ESA Grant Proposal Samples

Extended Summary
Please summarize the mission of your organization and briefly explain the project for which you
are requesting funding and why your organization is uniquely qualified to successfully complete
this project. (500 words or less)
Polymorphic Games embeds concepts of evolutionary science in video games to teach principles
of evolution, and make these concepts fun and easy to learn. Our summer camps, hosted at the
University of Idaho, aim to interest students in the STEM fields before college. Evolutionary
concepts can be difficult to teach, in part because some have viewed evolution as conflicting
with widely held beliefs. Factors such as this hinder the overall accessibility to a well-rounded
education where evolutionary concepts serve as a foundation to life science, as well as many
other branches of science including anthropology, agriculture, and even computer science.
Because of the diverse demographic of gamers that exists, Polymorphic Games can easily reach
students interested in our unique focus. Incorporating the principles of evolutionary biology into
video games models the interactions of the world we live in. Enemies that survive in a wave of
a game create offspring and become more difficult to defeat, just like the evolution of antibiotic
resistance in microbial pathogens we see countering medicine today. Applying this understanding
of natural selection, where the fittest species will prevail and bear offspring, players reached by
Polymorphic Games can understand how disease adapts to biological control measures, and
alternatively, why other species are so fragile against human interference. A biological factor in
video games can be the stepping stone that makes a gamer aware of the environment inside and
outside of their games story world.
Our program founders, professors Barrie Robison and Terence Soule, are well versed in the
concepts behind Polymorphic Games, having taught these concepts for years. A coalition of
educators spanning 12 departments at the University of Idaho has since formed into what
Polymorphic Games is today. At our studio, undergraduate students develop video games that are
continually worked on in the fall and spring semesters. Upon the final game release in the spring,
these video games will be available to interested K-12 teachers to serve as educational tools to
help their students understand complex topics like evolution. These games will also be available
to any interested gamers through our website PolymorphicGames.com.

Statement of Purpose
There are several small towns in rural settings near the University of Idaho where students have
limited access to and experience with technology and science. The two summer camps will give
these students the chance to try out the games we create, as well as learn more about video game
creation and STEM fields. The camp participants will get to learn the basics of coding and game
design, as well as conduct experiments and meet scientists and engineers. These camps will also
show students the exciting opportunities STEM-related careers offer and encourage them to
continue their education in these fields. Our goal is for half of the camp participants to be female,
a group that is underrepresented in the STEM fields. Students in these camps will have a level of
exposure to topics such as computer technology, video game design, evolution, and biological
principles that they may not be able to get in their communities.
Funding Request
This funding request is based on the creation of two summer camps to test our recent videogame
that teaches evolutionary biology principles, as well as exposure to computer coding and design.
Both camps will be sanctioned by the University of Idaho and catered by Sodexo, a catering
company partnered with the university. Polymorphic Games will also hire two full-time
education students who will work during the summer, planning and preparing the necessary
arrangements for both summer camps.
Plan of Operation
The goal is to fund two summer camps for elementary and middle school students in the
Moscow-Pullman area.
Summer Programs
February- Begin the process of hiring two education students for full-time
summer employment. As well as inform area elementary and middle-schools of our
summer camps and begin open registration for the application process.
Mid-April- Final decision in the employment of two education students.
May- Organize and finalize applications from elementary and middleschool students that will attend both camps.
June 12th- Finalize catering arrangements with Sodexo for first camp.
June 19th Prepare staff on camp activities and itinerary.
June 26-30th First camp.
July 1-16th- Make adjustment to the game and the second camp based on
evaluations from the first camp.
July 10th Finalize catering arrangements with Sodexo for second camp
July 17th Prepare staff on second camp activities and itinerary.
July 24-28th- Second camp.
July 29- August 21st- Make game adjustments based on the evaluations
from the second camp and prepare the game for the fall semester classes to continue
work.