For students studying reproductive physiology, complex concepts can sometimes feel abstract or overwhelming. Associate Professor Caitlin Cadaret designed the Reproductive Trail™ to transform those details into a dynamic classroom game that takes students on a microscopic journey through the reproductive system.
The Reproductive Trail™ is designed to enhance students’ understanding of the intricate concepts of reproductive physiology. This engaging learning experience transforms the microscopic journey of sperm through the female animal reproductive tract into an interactive board game.
Understanding reproduction at a microscopic level can be challenging for students. The game allows players to navigate the bovine reproductive system, encountering various activities essential for successful pregnancy along the way. Participants take on the role of sperm cells, advancing through key anatomical regions by answering questions related to reproductive physiology. This blend of active learning and enjoyable challenges, coupled with support and penalty cards that simulate real biological processes, reinforces key concepts in a hands-on manner—especially beneficial for large lecture courses with limited lab access. The insights gained from the game help students make informed decisions in livestock breeding.
As players progress, they traverse critical anatomical structures such as the cervix, uterus, and oviduct, answering questions about physiology and related events in each area. The game features decks of questions and event cards aligned with each anatomical region, creating a dynamic educational challenge that reflects both supportive and obstructive events in reproduction. The objective is to be the first to reach the ovary and correctly answer a final fertilization question.
Cadaret, a board game enthusiast, recognized the potential for transforming these concepts into a board game format. “I’m a big board game fan, and I was teaching a step-by-step pattern and realizing this could easily be pieces or spaces on a board game,” she explained. “I frequently try to have active learning opportunities in my courses so students can better engage with the material.”
Cadaret implemented the game in her 300-level undergraduate Animal Reproduction course last fall, and students responded positively, finding it fun and informative.
“I want my students to feel accomplished and more aware of their knowledge,” Cadaret reflected. “I hope the game highlights areas they need to improve, so they are better prepared for assessments.”
By visualizing the reproductive process through the board game and answering questions, students shift from simple memorization to a deeper understanding of the subject.
Learn more at csustrata.org/technology-transfer/available-technology/the-reproductive-trail.
The Reproductive Trail™ is designed to reinforce key concepts in a hands-on format, especially useful for large lecture courses with limited lab access. For licensing inquiries, contact Jessy McGowan at jessy.mcgowan@colostate.edu.