Innovation isn’t always about billion-dollar labs or world-changing patents. Sometimes, it’s about finding playful new ways to level up how we think and learn. At Colorado State University, faculty and students are turning complex subjects into interactive experiences—games and activities that transform serious ideas like climate action, reproductive science, and policy into challenges you can play through. These tools prove that sometimes the best way to grasp serious concepts is to play with them.
Carbon Countdown™
Carbon Countdown™, created by former Impact MBA student Aidan Lawton, transforms CSU’s Climate Action Plan into an engaging, collaborative board game where players implement projects to cut emissions and balance trade-offs over six rounds of play. Designed as both a teaching and planning tool, it helps participants grasp the complexities of sustainability strategies while highlighting the importance of collective action.
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The Reproductive Trail™
Developed by CSU Professor of Animal Sciences Caitlin Cadaret, The Reproductive Trail™ turns the journey of sperm through the bovine reproductive system into an interactive game. By combining anatomy-based challenges with active learning, it helps students move beyond memorization to a deeper understanding of reproductive physiology.
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More-than-Human Lexicon Deck
The More-than-Human Lexicon Deck, created by CSU English Professor Erika Szymanski and her team, uses 57 cards of words, images, and concepts to spark fresh approaches to science, policy, and multispecies interdependence. This innovative tool encourages reflection, reframes conversations, and helps participants explore more inclusive perspectives.
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Whether big or small, every idea has the potential to make a difference. CSU Strata supports faculty and staff by protecting intellectual property, connecting innovations to real-world opportunities, and fostering meaningful impact. To explore the process or submit a disclosure, visit csustrata.org/technology-transfer.