Loam: The Game of Soil Biodiversity

Max Helmberger (2022 Ph.D. in Entomology, MSU) completed the SGC during his Ph.D. before successfully launching Loam: The Game of Soil Biodiversity and Pest Quest with Cardboard Revolution.

Combining Max’s interests in bugs, biology, and games, Loam teaches players about biology’s role in soil health through card matching and creature collecting, while Pest Quest players must develop a cooperative strategy to manage a pest infestation on a farm. Max previously taught at Boston University, where he designed a course on educational boardgames, and has recently returned to MSU as an Academic Specialist.