2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Mathematics is often perceived by Latin American engineering students as abstract and complex, resulting in low engagement and entrenched negative attitudes. For some time, we have continually worked toward methodologies that enhance student motivation and engagement, ultimately aiming to improve performance in mathematics courses. In particular, active learning approaches such as gamification have proven effective in increasing motivation while making abstract mathematical concepts more accessible. They also foster problem-solving skills, perseverance, and critical thinking—competencies essential for every engineering student. While traditional gamified activities, such as Kahoot, Wayground (formerly Quizizz), and Jeopardy-like problem-solving contests, have been integrated into courses, many students remain more attracted to video game formats playable on personal devices.
To address this gap, this paper introduces a novel approach that takes advantage of AI-assisted tools to transform traditional review worksheets into interactive, video game-like experiences for calculus courses. This strategy aims to align students' engagement with contemporary gaming preferences while maintaining course content, making review sessions more appealing without compromising mathematical rigor. The initiative includes a series of “Fun Study Guides,” in which conceptual questions, exercises, and application problems are reimagined as AI-generated game prototypes. Each game follows a well-known video game format and is accessible to students through standard web browsers.
Among the different video game prototypes designed for our sequence of mathematics courses for engineering, three stand out. “Multivariable Calculus: Arcade Challenge”, employs a fast-paced arcade format to reinforce conceptual and procedural fluency in solving typical problems in multivariable calculus. In this game, students practice core calculus skills under timed challenges and receive immediate feedback to encourage repetition and mastery. “Integral Invaders" embeds integration techniques within a space-shooter framework, combining real-time interaction with immediate feedback to promote active engagement and iterative learning. Finally, “Quantico: Numerical Mission” integrates narrative and problem-based elements, positioning students as agents solving classical numerical methods problems—such as root finding, interpolation, and numerical integration—to advance through different exploratory missions.
Regarding technical requirements, all video game prototypes were developed as HTML5 web applications, making them lightweight, accessible, and low-cost tools that require no additional software installation. They incorporate interactive elements such as timers, score counters, ranking tables, and progress indicators to enhance motivation and interaction. This project exemplifies how AI-driven innovation can transform traditional course materials into gamified digital environments that promote cognitive activation, persistence, and overall improvement in the student learning experience.
This paper documents the design and implementation of these video game prototypes, illustrating their potential to bridge the gap between conventional review practices and modern student expectations. By providing practical examples and discussing methods for creating such games using readily available AI tools, we aim to inspire instructors to adopt emerging technologies as a scalable strategy for enhancing active learning in engineering mathematics courses.