Three Generations–One Educational Cause
Today, we’re proud to share a contributed blog post from our friend Mike Burke. We’ve gotten to know Mike through Dig-It! Games artist, Mikel Wellington–Mike’s son. He’s been a visitor to the studio and we were glad to have him with us on our field trip the Baltimore Museum of Industry last month. Read on to find out what Mike’s been working on behind-the-scenes…
Every successful business is the end result of a visionary CEO, Chairman or General Manager who takes their concept from an idea to a reality. Suzi Wilczynski is such a visionary. The vision? Dig-It! Games. They believe in the power of games to blend fun and learning. Suzi and her team of extraordinary artists, programmers, and producers have found a way to retain the interest in learning among all students, particularly at the middle school/junior high level.
I’ve had the good fortune to meet Suzi and to visit the Dig-It! Games studio, nestled in the heart of downtown Bethesda, MD. Attending one of their staff meetings (often referred as collaborations), I quickly learned this exclusive and non-traditional exchange of ideas fosters an unrestricted flow of thoughts, and concepts, “giving [the team] the opportunity to learn without the fear of failure,” according to Dig-It! Games artist (and my son), Mikel Wellington. This is the same opportunity that Dig-It! Games provides kids, with the use of game-based learning in the classroom.
Right now, Dig-It! Games is working to develop a long-term science adventure for students called BEAKER, expected to release in early 2016. The team is working with middle school teachers to build the game, which will focus on the Periodic Table and chemical reactions.
The storyline and characters are what help immerse students in any game. In Mayan Mysteries and the Loot Pursuit series, students empathize with Charlie and Fiona—quirky, similarly-aged kids like them. For a brand-new game, Dig-It! Games is creating brand-new characters.
Education has always been a part of my family’s fabric of Life. My dad, a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education and my mom, an M.A. in English. One of the main characters in BEAKER will be based on my father, Dr. Gerald Burke. Together, Mikel and I have been researching his life.
My father was born in the Ogis section of Miami, FL. During his early childhood years his family moved to Belle Glade, FL where they became migrant workers. Picking beans and cutting sugar cane in the hot South Florida sun was motivation for my father and his brother, Robert to graduate high school and college (Florida A & M University) with honors and degrees in Chemistry and Biology respectively.
After a couple of decades teaching in Palm Beach County Schools, he pursued and received a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education in 1971 from Michigan State University. He returned to Palm Beach County Schools’ Suncoast High as a classroom teacher. My father retired in 1991, having left a strong impact on the lives of his many beloved students—both inside and outside the classroom.
The character of Dr. Burke will be leading players through BEAKER from start to finish, providing helpful hints and direction within the game. I wish I could tell you more now—but stay tuned on the blog for more information behind-the-scenes as BEAKER gets closer to the finish line!
A friend of the Dig-It! Games studio, Mike Burke enjoyed a successful 30-year career in Washington radio working for United Broadcasting Co, Radio Broadcast Communications, Inc., Radio One, WHUR Howard University Radio, Metro Networks and Bonneville International/WTOP as a Traffic Anchor & Reporter. Currently, he is an on-air personality with WFLM in Florida.
Your father was the most memorable teacher I ever had. When I came home from Navy bootcamp, he was the only teacher I went to visit at Suncoast. I remember him saying “ well Al, now all you need is a family and a mortgage.
He used to always say:” I get the butter from the Duck and I like lots of butter!!” And another was “no questions means you understand this material almost as thoroughly as I do.”
The last time I spoke with him on the phone, he had retired from. PBC Schools and we working on math for the NAFTA treaties. I was always middle row third seat. Once we got a new beautiful student, and he asked “Al, any questions?” And I. Replied “ none you could answer, Doc.”
He laughed , the class laughed, she turned red, I turned purple.
Just an amazing tower of a teacher . I never got the sports jackets and ties, but it was cool as it set him apart. He told us he started on pre-med then switched to math; I am so glad he did. Without him I never would have made it into the Navy’s Nuclear program, which turned into a 20- year career .
It was an honor to know the man.
Allen Smith, EM1(SS) USNR (Ret).
15 August 2020
Dr Burke was the best and most influential teacher I ever had. He taught me respect for knowledge and the hard work required to gain it and use it. Suncoast High – I had him beginning as a freshman’ in 1974 in advanced algebra. He was a gift and a fine example to all who were lucky enough to have him as a teacher. I used to love to “work for Doctor Burke”.
An honor to have had Dr. Burke as an educator! The only teacher I can quote. Dr. Burke understood how to get the butter from the duck! We are his little ducks! My favorite quote and the one that rings true to this day for me, “he who shuns the dust of the arena, may enjoy the shade of the olive tree.” He was the master at finding a way to excite you into the works of math. Thank you so much Dr. Burke.
Gena Bos