carrol elaborates, "You have to play all five levels to earn one unit coin. And with that, you can feed your pet, but you can't have a pet unless you do the pet lab. It's a forcing function that makes the kids do the homework, basically."
More Than Just Fun
What sets this game apart is its ingenious blend of informal and formal learning environments. "They're in a simulated 3D environment. So they have to learn how to traverse inside that space. It is a 3D physics engine that they're encountering," explains Titus. This provides a fundamental understanding of spatial awareness and physical properties, even for those just playing for fun.
"But the labs are kind of more like the formal lesson of what they've been doing," Titus continues. "We have labs that go through the Newtonian laws of motion such as one on flight and one on coding as a specific application of that motion. It’s what we call macro and micro pathways to ensure the student is deeply learning the concept.”
Diverse Educational Content
"And it doesn't stop there," Titus adds, listing off additional labs in biophysics, geophysics, nuclear physics, sound, ecosystems, and even a poppy life cycle to keep things fresh. "We're basically assessing them on what they're learning while they're playing the game. This used to be external, but now we've made it accessible inside the game." Students see their progress through a personalized dashboard that tracks all learning activities completed.
Learning with Pets
"The game includes a 'pet lab,' where kids can choose between pets like unicorns, firebirds, or dragons," says Titus. “The pet lab serves a dual purpose: it reiterates key educational elements and improves social emotional intelligence through active play.” "Completing labs allows you to feed your pets treats. While it’s fun, it’s not the main focus. Our ultimate aim is to prepare students for the 21st Century," Titus emphasizes.
Call to Action: Your Adventure Awaits!
For Parents
Try it Out: Download Unicorn Blue 2: Adventures in Unitopia on your iPad and discover a world of education and adventure. Play through all 50 activities and capture the moment with fairy dust or a dancing pet caradoodle!
Observe and Learn: When playing labs like magnetics and the firebird fly, watch how your kids develop skills like critical thinking, analytical reasoning and problem-solving.
Order the Origin Book: “Unicorn Blue and the Caradoodle Quest” is available from Golden Poppy, Barnes & Noble and Amazon. When finished reading, celebrate with a tea party and scones!
For Educators
Connect with Carrol Titus at info@goldenpoppy.net to discuss how "Unicorn Blue" can be implemented in the classroom as an effective educational tool.
In the fusion of history, adventure, and education, "Unicorn Blue" emerges as a revolutionary game that offers more than just entertainment—it promises a comprehensive learning experience, making it a win-win for children, parents, and educators alike.