Who says learning about the electrical grid can’t be exciting? During playtesting this summer, cheers, groans, and spirited debates filled the room as players raced to balance power generation and demand, keep the lights on, and outsmart their opponents. The source of all this energy? Microgrid Mastermind a new educational board game designed to make learning about the electrical grid engaging, empowering, and memorable.
The project was led by students Sakshi Jani (Biological Systems Engineering) , Katie Morland (Environmental and Sustainability Studies), and Jada Vogel (Mechanical Engineering), who teamed up with BSE faculty members John Hay and Jenny Keshwani to bring the game from concept to production. Sponsored by the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCESR), Microgrid Mastermind blends engineering, creativity, and hands-on learning into a tool that sparks curiosity about energy systems for players of all ages.
Over the summer, the team finalized the game’s design, developed realistic scenarios, and prepared the game for manufacturing. Along the way, they expanded their knowledge of real-world energy systems through field trips to OPPD’s North Omaha Power Station and Loup Power District’s Hydroelectric Plant. “Seeing how these facilities operate helped us make the game more accurate and authentic,” said Jada Vogel. “It gave us a better understanding of how decisions in energy production have real impacts.”
For Sakshi Jani, the project blended technical skills with creativity. “It was exciting to take what we’ve learned in class and turn it into something interactive that can help others understand complex systems,” she said. Katie Morland agreed, adding, “The collaboration between our team members and the industry partners made this project even more meaningful.”
Special thanks go to OPPD and Loup Power District for welcoming the team and sharing their expertise, and to NCESR for their continued support in making Microgrid Mastermind a reality.
The next phase? Bringing Microgrid Mastermind into classrooms, outreach programs, and community events. By combining play with problem-solving, the game invites players to step into the shoes of energy decision-makers an experience that’s both fun and thought-provoking.
Keep an eye out: you might be spinning the spinner on your own microgrid challenge soon.
